Fight, Flight, or Both? Randy’s T-Cell Lymphoma Journey
Fight, Flight, or Both? Randy’s T-Cell Lymphoma Journey
Fight, Flight, or Both? Randy’s T-Cell Lymphoma Journey
By Emmanuel Nwodo
By Emmanuel Nwodo
In 2022, retired banker and North Carolina native Randy Hondros was diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), a rare and aggressive blood cancer. After receiving treatment, he was relieved to be declared cancer-free. However, when the cancer returned, access to care under T-cell lymphoma specialist, Salvia Jain, MD, was crucial.
Randy’s cancer journey includes two stem cell transplants and several treatment centers. Today, Randy is in remission and emphasizes how the care and support he received at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) positively influenced his recovery.
In 2022, retired banker and North Carolina native Randy Hondros was diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), a rare and aggressive blood cancer. After receiving treatment, he was relieved to be declared cancer-free. However, when the cancer returned, access to care under T-cell lymphoma specialist, Salvia Jain, MD, was crucial.
Randy’s cancer journey includes two stem cell transplants and several treatment centers. Today, Randy is in remission and emphasizes how the care and support he received at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) positively influenced his recovery.
After getting diagnosed with PTCL, Randy completed chemotherapy treatment and was declared cancer-free. He then received an autologous stem cell transplant, using his own healthy stem cells to restore his bone marrow. Unfortunately, just three months later, his cancer returned.
Determined to find other treatments, Randy began searching for clinical trials to join. However, his physicians determined that his lymph nodes weren’t large or active enough for trial eligibility. Instead, they referred him to the University of Virginia Cancer Center for continued care. There, Randy underwent PET scans every three months to monitor disease activity. After two years of monitoring, the scans finally showed enough lymph node activity for him to qualify for a clinical trial.
After getting diagnosed with PTCL, Randy completed chemotherapy treatment and was declared cancer-free. He then received an autologous stem cell transplant, using his own healthy stem cells to restore his bone marrow. Unfortunately, just three months later, his cancer returned.
Determined to find other treatments, Randy began searching for clinical trials to join. However, his physicians determined that his lymph nodes weren’t large or active enough for trial eligibility. Instead, they referred him to the University of Virginia Cancer Center for continued care. There, Randy underwent PET scans every three months to monitor disease activity. After two years of monitoring, the scans finally showed enough lymph node activity for him to qualify for a clinical trial.
Randy getting bloodwork
for his first transplant
An Unmatched Comfort Level with Dr. Jain
An Unmatched Comfort Level with Dr. Jain
After researching treatment options, Randy discovered studies showing promising results from combining the chemotherapy drugs duvelisib and romidepsin. At the time, he was receiving care at Duke University Hospital, where his medical team was initially hesitant to pursue this treatment regimen. Feeling uncertain, Randy turned to his friend Jen Brennan–a fellow T-cell lymphoma survivor–who connected him with Dr. Jain. During his first meeting with Dr. Jain, Randy recalls feeling “a comfort level with her that I haven't had with many of my other oncologists.”
After researching treatment options, Randy discovered studies showing promising results from combining the chemotherapy drugs duvelisib and romidepsin. At the time, he was receiving care at Duke University Hospital, where his medical team was initially hesitant to pursue this treatment regimen. Feeling uncertain, Randy turned to his friend Jen Brennan–a fellow T-cell lymphoma survivor–who connected him with Dr. Jain. During his first meeting with Dr. Jain, Randy recalls feeling “a comfort level with her that I haven't had with many of my other oncologists.”
Randy then returned to Duke and persuaded his care team to try the duvelisib/romidepsin regimen. After three rounds, he was declared cancer-free and cleared to go to MGH for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, a procedure that replaces damaged stem cells with healthy ones from a donor.
Randy describes his experience at MGH as exceptional and expresses deep gratitude to everyone involved in his care–including hospital staff, nurses, Dr. Jain and Steven McAfee, MD, clinical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program. “Every time I had a little hiccup, they were right there to address it,” said Randy.
Randy then returned to Duke and persuaded his care team to try the duvelisib/romidepsin regimen. After three rounds, he was declared cancer-free and cleared to go to MGH for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, a procedure that replaces damaged stem cells with healthy ones from a donor.
Randy describes his experience at MGH as exceptional and expresses deep gratitude to everyone involved in his care–including hospital staff, nurses, Dr. Jain and Steven McAfee, MD, clinical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program. “Every time I had a little hiccup, they were right there to address it,” said Randy.
Randy then returned to Duke and persuaded his care team to try the duvelisib/romidepsin regimen. After three rounds, he was declared cancer-free and cleared to go to MGH for an allogeneic stem cell transplant, a procedure that replaces damaged stem cells with healthy ones from a donor.
Randy describes his experience at MGH as exceptional and expresses deep gratitude to everyone involved in his care–including hospital staff, nurses, Dr. Jain and Steven McAfee, MD, clinical director of the Bone Marrow Transplant Program. “Every time I had a little hiccup, they were right there to address it,” said Randy.
Randy (left) with one of
his nurses at MGH
Randy (left) with one of
his nurses at MGH
Support from Family and Friends
Support from Family and Friends
Randy credits his wife, friends, family, and associates for supporting him through the toughest moments of his treatment. “I received over 300 cards of support while I was at MGH,” said Randy.
He’s especially grateful to his friend Van, who ensured Randy reached MGH in time for his allogeneic stem cell transplant. Because Randy’s immune system was severely weakened, he couldn’t fly commercially–and the drive from North Carolina to Massachusetts would have taken too long. Thanks to Van, Randy was flown to MGH on a private jet to receive his life-saving treatment just in time.
Randy credits his wife, friends, family, and associates for supporting him through the toughest moments of his treatment. “I received over 300 cards of support while I was at MGH,” said Randy.
He’s especially grateful to his friend Van, who ensured Randy reached MGH in time for his allogeneic stem cell transplant. Because Randy’s immune system was severely weakened, he couldn’t fly commercially–and the drive from North Carolina to Massachusetts would have taken too long. Thanks to Van, Randy was flown to MGH on a private jet to receive his life-saving treatment just in time.
Randy believes there is great value in sharing information and experiences about T-cell lymphoma, particularly because the disease is so rare. “The more information that’s shared, the more it can help others on their cancer journeys,” he said. “If it weren’t for Jen Brennan, I might not have met Dr. Jain or received the treatment that led to my remission.”
Today, Randy remains active on message boards and social media, offering guidance and encouragement to others with T-cell lymphoma. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and family. “They’re the reason I went through years of treatment,” he said.
Randy believes there is great value in sharing information and experiences about T-cell lymphoma, particularly because the disease is so rare. “The more information that’s shared, the more it can help others on their cancer journeys,” he said. “If it weren’t for Jen Brennan, I might not have met Dr. Jain or received the treatment that led to my remission.”
Today, Randy remains active on message boards and social media, offering guidance and encouragement to others with T-cell lymphoma. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and family. “They’re the reason I went through years of treatment,” he said.
Randy (right) with his friend
Van (left) outside the private jet
Randy (right) with his friend
Van (left) outside the private jet
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved
@2025 PETAL Consortium • All rights reserved