My partner aged 70 was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in June this year. His consultant will see him for the third time late September with a view to starting treatment within 2 weeks after. Due to him also having Atrial Fibrillation he is scheduled for Bendamustine and Rituximab Chemo for 2 days x 6 sessions every three weeks then a bi monthly maintenance injection after chemo stops. Fortunately I have no knowledge of how these treatments affect people and wonder if anyone can advise me what to expect. The drug explanation sheets are quite frightening!
Hi Lindasd and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am always sorry to see folks joining us. I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups.
I don’t have Mantle Cell Lymphoma but I was diagnosed way back in 1999 with a rare, incurable but treatable type of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Stage 4a so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I do appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
First we do have a dedicated Mantle cell lymphoma group so it would be worth posting on there as well.
My main chemo treatment was rather different but I did have rituximab as part of this and I had no real problem with it.
You can put Rituximab and Bendamustine (R&B) into the search 
tool near the top of the page, select ‘anywhere’ and look at the older posts and as always you can hit reply and see if the members are still looking in.
I developed A-Fib due to some of the chemo I had so I am now on heart meds (hit my community name to see my story) so these drugs are going to be less challenging than some of the other full on chemos used.
The sheets provided can be scary but it’s very unusual for anyone to get all the side effects…. I had some very strong chemo that had me as an inpatient for 5 nights/6 days for 6 cycles on my two IV pumps 24/7 for over 120hrs and honestly I did ok.
Yes the Fatigue built up over the treatments but it was do-able. Yes I had Nausea but was only ever sick once as the anti-nausea did the job. These clinical teams will be ‘on’ any problems and do remember that you will be given a contact name and number - use it if you are in any way concerned.
You may find this link helpful as he prepares for treatment Top Tips for the day of your Chemotherapy
I always highlight the Lymphoma Action website. The Bold link above are taken for the site. Lymphoma Action is a small but very active UK Lymphoma Specific Charity who have lots of good reliable information, videos and run regular Lymphoma Online Support Groups for patients with a few groups specifically for Family and Carers...... I highly recommend these groups as there is nothing better than talking with other who have walked the journey.
They also have a great Lymphoma Action Buddy Service where people can be linked up with someone who has walked the same treatment journey. They also have a Lymphoma helpline on 0808 808 5555 where Sharon or Nic will be on hand to give you some support - open every week day from 10 till 3.
Always around to help out as best as I can.
