Treating Cutaneous Lymphoma
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Relying on Friends and Family
For skin-directed treatments, you won’t need a friend or relative to drive
you home. However, you may find comfort in the support of someone
close to you when you go for phototherapies, topical therapies or radiation
therapies.
When it comes to systemic treatments, especially for the first cycle before
you know how you will react, it is a good idea to bring someone with you.
A caring companion can allay nerves or fears and, in the event that you
have an allergic reaction to a treatment and need relief from an agent like
Benadryl
, which can be sedating, you will take comfort in the presence of
another person who can help you throughout the treatment experience and
bring you home.
Even with chemotherapies, most people are not affected immediately
upon receiving treatment. Related nausea, vomiting, and other effects take
several days to occur, but it is always comforting to have someone at your
side so that anxiety doesn’t overwhelm you.
Post-Treatment Expectations
Certain classes of medicines are bigger offenders for side effects like fatigue,
nausea and other issues. Pace yourself and plan your time wisely. Do not
expect to be operating at the top of your game. Make sure to communicate
any and all side effects with your healthcare team, as many symptoms are
treatable, even nausea and vomiting. Be aware of your resources and take
advantage of your team of experts, who can guide you toward maintaining
optimal health and energy levels during treatments.
Managing Anxiety
Because some treatment methods can be confining or claustrophobic, you
may experience feelings of anxiety before or during treatment. Integrative
processes like hypnotherapy can be helpful in maintaining calm and
equilibrium as you face such challenges. Complementary care is often
helpful in achieving balance for your emotions and your physical symptoms.
Consider consulting with a nutritionist, reiki therapist, massage therapist,
hypnotherapy expert, acupuncturist, acupressure therapist, yoga teacher, xi
gong instructor or others to help you handle stress and maintain a sense of
control.
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