What Is Expected Of The Lymphoma Patient?
Shock and horror are the first reactions to a diagnosis of Lymphoma. Patients tend to drown themselves in melancholy thereafter. However, no disease can be cured without the active cooperation of the patient. He must learn to face the facts and fight the battle to the end.
An early diagnosis of Lymphoma increases the chances of a quick and efficient cure. If you or your family members have any of the symptoms of Lymphoma or suspect that you or your family members are likely to succumb to the disease due to a family history of it, it is necessary to consult your physician at regular intervals to ensure that you or others in your family are not developing the disease.
If someone has been diagnosed with the disease then it is time to identify factors which will help them get rid of it quickly and effectively. It is partly in the patient’s hands.
The patient can help the Doctor treat him by providing him with the following information:
- The complete family medical history;
- A list of people who suffered from the same disease in the family;
- Update on the symptoms and the side effects experienced during the treatment.
Additionally he could ensure that he is:
- Eating properly.
- Taking care of the body as far as possible and keeping one’s spirits high.
- Following the doctor’s orders carefully.
He needs to be fully aware of the disease and its impact on his life and the following facts:
- The type of lymphoma
- The stage of the disease
- The choices in treatment and the recommended treatment.
- Risks and possible side effects
- Durations of the treatment.
- Chances of success
- Cost of treatment.
- Changes in normal life
- The new treatments under study and whether you could be a subject of clinical trials.
The doctor will be concerned about particular allergies that the patient may be having like frequency of colds, pain, the medication already taken by the patient, alternative medicine he/she may be following and other medicines prescribed by other doctors.
Remember, there is a high chance of the cancer being cured, but there is also a good chance of recurrence. Many factors will play a role in developing the cancer again:
1. The type of lymphoma
2. The aggressiveness and the malignancy of the disease
3. The stage of the disease – the lower stage (I and II) has a better outlook than the higher stage (III and IV).
4. Other important factors that play a role are the absence of B symptoms, age, and gender and health conditions.
Recurrence of the cancer
Most patients have a fear of recurrence of the cancer. These thoughts do not help the patient and the depression, anxiety and restlessness present a cause for additional treatment. The patient must ask the doctor of his/her chances of having a recurrence. The patient must understand the doctor’s instructions carefully and do the following
- He/she must follow a strict diet and try to get back to normal life as much as possible.
- The person must attend regular check ups.
- Alcohol and excessive smoking can lead to recurrence. These must be avoided.
- Lymphoma is highly curable and new innovative methods are being found. One must not lose hope in the fact that someday a plausible cure could be found.
In case there is recurrence of any of the symptoms then the patient should immediately contact the doctor. The doctor will immediately perform all the tests to check if the cancer has returned. The patient should be admitted in the hospital and the treatment must be immediately started. Many people suffering from lymphoma have a high chance of developing a second cancer.
Remember a stitch in time saves nine. If your family has a history of the disease or you are a high risk category for Lymphoma, get yourself checked at frequent intervals. If you have already been treated for the disease, make the effort to go for regular check ups.
