Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a very rare form of cancer that shows up mostly in men. However women do get this rare form of cancer as well. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes. Any lymph node can contract this cancer and it easily spreads throughout the entire lymph node network. Blood tests and biopsies are needed to confirm a diagnosis of this cancer. Some symptoms include: tiredness, weakness and weight loss. Once a diagnosis is made, immediate treatment is needed to eradicate the cancer cells and slow or stop the spread of this disease. Treatment with high dose radiation is needed for a successful treatment.

The amount of radiation needed will be determined by the physician in charge of the patient. The time and frequency of treatment will also be determined by the doctor. As with any type of radiation treatment, hair loss and loss of appetite are common in patients that undergo chemotherapy. Care must be taken that infection is treated immediately, so as not to weaken the already weakened immune systems even more. One side note, previous illness can weaken the body to the point that chemo cannot be taken as a treatment option.

Going through this treatment has been described as “hell on earth”. It is hellish for both the inpatient and outpatient in a hospital. The side effects are the same but how someone reacts to the chemo will differ from patient to patient. Some react violently, others will not. In a successful treatment, the cancer will go into remission sometimes for years. It may or may not show up again. However tests will always be needed to ensure that it doesn’t come back again. These tests will be done and re done as long as they are needed to determine the cancer’s treatment and best options for treatment.

However, there are times when even the best treatments will fail. The cancer will metastasize and grow despite the best efforts of the treating physician. At this stage, the best thing to do is to keep the patient comfortable and keep the pain from being over bearing. The patient’s comfort is all that is to be concerned with. The condition is now terminal. Arrangements for hospice may be made as a condition of release from the hospital. Most hospices require a DNR or do not resuscitate order. This means that if the patient stops breathing, then no other efforts will be made to bring the patient back from death.

At this time, the patient may want to have family around them. Long discussions may ensue as the patient wants to clear the slate. There also may be a lot of sleeping done in preparation for the patient’s crossing. They will also lose the taste for food. This is all normal. Others may hear the patient talking to long dead relatives. This too is normal. Patients may go through different emotions in a matter of a few minutes to several hours. This is in preparation for their final departure.