Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Stories: Stage 4 Survivor Shares Her Entire Treatment Journey | Mags' Story

Mags Bujalski was diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, subtype primary mediastinal b-cell lymphoma (PMBCL).

In this The Patient Story interview, she bears all in talking about everything from her R-CHOP chemotherapy, to a rush to treatment that prevented her from being able to even consider fertility preservation, to all the mental and emotional stresses of cancer, especially as a young adult.

We will also update with time codes when the transcription is done.

[anothercampervanchannel]

After listening to many cancer stories, it seems to be a common factor that people were VERY busy before diagnosis. I've never heard anyone say 'yeh, I just used to go for walks, watch a bit of tv, sleep...'. It's always-'i was super busy, went to school, had a fulltime job, ran 40 miles a week, looked after my family, volunteered....' Perhaps we can learn something from that? We need balance in life. We ned to get enough rest. At rest is when the body repairs itself. It's said we all have cancer cells in our body and perhaps they get a chance to take hold when we never rest or are in a constant state of stress? Just something to consider I think 🤷‍♀

[ramseshassan]

I have the exact same cancer. I'm on my last round of chemo. It feels great hearing someone else's story and knowing I'm not alone

[morningstargaming]

I was 15 when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma specifically DLBCL, 6 sessions of chemotherapy, almost 4 years remission and I’m still anxious I’ll experience it again. Anyways, Godbless us all🙏🏻

[MagsBujalski]

I had such a wonderful time during this interview! Thank you very much for the opportunity, Stephanie☺️

[vampkillr]

I recently just found out that I have lymphoma only two days ago. I should find out what type today. I’m extremely scared. I have extreme anxiety. I fainted from the bone marrow wounds. I’m only 17 years old and i felt my life was just about to start. I turn 18 in just a few weeks. Watching these videos help me. I hope that after I get rid of this cancer, I can come onto here and share my story. I got misdiagnosed for seven months straight. 😢

[deithraaudreytienda]

Hi! I have the same diagnosis as Mag's but sadly I suffered multiple biopsies, chest tube and pigtail insertions, pleuredisis and such. And I'm starting my RCHOP chemotherapy next week. This interview made me feel like okay wow now I can relate my my pain to someone.

[roselucht]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer and during my journey of assorted scans and then a biopsy they discovered I also have Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in my retroperitoneal abdomen upper and lower. Almost two weeks ago I had my double mastectomy ( 3 different cancers in my breasts ILC in my right breast and lymph nodes, and two aggressive cancers that never showed up on scans on my left breast, The day before my surgery I saw my Oncologist and found the result of my bone marrow biopsy. He said it’s slow growing but it is B-cell and is 70% in my bone. It is stage 4. He said the good thing is it’s treatable and as I start to get symptoms he will treat it, every 3 months I’ll see him and I’ll have blood drawn every 3 months - he wanted to have me get through mastectomy first”. He made an appointment for me July 9th, next week when the pathology reports will be back. Blessings to you and praying for the very best for you!

[EleniBelle]

My beautiful mom just got diagnosed with lymphoma yesterday. I'm trying not to panic and this video helps us keep being positive 🙏

[Tanks-Link]

I did EPOCH-R for 9 month’s in February-November 2018 and it did not work on me, then a Car-T Cell transplant 12/2018 and again epic fail, so now i did a bone marrow transplant on the 7/6/2020. i have a High Grade B-Cell Triple Hit Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma with MYC, BCL2 and BCL6. I received a 14/14 Allo stem cell bone marrow transplant, and to be honest I’m doing awesome. I am at +151. The tricky thing is you have to be considered in remission to be eligible to get the bone marrow transplant. Luckily I was able to do a mixture of drugs that are in a trial at UCLA and the second I was in remission I was able to do the bone marrow transplant. now i’m in complete remission.

[evieswegsda]

My Grandad Was Diagnosed with Stage 2 B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lyphoma 3 Years Ago and the Tumor was in the Left Hand Side of His Neck and it Damaged His Vocal Cords, and His Voice Still Hadn’t Gone Back to Normal After a Year and at That Point They Said it was Very Unlikely That His Voice Would Ever Go Completely Back to Normal, and the Damage was Likely Permanent But Thankfully He’s On Remission Now and He’s Ok and That’s the Most Important Thing

[stevefabian]

What a strong and positive person. Very mature and honest. Two months ago I noticed a small lump on my left neck. Had a fine needle biopsy which found no malignant cells and the needle aspirated mostly liquid and shrunk the lump a lot. Results were deemed inconclusive though showing some atypical cells so its suggested to get a core biopsy.. I haven't decided to do that yet. The aspiration really reduced the lump.

[jamie]

Brilliant video, so clearly explained and a big comfort. I was also diagnosed with Stage IV Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in July and at first they weren’t sure whether it was Lung cancer or NHL, it was really strange but when I was diagnosed I felt more than anything relief it was lymphoma rather than lung cancer. The RCHOP chemo really didn’t make me sick at all (the chemo was much less daunting than I thought and the nurses were brilliant) thankfully now the tumour has gone thanks to the chemo I’m about to have clean up radiotherapy as a precaution to help prevent it from returning.

[shanew]

I was recently diagnosed with type b cell primary brain lymphoma, non hodgkins. My family and I are terrified. The local oncologist suggested RMT chemotherapy. I haven't started anything and trying to decipher staying local or going to the Mayo out of town. I'm only 44 male. it's crazy.

[freewillietoday]

Thanks for such a positive outlook. I just received my first Petct Inj and will get my results in a 9 days.

[apwmojack]

I was diagnosed in March of 2023 with non Hodgkin's lymphoma dlbc then after my first scan it came back stage 4;with no symptoms. I had some other under lining medical issues I had to work on by the 3rd week of July I started my first round of r chop, I did 3 sessions before the next scan showed it wasn't working . I also had no down time I worked up to the day I go in for tests and chemo and went back to work after . Now my mass is back and worse .I just underwent a collection of my t cells . Now I was supposed to start radiation to attack the mass .but I'm afraid I won't be able to do it from the pain and limited range of motion . Out of the whole journey this is the only time I'm kinda scared of what I'm going to do now . If I can't do the radiation I'm ready for another round of chemo .but they need to start it ASAP . Just so they can get the brain MRI before my transplant . I figure this whole thing was God's way of bringing me back to him .I know he won't put more in me then he knows I can handle so i get to drive 2.5 hrs back to the mato clinic.just to not be able to get radiation . It's Saturday .the earliest I could get chemo would be Monday . The not knowing is the most frustrating.

[WeezerPort]

We are so glad you did decide to share! Went through breast cancer treatment in about that same time! Great Job!

[renaekelly]

Great interview, so many great questions that I want the answers to, currently waiting on my full diagnosis from my biopsy results.

[fanta.soda]

I’m watching this because rn I have most if not all the symptoms of lymphoma and I’m trying to go the doctor tomorrow I’m scared, this interview is helping a lot

[jenniferboughton]

Thanks for sharing, praying for you beautiful!

[sharongreenberg]

One doctor I saw recommended R-Chop, another recommended Benemustine and Retuximab. Hard to choose.