Living With Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma And Fighting Depression

When living with non-Hodgkins lymphoma there are many ups and downs, mentally, physically, and spiritually on the road to surviving cancer. Here are a few of the do's and don'ts that I've learned as time went on during and after my non-Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosis. If they helped me become a cancer survivor, intact, beating the odds, why couldn't they help you? So here they are...

DO make sure you know and understand what your protocol is about while living with cancer, whether it's non-Hodgkins lymphoma, or any other type of cancer, to help maintain a level of control and reduce depression on your road to becoming a cancer survivor.

DON'T assume someone will stay on top of your protocol for you. Even doctors make mistakes from time to time!

DO take medications that are intended to help cure you of cancer EXACTLY when scheduled. Sometimes depression can be medically induced, so be proactive, be on the offensive while battling non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

DON'T be careless when it comes to taking medications intended to aid in your end goal - surviving cancer. Missing a dose and doubling up the next time scheduled, or not taking it at all could take a major toll on your odds of surviving non-Hodgkins lymphoma, or any other cancer for that matter. That's depressing!

DO make sure you stay focused on what is right with your life while living with cancer, even in the midst of the non-Hodgkins diagnosis, and throughout the protocol. Optimism, positive thinking, love, and humor all help to lessen depression, and make all the difference in the world when working toward becoming a cancer survivor.

DON'T dwell on the misery, the unknown, and the "I should have(s)" in life. Actually, all the word "should" does is induce guilt, whether living with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, or otherwise. Moreover, being negative while living with cancer is draining, both physically and mentally. And shutting loved ones out of your life during such a difficult time could be lonely and depressing!

DO make sure you get up in the morning, take a shower, get dressed, and if possible try to get some fresh air to help prevent depression. And remember, beauty comes from the inside out. People who truly care about you do not love you for your hair; they love you for the whole person you are. Cancer, including non-Hodgkins lymphoma, does not have the power to take away true love.

DON'T stay in your pajamas and robe all day. When you look good you feel good. And when you look happy, confident, and optimistic about your life, you look good... not depressed!

DO get busy LIVING when diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Face it head on! Deal with it in the best way you know how, keeping in mind that it's always a good idea to ask for help whenever you feel depressed. Always remember to take another step onward, and with a smile. You CAN THRIVE while living with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, or any other type of cancer. Surround yourself with positive people and positive feelings. By doing so positive energy will come your way. You CAN be happy living with cancer. The choice is yours!

DON'T wait for the non-Hodgkins lymphoma protocol to end before you start living life once again. Do not let a cancer diagnosis or depression keep you from moving forward. Your dreams and goals may have to be reprioritized; nevertheless, keep your eye on your goal - surviving cancer. Don't choose misery over happiness! If you allow misery to take over than there will be many great experiences you might have missed, and remarkable people you could have had the chance to meet. Time doesn't stand still while you're living with cancer, why should you??!! Do not give non-Hodgkins lymphoma the power to keep you from living your life to its fullest!

To read more about me and my story, or take a look at the book I wrote about my experience titled, "The Will to Live: The Perks of Cancer Through the Eyes of a Survivor", a cancer survivor book, please visit my website at http://www.erinley.com/

by Erin Ley, Author/Presenter
President
ONWARD PRODUCTIONS, INC.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erin_Ley

By Erin Ley

Read More

Why Early Detection of Slow Growing Lymphoma Is Difficult

There are over 30 types of lymphoma that have so far been detected and they can be grouped according to a variety of criteria. One such criterion is how fast the cancer is growing and so lymphomas are generally classed as either slow growing or fast growing. Slow growing lymphomas can be very difficult to detect because they rarely exhibit symptoms while they are still in an early stage.

As their name suggests, slow growing lymphomas take a relatively long time to grow to a size that starts to affect the body. Initially slow growing lymphomas will confine themselves to one specific area of the body. This is normally a lymph gland or a site close to a lymph gland and because they stay confined they don’t affect any other organs or tissues. The only outward sign of early stage lymphoma is a painless swelling of the affected lymph glands however this swelling can easily be missed or ignored by the patient. Even if it is noticed it is often attributed to a simple infection and no more notice is taken of it until it starts to become uncomfortable.

It may be over a year before sections of the confined lymphoma start to break off and travel to secondary sites in the body. Lymphoma affects the lymphocyte cells of the immune system and as such it has the ability to travel through the lymphatic system and in the blood stream. When the lymphoma cells do start to migrate to other areas the immune system tries to eradicate them and it is at this stage that the first systemic symptoms are experienced by the patient. These symptoms might include fever, night sweats, abdominal distension, unexplained weight loss and occasionally anemia i.e. chronic fatigue, tiredness and pale skin, although the exact symptoms will depend on the area that the migrating cells invade.

Often it is at this stage that the patient first visits the doctor and a provisional diagnosis is made. A number of medical tests are required to confirm the diagnosis and these tests will not only provide information regarding the exact type of lymphoma that is present, they will also say whether the lymphoma is fast or slow growing and what stage it has reached.

Unfortunately, many cases of slow growing lymphoma have reached a late stage by the time they are detected and diagnosed. This means they have spread to numerous areas of the body and so are a lot more difficult to treat effectively. There will also be a lot more cancer cells then the body can easily cope with and they may have infiltrated areas that are incredibly hard to treat such as the liver and bone marrow. For this reason it is important to consult a doctor whenever swelling of the lymph glands is noticed or any of the other lymphoma symptoms mentioned above are experienced. It is highly likely that the swelling and symptoms are caused by a minor illness however it is well worth finding this out as early as possible.

For more information and resources on hodgkin's and non-hodgkin's lymphoma, other types, symptoms of lymphoma, treatment, the stages of lymphoma, medication, research, solutions and facts, visit Jeremy Parker's comprehensive reference guide on lymphoma. Also get your free copy of the "Lymphoma Information Guide" report at http://www.LymphomaResources.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Parker

By Jeremy Parker

Read More

What Exactly is Lymphoma?

Lymphoma is not a single disease, it is in fact a group of diseases in which the cells of the immune system become cancerous and begin to divide and multiply in an uncontrolled manner in a lymph node. Initially a single lymph node may be affected however the cancer may quickly spread around the body through the lymphatic system so that other nodes and also other tissues, such as the bone marrow, become affected.

A number of the immune system cell types can become cancerous including the T cells and the B cells which are the body’s two main defense mechanisms against illness and infection. The immune system cells are carried in the blood stream and through the lymphatic system and so the lymphoma cancers can be very mobile and affect areas of the body far from the original cancerous site.

The fact that you have swollen lymph glands does not automatically mean you have a lymphoma cancer because there are a number of other diseases which cause the lymph nodes to swell; in fact any disease which requires the assistance of the immune system will cause mild swelling in many of the lymph glands. If however you have swelling in a single gland that is painless and symptom free then you should make an appointment with your doctor just to check it out.

There are various types of lymphoma cancer however the two main types are Hodgkin’s disease and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Hodgkin’s disease is characterized by painless enlargement of one or more lymph nodes, most commonly in the chest, neck and armpits. If the caner has spread from these initial sites then fevers, night sweats, weight loss and bone pain can also occur. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is the more common disease of the two, may start in exactly the same way however the patient may also develop an enlarged spleen, anemia and general malaise.

Because the lymphoma cancers are so mobile a sufferer can often experience symptoms in other areas of the body that they would not necessarily associate with cancer which means that unless you know what to look for i.e. swollen lymph glands, you may well dismiss the problem as being due to a simple illness, such as the flu, as this also causes many of the symptoms displayed by lymphoma patients. Also, because the cells of the immune system are primarily affected a person with a lymphoma cancer will quickly become more susceptible than usual to even the weakest pathogens i.e. their immune system becomes weaker and fails to protect the body from disease.

The good news is that as with other forms of cancer, lymphomas are treatable and so anyone diagnosed shouldn’t give up hope of leading a long and healthy life. You need to find out as much information as you can about the illness and find coping strategies that work for you and your family. You will need to undergo either chemotherapy, radiation therapy or possibly a bone marrow transplant however lymphoma patients today have a high survival rate and many people are cured of the disease totally.

For more information and resources on hodgkin's and non-hodgkin's lymphoma, other types of lymphoma, symptoms, treatment for lymphoma, medication, research, life after being diagnosed with lymphoma, solutions and facts, visit Jeremy Parker's complete reference guide on lymphoma. Also get your free copy of the "Lymphoma Information Guide" report at http://www.LymphomaResources.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Parker

By Jeremy Parker

Read More

How Is Leukemia Treated?

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. There are two types of leukemia, chronic and acute, which are treated differently and have different symptoms. Acute leukemia rapidly progresses and needs immediate, aggressive treatment. Chronic leukemia can take months or years to show symptoms and may not need immediate treatment but will require ongoing monitoring.

Chemotherapy utilizes chemicals to treat the cancer. It causes many side effects such as hair loss, nausea and decline of the immune system. The complete course of therapy can be from two to five years including maintenance. This is the most common form of treatment for leukemia with the desired result being total remission. Even without symptoms, ongoing monitoring must occur to guard against relapse.

Radiation therapy is another form of treatment. It is painless and in low doses causes very few side effects. Where the radiation is concentrated and the exposure levels will determine the side effects, if any, and the severity of them. Damage to the skin, swelling and infertility are among the possible side effects.

A bone marrow transplant is an effective way to prolong the life of cancer patients. It is, however, a risky surgery and requires a donor which can be difficult in attaining. These surgeries should be performed at state of the art hospitals specializing in cancer treatment. This surgery has a high mortality rate and is therefore used only in life threatening cases.

Immunotherapy is a means to stimulate the immune system so the body can attack the cancer cells. This type of treatment is still in its early stages and continually under development. It is believed that this type of treatment may prove less harmful than chemotherapy or radiation therapy and may someday supplant these treatments as a method for treating cancer.

Long term effects of leukemia treatments may cause anemia. This side effect can be treated by blood transfusions or platelet transfusions. There are risks with transfusions but it is believed transfusions will help reduce the threat of additional complications such as heart attacks. Doses of antibiotics are also generally prescribed to leukemia patients to help counteract the danger of infection cause by declined immune system or treatment side effects.

There are currently almost 200,000 people in the United States diagnosed with leukemia and an estimated 35,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. It is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 20. There are many treatment facilities throughout the United States specializing in cancer treatment. Early diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and monitoring will help prolong life and increase chances of a person going into remission.

by: Gray Rollins

articles source
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_4490.shtml

Read More

Leukemia - Blood Cancer

My wife was suffering from Acute Leukemia. She died on 23rd Jan 2008. Her disease was diagnosed very late when she was in the 3rd stage. When I came to know about the fact, I did intense search on the internet and gained knowledge about the Leukemia. Had I known those facts earlier, her life could have been saved. I have collected some information and I am uploading it on blog so that it can help some one.What is leukemia? In simple words it is, "Too many white blood cells in the body". Blood contains three types of cells

RBC - Red Blood Cells (Carry Oxygen)

WBC - White Blood Cells (Also called leukocytes, they are part of body's immune system. These cells have several subcategories and they have roles to fight with the invaders such as bacteria, viruses and foreign proteins.

Platelets - Helps in blood clotting.

These cells are produced inside bone marrow that presents inside the bone cavities. Leukemia affected bone marrow produces large number of abnormal white blood cells making patient extremely fragile to infection. Leukemia can be acute or chronic. Acute Leukemia is most dangerous.

Examples of Acute Leukemia are.

• Acute myelocytic leukaemia (AML)

• Acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL)

Examples of Chronic Leukemia are.

• Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)

• Chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML)

It is possible to have chronic leukaemia for months or even years without knowing it.

What are the symptoms?

• Tiredness due to Anemia.

• Paleness of the face.

• Bruising easily even without falling. A purple/dark red spot around bruise indicates less platelet count.

• Repeated Infections.

• Weight Loss.

• Loss of appetite.

• Fever.

• Sweats.

• Enlarged Lymph Glands.

• Fever.

• Enlarged spleen cause enormous pain in the stomach.

• Bleeding from Gum, Nose and Ears due to lack of platelets in the blood stream.

What cause Leukaemia?

The causes are not very clearly known some reasons are...

• Genetic Effects.

• Exposure to retroviruses.

How it is diagnosed?

Many times it is diagnosed by chance when blood test is performed for other reasons. Doctors can diagnose based on the blood reports but bone marrow test is used to confirm the diagnosis. Special test such as chromosome study is performed to classify the Leukaemia.

What is the treatment?

It usually involves intensive chemotherapy. Drugs are given as injection into veins. Other chemotherapy drugs such as fludarabine (Fludara) may be used in late stage disease. In bone marrow failure steroid treatment is given to recover the bone marrow. Chemotherapy drugs are very strong and have some side effects like fatigue, loss of hair and loss of appetite. It also kills the healthy bone marrow thus making patient weaker. These drugs can not distinguish between healthy and ill cells. Milder cases can be cured by regular blood transfusion. X-ray therapy (Radiation) given to infected lymph or to whole body depends on the level of the disease. In some cases bone marrow transplant can be done but this is very expensive treatment and out of the reach of a poor common man. Patient need a matching bone marrow donor as body easily rejects foreign bone marrow. Fifty to sixty percent patients live normal life after bone marrow transplant. Since this disease can occur any time again so regular monitoring is required.

I hope that this article would be informative. I am also writing an article how cancer can be cured using Pranayam, Yoga, Food and Natural herbs. I will also talk about the website alternative cancer care and about the Green Blood.

Pradeep Mamgain is the founder of http://www.cgsutra.com site and http://blog.cgsutra.com blog - a free 3D/Graphics tutorial site dedicated to the students accomplish professional skills. He also maintains a personal blog http://pradeep.cgsutra.com dedicated to good health and positivity. He mainly writes on Yoga, Meditation, Mantra Power, Computer Graphics Industry, Software and Technology.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pradeep_Mamgain

By Pradeep Mamgain

Read More