David’s Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Fight

My husband David was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma a type of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in March of this year. This cancer is rare and treatable but unfortunately not curable. 


In late December into January he started feeling some shortness of breath. We were on vacation when he had a very hard time taking the stairs and we decided he would see his primary doctor when we got home. The blood work revealed that his hemoglobin and platelets were very low. We were very hopeful that his anemia was just caused by low iron and we started him on a high iron diet and supplements.


After a few other tests to rule out problems with his lungs and heart we were referred to a hematologist. More blood tests, a bone marrow biopsy and an abdominal lymph node biopsy revealed the diagnosis of Mantle Cell Lymphoma. 


We were happy that his PET scan revealed the cancer had not spread to other organs. It was however diagnosed at Stage lV because his bone marrow is affected. 


His doctor has gone after this aggressively with chemotherapy. He had a treatment schedule of cycles 1,3 and 5 being an all day chemo infusion on an outpatient basis. Cycles 2,4 and 6  required him to be admitted to the hospital for 3 days each time. Between each cycle he had 3 weeks off. His first cycle was March 20th. His last session was July 5th. 


Now that the chemo is done he will have a stem cell transplant (bone marrow transplant) at the U of MN.  This cancer is not curable so it will return in the future. The stem cell transplant is done in hopes of prolonging remission. We will both be off of work for a minimum of 6 weeks and David will be out for longer during his recovery. He has already used up all of his PTO time during chemo treatment so his time off is all unpaid. Once I have exhausted my vacation time my time will also be unpaid. 

He will also be on maintenance therapy for at least three years after the transplant. This will require him to go in every 2 months to be infused with Rituxan. 


He has been admitted to the hospital twice for neutropenic fever and has had multiple transfusions due to low hemoglobin throughout his chemo regimen. 


Of course all of this means a financial burden with time off of work for both of us, unexpected bills and a high insurance deductible for years while he continues maintenance therapy.


This has been a journey like no other and we still have a long road ahead of us. We are lucky to have wonderful family and friends near and far. He also has an incredible oncology team.  We can’t thank Dr. Chang and the team at Ridges Cancer Clinic enough for the amazing care they have given David!
 
David and I met 12 years ago and were married last summer June 3 on the 11th anniversary of our first date. He’s the father of two incredible sons that are 22 and 17. We have had a pretty perfect life together! Kind of feels like the rug was pulled out from under us with this awful cancer diagnosis, but we will continue to fight!!


We appreciate anyone who is able to donate❤️


You can follow his journey at:  https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidhortenbach