Fellow Cancer Fighters
In the coming weeks and months, I plan to start uploading videos to the new BBC23 YouTube channel under the following categories:
Cross-Disciplinary Care Team Members and Cancer Researchers to Learn What Inspired Them
Fellow Cancer Thrivers and Current Patients Who Want to Share Their Journeys and Provide Hope to Others
Cancer Patient Support Network, including Family and Friends, since Diagnosis has Ripple Effects and I Want to Hear from Them Too
Employees, Volunteers, and Donors linked to impactful institutions who Raise Funds for Cancer Research like EMF and The Jimmy Fund
Musicians Who Write and Perform Songs or Other Artists or Produce Art that Provide Meaning to Fellow Cancer Fighters
Bob’s Frontline care team and their departments
(For Now, Please find Links to some of the people, teams, and Practices who impacted me the most along with my version of their role):
Omar Arnaout, MD - Neurosurgery: Dr Arnaout is the man who first offered hope when he told me that based on what he saw of my Brain MRI on top of the litany of other scans I had done earlier (like a lumbar MRI) that he believed I might have something called CNS Lymphoma as opposed to a cancer that started elsewhere and spread to the brain. PET Scan confirmed his intuition, and weeks later he performed brain surgery, successfully removed one of my tumors, and confirmed via biopsy that I did indeed have CNS Lymphoma.
Ugonma Chukwueke, MD, MPH: Dr Chukweke and her talented team led the Induction Therapy portion of my cancer treatment plan (Phase 1 post surgery). I could not have moved on to Consolidation if the Induction Phase didn’t eradicate the 2 tumors that could not be removed by surgery. I am grateful to have them on my side as I now meet with them every 4 months (having recently graduated from every 3 months in February 2026) to review my ongoing brain MRI results. Rest assured, the June 2026 Brain MRI is still showing no signs of cancer.
Reid W Merryman, MD: Dr Merryman and his wonderful team led the Consolidation Therapy portion of my treatment plan. This included an Auto Stem Cell Transplant coupled with an aggressive cocktail of intense chemo and a month-long plus stay at the hospital. To this day, I remember how he clearly laid out in plain “not a doctor” English writing it out on a piece of paper what my treatment options were and where each path could lead.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute CNS Lymphoma Center (CNSLC): The CNS Lymphoma Center (CNSLC) at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center is the first center of its kind in the world dedicated to providing comprehensive care and research for patients with primary or secondary CNS (central nervous system) lymphoma. With the most advanced treatment options available — including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, and with extensive clinical trial options — our center is uniquely qualified to treat patients with CNS lymphoma and advance the outcome of patients with these tumors. (NOTE: Bio borrowed from DFCI link)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Lymphoma Program Treatment Team: The Lymphoma Program treatment team includes physicians and clinicians with extensive experience caring for patients with lymphoid tumors, as well as conducting research of lymphomas. (NOTE: Bio borrowed from DFCI link)
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Center for Neuro-Oncology: The Center for Neuro-Oncology offers state-of the-art treatment for patients with brain tumors, spinal cord tumors, and neurologic complications from cancer. Our specialists work to ensure you receive coordinated treatment and support. We focus on helping you cope with your illness and maintain the quality of your life. (NOTE: Bio borrowed from DFCI link)