Bongino: "I Will Be A-OK"
- Conservative commentator Dan Bongino, 46, said he will have his last chemotherapy treatment Tuesday in an interview where he assured fans he’ll beat cancer.
- Bongino is fighting Hodgkin lymphoma, one of the two major forms of the blood cancer lymphoma.
- Having a positive attitude like Bongino's can actually help you fight cancer.
Bongino was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in October after discovering a lump of his neck that he initially believed to be a lipoma (a fatty tumor). He is currently undergoing chemotherapy to treat the disease and has told fans that his prognosis is very good.
“God willing, this will be in the rearview mirror by February,” Bongino told SurvivorNet in a recent interview.
Many of Bongino’s most passionate supporters took to Twitter to share their support and excitement as his cancer treatment nears its end.
Stay strong @dbongino! Remember cancer is a word, not a sentence! I had cancer three time, radiation, chemo, surgeries and I am here to give hope to others. When your feet hit the floor each morning, put on your gloves and get ready to fight! God Bless you & your family!
Don (@dfcjeep) December 25, 2020
@dbongino God Bless you Sir. I struggled through Cancer and Chemo too and I give it 2 Thumbs Down as well! I pray for you nightly. God is Great and he will Stand By Your Side and Give You Comfort and Healing. You are a True Blessing. ðŸ’ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ’ðŸ™ðŸ»ðŸ’ðŸ™ðŸ»
{🌟}🥀 Saphina 🥀 {🌟} (@Saphina77) December 27, 2020
What is Lymphoma?
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. These cells are a key part of your immune system, which helps your body fight off diseases and other threats.
Related: Age, Race, and Exposures Might All Factor Into Lymphoma Risk
The two most common forms are Hodgkin lymphoma, which Bongino is fighting, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These two diseases are fundamentally different in how they behave, spread, and respond to treatment.
As SurvivorNet has previously reported, the difference between the two lies in the white blood cells: if doctors can detect Reed-Sternberg cells, which are giant cells derived from B lymphocytes, in the blood, the cancer is diagnosed as Hodgkin. If no Reed-Sternberg cells are detected, it’s diagnosed as non-Hodgkin. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common; Hodgkin lymphoma is more treatable.
Dr. Elise Chong explains why your type of lymphoma matters
The ideal treatment for lymphoma patients depends on what variation they have as well as how far the disease has progressed. Both forms can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation.
Bongino previously told SurvivorNet that he and his doctors were in agreement that they didn’t want to pursue the most aggressive treatment option available.
“My doctors and I are in the conclusion that we were going to go light on the chemo as we could and the radiation. We know we’ll hope for the best and hope it never comes back.”
For people like Bongino facing Hodgkin lymphoma, immunotherapy might be a promising option. Checkpoint inhibitors like Keytruda, which activate your immune system to fight against cancer, might be a viable treatment option if you’re facing Hodgkin lymphoma.
Talk to your doctor to see if immunotherapy is right for you.
The Power of Mindset
Throughout his lymphoma battle, Bongino has stayed remarkably positive, balancing the demands of fighting cancer with his career as a prominent conservative. Now, as he hopes his ce
When he announced his diagnosis, he told his supporters, "We'll be okay. I am optimistic. It's not some act I'm putting on for the show. I've got good doctors, good family, good support network, great friends, and the best audience in the business."
His loved ones were also a critical source of support. After receiving his diagnosis in October, the 6’1″, 225 pound former Secret Service agent called the first person he could think of: his mom.
“The first person I called was my mom,” Bongino previously told SurvivorNet. “I didn't know what else to do. I just kind of broke down a bit.”
He continues to host his chart-topping podcast and approaches both work and treatment with an attitude of overcoming.
Having a positive outlook and support system like Bongino’s benefits more than just the heart it can actually help patients live longer. Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview that he’s “pretty good at telling what kind of patients are going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who have gratitude in life."
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