Hi, My name is Rich Franco. On July 17th, 2008 I was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. I have created this blog to journal my experience.
It all began on June 2nd, 2008. I was feeling pain in my chest, shortness of breath, and I had a nagging cough. I went to my doctor (Dr. Eric Hansen) who sent me for a chest x-ray and blood work. The chest x-ray came back showing enlarged lymph nodes so my doctor sent me for a C.T. Scan on the same day. This verified that there were enlarged lymph nodes and possible pneumonia. It was not clear at the time if the enlarged lymph nodes were caused by the pneumonia or if the pneumonia was caused by the lymph nodes. I was put on an antibiotic to try and knock out the pneumonia. Another C.T. Scan will be performed in about a month to see if the lymph nodes reduce in size. I will always be thankful to Dr. Hansen for taking such quick action.
In the meantime, I was sent to a pulmonary doctor who performed a bronchoscopy on June 9th, 2008. The results came back clear.
On June 27th, 2008 I had a C.T. Scan performed. My lymph nodes did not reduce in size.
On July 10th, 2008 I had a GI Series performed.
On July 11th I had a mediastinoscopy and endoscopy performed.
The GI Series and endoscopy were clear.
On July 17th, I met with the surgeon to get the results of the mediastinoscopy. This is when I was given the news that I had Mantle Cell Lymphoma. The surgeon immediately sent me to an oncologist (Dr. Michael Scola of Morristown Hospital). He was very reassuring. He did suggest that I get a second opinion with Dr. Andre Goy of Hackensack University Medical Center. I soon learned that Dr. Goy is one of the top experts on Mantle Cell in the country.
The morning of July 21st, Dr Scola performed a bone marow biopsy and a muga scan. Both came back clear.
On the afternoon of July 21st, I met with Dr. Goy. He offered me a place in one of his clinical trials. I discussed this with Dr Scola and he agreed that the clinical trial would be best for me. I will always be thankful to Dr. Scola for his compassion, advice and overall kindness. He was there for me on a day that was very difficult and he put the needs of me and my family first.
On July, 28th I had a PET Scan and another C.T. Scan. I am still awaiting the results.
My next appointment with Dr. Goy is August 1st, 2008.
I have officially embarked on my journey to fight Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
I continue to have a bad cough that is worse when I am talking or right after I eat. The doctors feel that the cough is caused by the lymphoma pressing against my pulmonary artery and/or esophagus
More to come...
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
