Hodgkin’s lymphoma, otherwise known as Hodgkin’s disease, is a type of cancer that affects the blood stream, starting in the lymphocytes.
Research and medical developments into treatments and even the entire eradication of all signs and symptoms of the disease are being looked into on a daily basis, and a life with Hodgkin’s lymphoma has far less of a bleak outlook than it once did.
So, with that being said, continue reading to discover a helpful and informative guide to Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Make Yourself Aware of the Symptoms
Especially in the early stages of coming to terms with your Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis, it can be difficult to figure out how to differentiate between what you learn from being the result of your disease, compared to signs and symptoms of something else or, indeed, a negative side-effect of treatment that needs to be addressed.
Aside from the primary signs, which are swollen, painless lymph nodes in your groin, underarm, or neck, Hodgkin’s lymphoma can also show itself in the following ways:
- Regular night sweats (where you are completely soaking in the morning)
- Swelling of the stomach
- Pain in the chest
- Itching and irritated skin
- A fever above 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Sudden weight loss
Develop a Practical Plan to Move Forward
The Moffitt Cancer Center is a prime example of a prominent research and treatment facility dedicated to providing patients with comprehensive, individualized treatment and supportive care.
Practical matters, such as time off from your professional role, childcare considerations, assistance with travel costs, and any necessary changes to your home, are all things you should seek help to manage and arrange.
You might also benefit from asking for extra help around the house, or consider hiring professional services to keep on top of chores if you don’t have anyone to rely on.
Not only will spending time considering such matters make for a smoother transition to living with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but this will also go a long way to focus your thoughts and give you the motivation to get up, get dressed, and make the most of your time each day.
The Differences Between Hodgkin’s & non-Hodgkin’s
Especially if your close friend, partner, or other family member is living with the illness, it pays to conduct enough research into the exact nature of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and, more specifically, the differences between this and other similar diseases.
The key differences between Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include the following:
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma can affect people of any age, although it usually afflicts those between the age of twenty and forty years old, whereas non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma typically shows in people who are over the age of fifty-five
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the rarest types of cancer.
- There are only six types of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, but over seventy types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Pay Attention to Your Diet
Adjusting your life to living with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and certainly through the treatment stages is multi-faceted, but in terms of what you eat on a daily basis, a simple, balanced diet is definitely best.
Ensure that you consume enough fruit and fresh vegetables daily, as well as a variety of complex carbohydrates (such as oats, starchy vegetables, and beans) and chicken, eggs, lentils, fish, and other types of proteins.
One of the most important things to know regarding diet is to ensure that you are consuming the right amount of calories that your body needs daily, as you need to maintain a strong and healthy muscle mass as you undergo treatment.
Find the Strength to Help Yourself
Obviously, having the support and love from the closest people in your life is crucial when learning to live with the diagnosis.
Some people will need constant assistance and support, not wanting to be left alone with their own thoughts and actions. Still, for others, they will want to take the bull by the horns and do everything they can to motivate themselves to think positively at every step of the way.
It may well be the case that you have no interest in learning about the ‘ins and outs’ and the details of what is happening in your body or what surgery or other forms of treatment will involve, and this is, of course, your prerogative.
The final and perhaps most important thing to remember is that, far from having to paint on a smile and appear to your loved ones as if you are taking all this in your stride (unless, of course, you actually are), you need to be honest and open with how you feel.
Taking steps to help yourself, such as making small decisions, will help bring you a sense of independence, freedom, and control over your day-to-day life, and setting goals and targets for each day will help you move through your treatment.
Also read: 5 Physical Signs of High Cholesterol
