Celebrating Survivorship: Robert Rainer

I was diagnosed in December of 2017 with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

After many tests, I started treatment on Jan 22. 2018. My treatment consisted of chemotherapy every 30 days-Rituxan, Bendeka, and Neulasta. I was prepared for the worst, expecting sickness, pain and all the other side effects that I heard about.

By the grace of God, the only bad experience I had was after the first Neulasta treatment. The next day I felt like I had the worst case of flu in the world; aches, pain, nausea, and extreme weakness. However, by the following day I felt almost normal. I had no other side effects during chemotherapy. I felt fine and was able to continue with all normal activities.

As of January 2019, I am cancer free, praise God. I am now in a three year maintenance program. I continue to receive the Rituxan once every 60 days. I still feel well and continue life as best I can, hoping to find a way to give back in return for all the blessings that God has given me.