Lots of our fair members correspond with Cindy. It seems that all the girls around here enjoy their growing cadre of pen pals.

Last month, Doug Bulen, a long-time member, wrote to Cindy about Constant Health. Turns out he’s been battling non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Cindy was touched by Doug’s story and asked if he would be willing to share his story with the rest of our fair members. He accepted and here’s his story.

OHC: Thank you for agreeing to talk to us. How are you recovering from your chemotherapy?

Doug: I'm excited to talk to you guys! I’ve been part of the Co-op for ages, since the very beginning, in fact. Anyway, it’s been 5 weeks since my last round of chemo, and it seems most of the chemicals have flushed from my body. The worst part of chemo for me was the severe tiredness, and that has passed also. I’ve learned recently that I will have 17 sessions of radiation, and I want to get started soon.

OHC: How did you find out you had non-Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Doug: In April of 2008, I had difficulty breathing through my right nostril. I thought it must be allergies, but by June I sought an ENT specialist. He found I had a deviated septum, and figured I must have broken my nose somewhere along the line. He performed outpatient septoplasty on my right nostril, and I began taking allergy medication. This helped for a couple months, but by August, I was still having trouble. Late in August, I developed a sinus infection and my ENT doctor ordered a CAT-scan.

My CAT-scan showed many polyps in my right nostril, and I had another outpatient surgery called a Polypectomy. Once they were removed, I could breathe better than I ever had in my adult life. Unfortunately, the tissue biopsy showed non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in my right sinus areas. Stunned, I took a deep breath. My ENT doctor said not to think the worst, that this was a rare location and that my condition was treatable.

OHC: How did your lymphoma diagnosis affect you emotionally?

The first thing I thought to myself after my deep breath was, “I’m gonna be a survivor!” I’m generally a positive guy. I can be a little cynical about the world if I watch too much news, but I try to stay positive. The first thing I said to my doctor was, “Okay. I’ve got my track shoes on. When do we start?” I’m more of a spiritual than a religious guy. I do know that I have a lot of people praying for me, and I know that helps. One thing that struck me was that I never thought I would get cancer. But, people get cancer, and I’m sure they all said “Not me!”

OHC: What did your doctor prescribe to treat your lymphoma?

Doug: I was referred to an Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist. Right off I had a full-body PET-scan which showed my Lymphoma was limited to my head, and now I know where the expression, "It’s all in your head" comes from!

Within a couple of weeks I began a specialized protocol of six chemo sessions, each three weeks, with radiation treatments to follow. I was treated with Rituxan, which attach to the lymphoma cells specifically, and then my immune system attacks those cells.

Rituxan works fast, so fast that for the first infusion I took a prescriptive medicine to help the kidneys process the dead lymphoma cells. There is a specific protocol for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, which is Rituxan and 4 chemicals, I call them "battery acid."

I was told that I could not have more than 8 Rituxan infusions, and I had 6. My overall chemo sessions lasted 5 hours each. After a couple of weeks, my hair started falling out and I got it all clipped.

After 4 chemo cycles, a second PET-scan showed that I had complete response to interval chemotherapy. I had 2 more sessions after that test.

My main side effects were tiredness, sore throats, and hoarseness which got more noticeable with each chemo treatment.

I also began experiencing some neuropathy in my finger tips in the form of fuzzy and tingly sensations which I did not like.

I was already using your Alpha Lipoic Acid with Acetyl-L-Carnitine, and I increased each from once to twice a day. I read about how neuropathy could be reversible and I couldn’t imagine not being able to button my own buttons when I got dressed each day.

In my studies, I came across information that linked supplemental alpha lipoic acid with protection against neuropathies. I’m very happy to report that I haven’t lost sensitivity in my fingers, and I attribute that to taking your Alpha Lipoic Acid, which works best in tandem with Acetyl-L-Carnitine.

OHC: Did your lymphoma diagnosis get you interested in health, or have you always been interested?

Doug: I’ve been interested in diet and nutritional supplements, in particular - for much of my adult life. People in my family have long joked that I’m "the guy with all the pills." We’re just not getting what we used to in our food. I’ve probably been fussier about supplements than my diet, but I (try to) stay away from fast food, soda, and most fats and sugar these days.

In May 2008, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes, which was a big shock to me. Lymphoma and diabetes are both associated with Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam vets. Did you know that over 100 diseases, including 14 cancers, have been associated with Agent Orange? It’s awful stuff with quite a legacy of pain and suffering among Vietnam vets.

Anyway, ever since I’ve been dealing with diabetes, I’ve become quite the label watcher. I’m shocked what’s in food -- so much high fructose corn syrup which is very bad for anyone. I actually have to work at keeping my weight up since I’m on such a low-carb diet for my diabetes.

I have learned quite a bit from all the information on your website too. I’m paying more attention to my diet and especially getting enough fiber these days. I’m certain I don’t get enough fiber in my diet, so I take your Fiber Fit as well as Constant Health.

OHC: What other supplements have supported you in your health and healing?

I’ve taken your Probiotics 16 for a long time, but for the first 10 days after each chemo session, it didn’t make sense to take them as so many are killed by chemo.

For the basics, I also take your Eye Protection, Vitamin D3, B-100 Plus, the Amino Enhancer, and my wife and I both like the Joint Complex. Did you know that I was one of the guys voting for you to keep your old HGH Enhancer, no matter what you ended up calling it?!

These days I’m interested in learning what I should and should not eat, as most doctors know nothing about nutrition. Oncologists, in particular, know nothing, and I feel that in general they are not interested in learning more about nutrition. It’s really unfortunate. I asked questions, got very little guidance on diet and supplements, so I used my best judgment. During chemo, I took Vitamin D3 twice a day as it is an immune system builder.

OHC: Why have you been loyal to the Co-op so long?