Bongino Stays Active Through Treatment
- Radio host Dan Bongino, 46, is currently fighting Hodgkin lymphoma and has stayed active throughout his battle, continuing to work.
- Bongino is treating his disease with chemotherapy, which can sometimes cause fatigue.
- Keeping a positive attitude through the cancer journey can help a prognosis.
Bongino’s Cancer Battle
Bongino’s cancer was diagnosed after he discovered a lump on his neck, which he initially believed to be a lipoma, a fatty tumor. The lump was surgically removed and led to a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma. Related: "My Chemo Smirk!" Radio Host Dan Bongino Shares Treatment Picture As He Fights Hodgkin LymphomaBongino is treating his disease with chemotherapy, and recently shared an update from treatment showing his “chemo smirk,” he wrote playfully. Bongino shared a picture from his treatment in early December.
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The effects of chemotherapy treatment can be wide-ranging. Dr. Renata Urban told us in an earlier interview what patients can expect when they have chemo. She said, “There’s going to be some suppression of the bone marrow, meaning items such as anemia, low platelets, your blood-clotting cells, lower white blood cells, your infection-fighting cells. One of the drugs that we use, called paclitaxel, will cause hair loss.”
Related: Chemotherapy Side Effects: Fatigue
Dr. Urban said that she discusses the effects with her patients, so they know what to expect. “So I address both that the hair loss is going to happen and what potential strategies are available to reduce that from happening,” she said. “There’s also a risk of something called neuropathy, which can range anywhere from a numb, tingly feeling in the hands and feet to a painful feeling in the body. And so I review the potential for that and the importance for patients to bring those symptoms to our attention. I think one symptom that often gets overlooked is fatigue or tiredness.”
What You Think You Know about Chemotherapy Side Effects May Be Wrong
Keeping a Positive Attitude Through Cancer
Bongino has been impressively upbeat throughout his cancer journey and has maintained a positive, determined attitude. We admire his vulnerability in sharing his diagnosis with the world and showing both strength and emotion as he opens up to listeners about his battle with Hodgkin lymphoma.
Related: A Major Step in the Cancer Journey: Learning to Deal With Vulnerability
Dr. Zuri Murrell told us in a previous interview how much a positive attitude can affect the cancer battle. “My patients who thrive, even with stage 4 cancer, from the time that they, about a month after they’re diagnosed, I kind of am pretty good at seeing who is going to be OK. Now doesn’t that mean I’m good at saying that the cancer won’t grow. But I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”
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