Once the lymphoma diagnosis hit, it was a whirlwind of medical appointments, each aiming to unravel the extent of the lymphoma spreading through my body.
First on the list was a sit-down with an Oncologist, who laid out the game plan and the battery of tests that needed immediate attention. All I knew at this point was that I had “lymphoma.”
The journey started with a straightforward blood test, followed by a PET scan that, unlike a regular CT scan, involved a dose of radioactive material injected about 60 minutes prior to the scan. After chilling out in a dark and quiet room, the scan then reveals active (glowing) areas indicating the presence of cancer. Neither of these tests posed much of a challenge for me.
However, the bone marrow biopsy was a different story. Picture a needle navigating through your pelvic bone into the bone marrow, and a couple of samples being drawn. Sure, I was numbed up, but when it came to the bone marrow, no amount of numbing could shield me from the sensation. Interestingly, one of the lab techs had to step out for some fresh air during the procedure—I’m glad I couldn’t witness it.
Post bone marrow drama, the Oncologist checked in, offering answers to any looming questions I had. I seized the opportunity and inquired about the specific type of lymphoma I was dealing with. The verdict: non-Hodgkins Mantel Cell lymphoma, most likely “indolent”, given the absence of classic Mantel Cell symptoms.