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Living With Cutaneous Lymphoma
or treatments might. Communicate this to your physician so that you can
try other treatment methods to alleviate negative side effects.
Cutaneous lymphoma is a disease that can change the way you look.
Dry patches, skin redness, plaques, skin ulcers, and tumors can show up
anywhere on the body. Chronic itching and discomfort, plus a change in
appearance, can alter how you feel about yourself. You may lose interest in
socializing, which can lead to feelings of loneliness or depression. That’s
when it is extra important to talk with someone and share your feelings
with others who’ve experienced what you’re going through.
Some patients feel at first like they are broken individuals. Eventually, they
come to accept their diagnosis and not let it define them. Attitude does
affect treatment outcomes.
Ultimately, know that it’s ok and normal to have fears, concerns, and
feelings of frustration. You do not have to face this disease alone. Gathering
supportive friends and family around, and asking others for help, are two
ways to ease fears and challenges.
Consider hiring someone to take care of household or yard chores when
you are not feeling up to it. And if things get increasingly difficult, your
healthcare provider or insurance company can recommend skilled-care
individuals to help with skin care, dressing changes, or to check on your
condition.
Emotionally, you may feel a roller coaster of feelings over the course of your
disease. At times you may:
• Feel fear, anger, or concern
• Not believe you have cancer
• Feel out of control and unable to care for yourself
• Feel sad, helpless, guilty, or lonely
• Wonder if you will live or die
• Become depressed
These and other feelings are normal and they are ok. Nothing is wrong
with you if you experience a variety of intense emotions as you learn to live
with a chronic disease.
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