Reaching the Finish Line
- Radio host Dan Bongino has finished treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, according to his Instagram page: “It was a tough road. It's all over. I hope,” he writes.
- Fans from the cancer community cheer the father and husband on, sharing their own triumphs: “Our 18-year-old son started chemotherapy about the same time as you, and his last week is next week and then he will be doing that bell right!” One fan says. “Our prayers are with you for continued healing and fighting!”
- Dr. Elise Chong from Penn Medicine explained the difference between Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma to SurvivorNet: Non-Hodgkin is more common, but Hodgkin is more treatable and responds better to chemotherapy.
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This news is particularly inspiring for the cancer community. A fan also going through cancer chimes in on his post of reaching the finish line. “Couple more weeks and I get to ring the bell too!! Congratulations.”
“Recently celebrated two years in remission from stage 4 squamous cell. God speed Dan! You got this,” another writes.
A parent of a teenager going through cancer also shared in the host’s excitement. “Congratulations! All Glory to God! Our 18 year old son started chemotherapy about the same time as you, and his last week is next week and then he will be doing that bell right! Our prayers are with you for continued healing and fighting!”
Positive from the Start
The FOX News contributor had surgery to remove the tumor in his neck in early October of last year. Even when he initially found out that it was looking like lymphoma, the martial arts-enthusiast stayed positive. “I'm out of surgery & I feel good,” Bongino wrote. “They removed the whole tumor from my neck. The bad news is, it looks like lymphoma. The good news is, there are treatments options. Either way, we'll be okay.” And so far, it looks like he will be, thankfully.
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Processing the Diagnosis
Bongino had told SurivorNet that the first person he called was his mom when he found out that it was, indeed, Hodgkin Lymphoma. “I didn't know what else to do. I just kind of broke down a bit.” As many people do after getting diagnosed with cancer, he questioned how this had happened to him. “I said to my mother, 'I don't drink. I don't smoke. I've never done a drug in my entire life ever. Not one time. I work out five days a week.' I eat clean as a whistle and there's zero not a little, but zero cancer in my family." Then the husband and father went home and cried with his wife, Paula (the couple have two daughters, Isabel and Amelia). As far as his treatment plan, "We're going to go as light on the chemo as we can and on the radiation… God willing, this will be in the rearview mirror by February," the former Secret Service agent had said. It looks like he is right on track.
A Cool Dad
Bongino appeared on FOX & friends over the Christmas holiday and told viewers that he was tired from the chemo, but had his eye on the prize. “I've been working out and sticking to my routine. I've been tired. The chemo's rough. You got to get through it with a bit of a sense of humor, though. I tell everyone I give chemo zero stars on Amazon.” He then added a special message for his fans. “Thank you to all the viewers out there on FOX I get your emails I read all of your social media posts. Really, it's been heartwarming.”
The dad even brought his girls on camera for a special cameo, the perks of having a famous dad. When asked how it is having Dan Bongino as a dad, Isabel said, "It's pretty cool. We get to do a lot of cool stuff." His younger daughter Amelia chimed in, "Daddy's the best."
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The hardworking host posted a rare beach pic with he and his wife from their “first vacation in five years.”
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Understanding Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes, which work with your immune system to protect your body from diseases and infections. The two most common forms are Hodgkin lymphoma, which Bongino just finished treatment for, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
In a previous interview, Dr. Elise Chong from Penn Medicine explained the difference for SurvivorNet readers. “Dr. Thomas Hodgkin was the person who founded Hodgkin lymphoma. Hodgkin is a less common type of lymphoma. We tend to see this in younger adults, as well as in older adults.” she said. Hodgkin is characterized by Reed-Sternberg cells, which are giant cells derived from B lymphocytes, in the blood. “If no Reed-Sternberg cells are detected, it's diagnosed as non-Hodgkin.” Basically, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more common, but Hodgkin lymphoma is easier to cure.
Dr. Elise Chong explains why your type of lymphoma matters
The Power of Support
Bongino has been very fortunate to have his mom, wife, daughtersalong with his fanssupporting him along the way. For those who do not have close family or friends nearby, the support groups are out there. Talk to your doctor or social worker to find out more ways to communicate about what you are going through and remember you are not alone. There are fellow survivors, even those with your same diagnosis, who could be helping to cheer you on.
Cancer survivor Kelly Sargent credits her community in San Antonio, Texas to helping her through her journey, which she says has been life-changing. “When I was diagnosed, as soon as I got in the hospital, I started going online to find not only information, but also support groups, stories from survivors, anything that I could find as far as my treatment I definitely looked for,” she told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. “I have met some incredible people in San Antonio. Coming here not knowing anyone, I’ve been blessed with having met some incredible ladies. I have an incredible set of friends that I met after my diagnosis through a Bible study group that have become very, very close friends of mine that are an incredible part of my support system.”
The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
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