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My treatment free days are numbered [maybe]

I know I've made that same claim numerous times in the past, but for some reason, this time feels different.

For the third time this year I've been stricken with an upper respiratory infection, leaving me sidelined for the past several days. I am feeling [mostly] better now, but only because I relented, and started taking a cough suppressant. That's something I've tried to avoid ever since my diagnosis, but this time I figured, why not? I already conceded to taking a baby aspirin and a statin drug everyday, due to a heart issue I may or may not have, so taking a cold medication didn't seem much more a violation of that principle.



I've always tried to abstain from taking any medication [and vitamins and supplements] since my diagnosis, believing when the time does come to start treatment, the medications that I do take will be that much more effective. Not sure that is true, but it seems logical to me.

So while I'm not sure I do need treatment at this point, neither am I sure I don't, nor am I sure waiting any longer is such a good idea. My blood counts aren't getting any better, my spleen isn't getting any smaller, and I'm sensing all the other problems I am having may have something to do with my MCL.

Again, I'm not sure that is the case, but neither have I been sure of much of anything anymore.

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Alan said…
I'm no oncologist and you probably know more about MCL than I do, but I seriously doubt that viral URI's are related to your disease. Most cancers have increased risk of bacterial, fungal and some rare viruses (like CMV) but I don't remember ever reading that immunosupressed patients are more prone to "colds".

I didn't do the research, so let me know if I'm wrong. In any event I wouldn't use frequent "colds" as a reason to start chemo.
12:17 AM
Marc said…
I don't know that you're wrong. In fact you're most likely correct!

It's just the word "infection", in upper respiratory infection, concerns me. Increased infections are a symptom of lymphoma's, and a reason to start treatment.

I'll do some more research to confirm your belief.
12:32 AM
Ted Naughton said…
Hi Marc,
My father was just diagnosed with MCL. I've been out on the internet trying to learn what i can and have found your blog helpful. Thank you. I'm wondering if you can tell me/us a little more about your early history - how you learned that you had MCL, what led you to take the path that you did, what tests you might be taking if any to monitor its progress, how you will base your decisions going forward. Those kind of things. In my fathers case, he's 78. He doesn't have any symptoms. Last year the PEP test showed activity in his Thoracic Lymph Nodes. He did a biopsy at that time which was inconclusive. A recent PEP test shows that it may have spread to his spleen and his arm pits. Still, I believe that they consider his to be slow moving.
Thanks again. I wish you continued success.
8:42 AM
Marc said…
Actually Ted, it's all in blog somewhere. It will just take a little bit of work to find it all.

But briefly, I was diagnosed after a routine blood test. And I took the wait and watch approach after doing a lot of research, learning about some of the unique prognostic indicators, and talking to a number of doctors, here and in Europe, about the best approach.

I don't think there's really much else you can do. Macrobiotic diets, reducing sugar, exercise and other stuff may help, but I have my doubts.

Other than that, there's not that much I can offer. Hopefully it's enough.
2:06 AM
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