Non-hodgkin's Lymphoma

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or non-Hodgkin's disease, is a cancer of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of lymph vessels, lymph nodes, lymphocytes, and organs, such as the spleen and thymus. The cause of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is unknown.
  
  
• You may be at higher risk of having this disease if you had cancer in the past. A weak immune system or an infection may also put you at risk. The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is having swollen and painless lymph nodes. Fever, pain or swelling in your stomach, back, or legs, sweating a lot at night, and weight loss are other symptoms.
  
  
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is diagnosed by a biopsy, a computerized tomography (CT), and other tests. Treatment may include surgery, bone marrow or stem cell transplants, radiation, or chemotherapy.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed.

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

• If you are getting chemotherapy, it is important to take your medicine exactly as you are told.
  
  

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Eating well with cancer and cancer treatment:

Good nutrition can:

• help you feel better during treatment and decrease treatment side effects
  
  
• decrease your risk of infection
  
  
• help you have more energy and feel stronger
  
  
• help you maintain a healthy weight and heal faster

Eat a variety of healthy foods to get the protein, carbohydrates, and other nutrients that your body needs. You may need to change the foods you eat depending on your treatments and side effects. You also may need to eat more calories than usual. Work with a dietitian to plan the best meals and snacks for you. Ask if you should add vitamins to your diet.

Drinking liquids:

Drink extra liquids to avoid dehydration (loss of body fluid). You will also need to replace fluid if you are vomiting or have diarrhea from cancer treatments. Ask your caregiver which liquids to drink and how much you need each day.

Wellness hints:

• Colds or the flu: Stay away from people who have colds or the flu. Ask your caregiver if you should get shots to keep from getting the flu and pneumonia. Also try to stay away from large groups of people. This decreases your chance of getting sick.
  
  
• Exercise: Exercise makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and helps keep you healthy. Begin to exercise slowly and do more as you get stronger. Talk with your primary healthcare provider before you start an exercise program.
  
  
• Rest as often as you need to. Rest is important for your recovery. Do not return to your regular activities too quickly. Start slowly and do more as you feel stronger. Rest during the day. Plan for 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Contact your primary healthcare provider if you are not able to sleep.

For support and more information:

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a life-changing disease. Accepting that you have lymphoma is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, depressed, angry, or sad. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Call or write one of the following organizations for more information:

• American Cancer Society
  250 Williams Street
  Atlanta , GA 30303
  Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 300
  Bethesda , MD 20892-8322
  Phone: 1- 800 - 422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

• The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc.
  1311 Mamaroneck Avenue
  White Plains , NY 10605
  Phone: 1- 914 - 949-5213
  Phone: 1- 800 - 955-4572
  Web Address: http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have back pain and weakness in your legs.
  
  
• You have chills, a cough, red or swollen skin, or feel weak and achy.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your radiation or chemotherapy visit.
  
  
• You have a fever.
  
  
• You are so depressed you feel you cannot cope with your illness.
  
  
• You are throwing up and cannot keep any food or liquids down.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about non-Hodgkin's disease or your medicine.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have chest pain, your heart pounds or races, or you have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You are too dizzy to stand or have trouble keeping your balance.
  
  
• You have a seizure.
  
  
• Your legs swell.
  
  
• You cannot think clearly or you feel confused.
  
  
• You feel weak or numb on one side of your body.

Learn more about Non-hodgkin's Lymphoma (Discharge Care)