In April 2022, everything changed when Neil Manausa was diagnosed with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). It began subtly, his left leg started dragging, and he gradually lost peripheral vision on one side. What they assumed might be a stroke turned out to be something far more serious. A scan in the emergency room revealed a mass in his brain.
Within days, Neil underwent a biopsy. The diagnosis was Central Nervous System Lymphoma: a serious but treatable form of brain cancer. His doctors were clear: time was critical.
Treatment began quickly. Neil and his wife, Dawn, traveled to New York City for the first rounds of chemotherapy, later continuing treatment in Baltimore, traveling back home to Virginia between hospital visits. Chemotherapy was grueling, and just when they thought they had reached the finish line, Neil underwent a stem cell transplant to reduce the risk of recurrence. The journey lasted eight months.
Recovery proved more difficult than expected. The transplant wiped out his immune system, requiring him to repeat even his childhood vaccinations. Much of the process felt out of his control.
Throughout it all, Dawn became the steady force beside him. She researched specialists, connected with online support groups, and ensured they were always advocating for the best possible care. When Neil focused on getting through each day, Dawn focused on what came next.
Today, Neil is in remission. He continues regular follow-up visits, but life has settled back into a new normal at their farmhouse, where they raise chickens, grow vegetables, and remain active in their church and the PCNSL community.
Neil also spends time caring for honeybees on the property, a hobby that has become an important part of his life. Tending the hives symbolizes rebuilding, patience, and the quiet resilience that carried him through treatment and into this new chapter.
The hives even survived a harsh winter, though beekeeping is not always peaceful. Recently, high winds knocked over one of the hives. While trying to upright it, Neil was swarmed and stung multiple times, sending him to the doctor’s office and leaving him with the possibility of needing an EpiPen in the future. Despite the scare, he has no plans to give up the hobby. In fact, his local beekeeping group has invited him to mentor newcomers, affectionately known as “newbees.”
The experience transformed Neil’s perspective. Where he once might have heard difficult news and moved on, he now carries deep compassion for those who did not survive and for those who are struggling through treatment.
Together, he and Dawn support newly diagnosed patients, encouraging them to seek expert care and act quickly. They hope the future brings less toxic treatments and more consistent standards of care so patients do not have to travel far from home. Their goal is simple: better options that kill the cancer, not the patient.If their story helps even one person feel less alone or more empowered to ask questions, then sharing it is worth it.
