About Mort Diamond
Since this blog is now nine months old, I think it would be appropriate for me to again outline my personal story having non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Certainly, there are many new blog readers who are unaware of how I have become such a passionate advocate for radioimmunotherapy.
In December 2002, while asymptomatic, I was diagnosed with B cell, follicular, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, stage IV. Told that my disease is incurable, I searched for an experimental clinical study protocol as first-line treatment for my disease. I was most fortunate that my son, David, a radiation oncologist, could assist me in this effort. We found a study based at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute in Nashville, TN.
Over a period of 5 months I received Rituxan, CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and Zevalin. Treatments were taken at Florida Hospital Orlando, the closest facility to my home. Now, 3 1/2 years after therapy, there is no evidence of recurrence. The oncologists, in their medical jargon, tell me that there is no cellular or molecular evidence of lymphoma in my body.
Since diagnosis, I have been a vigorous advocate for patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. I sress the need for patients to assume an active participation in their treatment options and to insist on consultation with a physician experienced in radioimmunotherapy. In addition to speaking to many patient groups, I have made television commercials on radioimmunotherapy.
I am a retired cardiologist and am now a professor at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. My wife, Louise, and I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
Mort Diamond