A great deal has happened since I posted last. Please recall that I failed on 4 treatments of R-CHOP, and on November 2, 2012 I finished my 4th treatment of salvage chemo (R-ICE). Then last Tuesday - I had a PET scan, Wednesday - met with my onc/hem doc, and Thursday - met w/the stem cell transplant specialist. Results: The mesenteric mass that has been active, got more active, and the area of activity increased in size, so another failure. My onc/hem doc said that, aside from this is not good, that we are running out of options and suggested ESHAP or Gemcitabine w/Cisplatin, but lets find out what the stem cell doc recommends, tomorrow. The next day, I went to the stem cell doc, and heard that the stem cell transplant was now off the table, he was recommending either Gemcitabine w/Cisplatin or to talk to Bruce Cheson at Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown Hosp. (who I had been in contact with by email previously) about phase 2 clinical trials. Now for the good part, I asked the stem cell doc about my longevity due to this highly aggressive and uncontrolled disease - his response months to a year. WOW! I am sitting there, as healthy as you could be (just bench pressed 225 for 6 reps after not touching a weight for 5 months, and 4 days after a heavy chemo session), he talking about my future in a box. My wife was devastated, and I couldnt think about what was just said, since I was the promoter of a huge national bodybuilding and figure event in 2 days. The event went great and really helped keep my mind off of this axe over my head. On Saturday morning, the event day, at 7:15AM I emailed Bruce Cheson again, and by 7:30AM (believe it or not) he responded telling me to come in to see him. I contacted his scheduler and we booked an appt. for Weds (yesterday). On Tuesday, I met again with my onc/hem doc to go over what had happened the previous week. He considerably put my mind at ease, saying that while we do have less options, we DO have options. He said what I believe, that aggressive NHL is treatable, but it is just a matter of finding the treatment that works (before you get taken down - my thoughts). So lets hear what Dr. Cheson says tomorrow.

I went to see Dr. Cheson, yesterday. Quite an operation. Met with a nurse, then an oncology doc came in to discuss my case and go though my files, scans, etc.. Then she and Cheson talked before they came back in together. Bottom line: 1) I am not a candidate for clinical trials, since I have 2-3 different blood cancers, 2) after a great deal of thought he is recommending Bendamustine (without Rituxan since I have had 8 cycles of it, and only 3 weeks ago), and 3) he feels that we can get to our goal of having the stem cell transplant. They want all of my tissue slides from my upper leg (original biopsy - fNHL), bone marrow biopsy (lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma w/some mantle cells), and my abdominal biopsy (DLBCL) to have their lymphoma pathologists re-read them, along with the PET scans. This will all be brought up at the tumor boards on Tuesday morning. Then a week from now well start the Bendamustine (2 days every 21) for 2 cycles then scan again. Will probably do all of this at Georgetown for this treatment. Still want to work with my original doc, too.

So, mentally, I feel better since it appears that the axe is a bit premature. I feel confident that team Cheson and my doc are willing to move through the options to get me to remission (and then the stem cell transplant).

Therefore ... I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. And, thanks for being there for me (and all the rest).

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Orig. dx Stage 3A, Gr 1 fNHL (10/11 W&W for 6 mos). Then dx Stage 4, DLBCL w/10 & 11cm messenteric masses (Dx 5/12 w/new biopsy & PET scan). R-CHOP 4x (6/5/12) - failed. Currently R-ICE. 60 yrs. old, lifetime involvement in bodybuilding.