Need More Info On Mantle Cell

My husband was diagnosed in September 2007 through the fact that a scan showed an enlarged spleen.  He was not feeling ill at all and we were enjoying life.  Now he has no hair-is tired and pale.  He goes every day for a shot to keep up his white blood cells and now his red blood cell count is down to 10.2.  The bone marrow test shows cells as well as several lymph nodes.  He has an artificial aortic value and takes comadin now for 7 years.  He has had 3 chemo treatments and will have test after Christmas to see if the treatments have helped.  His spirits are high, at least on the surface and we are hoping for years.  Will he forever have to have chemo treatments?

Sorry to hear that your husband has joined this club.  MCL is something that you can live with.  While I am a youngster in this game, a little over 2 years post treatment, there are many out there further along.  Chemo can and mostly likely will do things to your body and stamina, each person reacts differently to the chemo.  The doctor should have given you a roadmap of what his treatment plan is for your husband.  Barring complications that is the blueprint.  Once he gets thru the initial treatment, whatever it is, then it's a matter of going in for follow up appointments and tests.

 Wishing you both the best on your journey.

   gj

On 12/21/2007 poopie wrote:

My husband was diagnosed in September 2007 through the fact that a scan showed an enlarged spleen.  He was not feeling ill at all and we were enjoying life.  Now he has no hair-is tired and pale.  He goes every day for a shot to keep up his white blood cells and now his red blood cell count is down to 10.2.  The bone marrow test shows cells as well as several lymph nodes.  He has an artificial aortic value and takes comadin now for 7 years.  He has had 3 chemo treatments and will have test after Christmas to see if the treatments have helped.  His spirits are high, at least on the surface and we are hoping for years.  Will he forever have to have chemo treatments?

I am sorry you are having to go thru this. My husband was diagnosed in 1/2007 with MCL, as with your husband he had no symptoms, just an enlarged spleen his dr. discovered during a routine office visit. My husband completed 6 rounds of R-CHOP and went into remission, his ONX suggested a stem cell transplant. In August is had a stem cell transplant, was out of work for about 60 days, has since returned to work and is doing fine. Still in remission, goes back in February 2008 for another bone marrow biopsy, and pet scan. I can just imagine how hard this is, I know because I too have had to go thru it. Best of luck, talk to your husbands Onx., about a stem cell transplant.

On 12/21/2007 Gregj wrote:

Sorry to hear that your husband has joined this club.  MCL is something that you can live with.  While I am a youngster in this game, a little over 2 years post treatment, there are many out there further along.  Chemo can and mostly likely will do things to your body and stamina, each person reacts differently to the chemo.  The doctor should have given you a roadmap of what his treatment plan is for your husband.  Barring complications that is the blueprint.  Once he gets thru the initial treatment, whatever it is, then it's a matter of going in for follow up appointments and tests.

 Wishing you both the best on your journey.

   gj

Thank you for your message.  My mom is in the middle of her chemo treatments for MCL, and is going to be having a stem cell transplant in the coming months.  It is so scary to look on the internet and see all of the negative survival statistics out there.  I'm so happy that you are healthy.  Have you heard of others that have been in remission for long periods of time?  I'd be so happy to hear of people who have lived in remission with this disease for long periods of time.

Thank you!