I have just passed finished my most recent test and scan week. Good news: I’m improving and my counts are where they should be. Unfortunately, I developed a rash on my neck, chest, and thighs Thursday morning. Historically, I would take some Benadryl and wait it out. It’s not itchy, just ugly. The oncologist, however, […]

Update: Early last week, a combination of environmental allergies and bad air quality got me. 4 boxes of Kleenex, a nightly dose of Benadryl, a negative COVID test (just to make sure it was allergies and not something more serious), and 2 nights of rain later – I feel better. Symptoms that I would have […]

We are now firmly settled into “the Oasis.” This week’s lab results and oncology appointment resulted in one happy oncologist and a big sigh of relief from my partner. The lymph nodes and spleen are no longer swollen and the labs are staying at or near normal. The white blood cell count is a bit […]

Update: According to the oncologist and my most recent labs – I am no longer generating cancer cells. It appears that I am responding very well to the Zanubrutinib. The only unusual side effect is spotting when I shave my legs or scratch an itch. No pain. The reaction is a reminder to stay careful […]

Update: The Zanubrutinib is still working and my blood test numbers are either within normal range or low as expected. No transfusions. No drama. Yay! I have made the first tentative steps towards re-starting my yoga practice. I was working on my 200-hr yoga teacher training certification at the time of diagnosis. It’s amazing how […]

The great news is that I have no news. No blood tests. No transfusions. No doctor’s appointments. No health changes. For now, life is stable and I’m feeling pretty good. I’m grateful for this inactivity. After 5 months, I’m finally getting some recuperative rest. My next blood test is on May 19th. My next doctor’s […]

The numbers are still trending in the right direction. White blood cell (immunity) and hemoglobin (“your blood works”) are both in normal range. Red blood cell (“your blood works”) and platelet counts (bleeding risk) are low, but that is to be expected with both the disease and the medication that I am on. They are […]

I am happy to report that we are still trending in the right direction. The spleen is still down. My stomach is almost as flat as my fitness self. More importantly, I can eat normal sized meals again. My appetite has returned and I am craving some of my favorite cuisines again – Ethiopean, Korean, […]

I started taking the Zanubrutinib (Brand Name: Brukinsa) last Monday evening. 2 80mg capsules in the morning, 2 at night. One week in – I have no negative side effects, the spleen is down to the point where I can lie on my stomach in bed for the first time since November, I’m off the […]

It’s official – we are moving from first line (the Rituximab + chemotherapy drugs) to second line therapy. I have a much better shot at getting relief with the new drug, Zanubrutinib. Zanubrutinib is a BTK (Bruton Tyrosine Kinase) Inhibitor. Mantle Cell Lymphoma is a B-Cell Lymphoma. The rough idea behind the BTK Inhibitors is […]