Being There for a Loved One with Lymphoma

There aren't many things in life that compare to having a loved one diagnosed with cancer. It's hard to even begin thinking about how to help them right after diagnosis—feelings of helplessness, sadness, and dread may set in. Ultimately, being there for a loved one is the best way to help. 

Read further to find multiple tips on living with and helping loved ones who are fighting lymphoma.

We will cover everything from emotional support to helping them deal with symptoms.

Below are the tips to help your loved one fighting with lymphoma live with it.

• Know about lymphoma- keep yourself updated about lymphoma and as much as possible research on the disease. For the lymphoma patient it can be very depressing and draining to relay their extent to the disease hence ask them whether they would like to record their next doctor’s appointment.  In this way they will not have to re-open their emotional wounds and you can listen to their recording and obtain information from it. In the first place make sure that they are okay about sharing the information. Some loved ones may provide emotional support by accompanying them to the doctor. Know the effect of the disease. Find its associated physical and mental symptoms. Get to know about typical treatment and when the treatment begins what to expect. Although it can be difficult since this disease is individualized. Symptoms and treatment and the response to treatment tend to differ from patient to patient. Communicate with your loved ones.

• Talk to them- have a conversation with your loved one as to how they want to go ahead with their life. Sometimes the patient is made feel bad by offering too much help. Hence when you take on responsibilities make sure that your loved one is comfortable with it. Do not let them overexert themselves. However during the recovery process they should talk to the doctor. Many may not need help daily.

• Take care of yourself also- often times people feel guilt if during the day they leave their loved ones alone and they are constantly helping their loved ones deal with the disease. However you should keep in mind that you too have a life of your own. Patients feel guilty when you give them too much attention, they will feel worse when you neglect your responsibilities or lose your job. Hence about the situation talk to your employer or professor. With any kind of emergencies to help deal your loved ones you may need to take time off or miss classes. Give assurance to your love one that there in helping them you are not going to face any negative repercussions.

• Understand their physical symptoms-The common symptoms of lymphoma are night sweats, tiredness, lumps and breathlessness. The patient struggles with these symptoms. The patient may also struggle with outdoor physical activity. To help them you can do some house hold chores. Whatever you do see to it that they are comfortable with it. If you don’t know something take help of an expert and you do not have to feel guilty about it.

• Understand emotional symptoms- when helping their loved ones, usually the person tends to focus on the physical and practical effects of lymphoma. Make sure that children, finances and dependants are taken care of. These things no doubt should be taken care of but another most significant aspect of the disease is emotional toll. There is lot of stress and depression accompanying the disease. The patient may feel loss of freedom and loss of physical endurance. What you can do is just be there with them, make them feel that you are thinking about them through a text, a phone call or a letter. Take them somewhere out such as concert, movies, or any place that they will feel better. Talk to them and listen to them as well. They might need to vent off their feelings since they are under stress, taking care of some of their responsibilities can reduce the stress. Just be there for them and let them know that they can count on you.