How to Live With Leukemia and Lymphoma

Millions of people in the United States of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia and lymphoma and other blood-related disorders. People living with lymphoma and leukemia face tremendous pressures and challenges and require a large support network of family and friends, as well as oncologists and other health care providers.



This article will provide some ideas and resources for improving the lives of those affected with lymphoma, leukemia and related blood diseases.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patient education
• Support groups
• Clinical trials
• Diet and nutrition
• Advocates and volunteers
• Cancer centers

1. 
    
   Medical Support

   Find out about the many support group programs that are available within your community. The oncologist and health care providers will offer you information and resources. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a great place to start (see Resources below). They have established over 250 local Family Support Group chapters throughout the United States. The Society's goals are to find new treatment modalities and new drugs for leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, non-Hodgkin's and Hodgkin's disease. There are many groups and programs available to help improve quality of life for those affected by leukemia and lymphoma.

2. 
    
   Biomedical Research Lab

   Research and find out about the various clinical research trials that are currently under study for lymphoma, leukemia and other blood-related diseases. A great place to start is the National Cancer Institute (NCI) which is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH), the largest government-funded research institute in the United States (see Resources). NCI conducts many clinical research studies on different cancers including leukemia, lymphoma and related blood diseases. The mission and goal of NCI is to sponsor and fund the best oncologists and professional health care providers, scientists and researchers along with cutting edge technology to help find new treatment modalities, research new drugs and discover cures for many prevalent cancers, including lymphomas and leukemia.

3. 
    
   Nutrition and Diet

   Stay positive and eat healthy; these are the major keys to fighting any illness or disease. Increase your immune system by taking extra supplements and multivitamins. Consult with qualified professional nutritionists and dieticians about particular food groups and specific diets that can be customized for your condition. For example, patients on chemotherapy cancer treatments will require diet plans slightly different from patients in remission. The American Dietetic Association (see Resources) offers great advice, information and resources on eating healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle for cancer patients.

4. 
    
   Financial Assistance

   The cost to cover medical expenses and treatment medications can be very expensive and challenging. There are a variety government and private financial programs and funding mechanisms available to help families and individuals who are facing such challenges, for example, The Co-Pay Assistance Program or Medication and Prescription Coverage Programs. These programs are available to help reduce the financial burden by offering various payment options to cover medical and prescription costs (see Resources for links).

5. 
    
   Family Support

   It is harder for children and the families of children to live and cope with life-threatening diseases. Children need understanding, patience, love and support. Learn coping and survival skills and become educated by contacting the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF), an organization that supports and provides excellent care for children suffering from leukemia and various cancers. Contact (800) 458-NCCF or see link in Resources. Speak with pediatricians and specialists in childhood cancers, in addition to social services and medical counselors for additional support and resources.

6. 
    
   Doctor and Patient

   Find out about the latest treatment options and drugs available, including skills on how to survive, cope and improve the quality of lives of patients and family members facing these tremendous challenges. Research and speak with medical professionals about your family history with these conditions and learn and understand about early screening tests and prevention options that are available.

7. 
    
   S.2790 Senate Bill

   Lobby Congress and state legislatures to pass new laws and policies to ensure that the millions affected by leukemia, lymphoma and related blood disorders have access to resources, financial funding for clinical and biomedical research and support from government and private sectors of the population. Advocates and volunteers, family members and professional health care providers should encourage and educate the public on the disease and ask them to contact their elected representatives. You can be proactive and act now by urging your elected senators to cosponsor the Comprehensive Cancer Care Improvement Act (S. 2790) introduced by the U.S. Senate. The bill will improve the ability of health care services and providers by increasing additional funding and grant programs to increase medical research along with programs in patient care, patient education and supportive services.

8. 
    
   Fundraiser for Lymphoma and Leukemia Society

   Help the millions of people living with lymphoma and leukemia by raising funds by either participating in or organizing fundraisers and charitable events or by donating money to the many non-profit organizations, for example, The Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.

9. 
    
   National Institute of Health Clinical Center

   Visit a cancer center. Cancer centers, located throughout the United States, offer in-patient or out-patient treatment and disease management either in a designated cancer facility, for example, NCI-designated clinical centers, or in a hospital setting. The NCI coordinates, conducts and supports cancer research and training in addition to offering financial funding to cancer centers anywhere in the country. Every NCI-designated cancer center must pass strict regulations, administrative and scientific criteria before they can be funded and operate as part of the NCI cancer center program. More information about the cancer program including a list of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers can be found by clicking on the link in Resources.

Tips & Warnings

• Establish and surround yourself or the patient with a strong supportive network. These medical conditions are challenging and difficult to deal with from both medical and psychological perspectives.
• Make a list of both short-term and long-term goals that the patient and family members would want to achieve together. Make a daily, weekly, monthly and a yearly plan. Build joyful and happy memories. It is about quality of time that you will cherish and remember.
• Always have hope and faith. Never give up on life and living, because it is a precious gift and should be cherished.
• Make every moment count.
• This article is not a substitute for seeking medical attention from your own health care provider.

Resources

• Jewell TV
• Jewell Productions TV
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• National Intitute of Health
• National Cancer Insitute
• Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
• Medicare
• Needymeds
• Rxassist
• National Childhood Cancer Foundation
• NCI Cancer Centers and Programs
• American Dietetic Association

[valenzuela]

on 1/9/2009 Very thorough and informative. Thank You.

[beachmom]

on 1/8/2009 I live close to one of the best cancer centers in the United States, and it saddens me to learn about people living with cancer. Great doctors and medical staff should be regarded with such admoration! Great article!

[lawrenctopper]

on 1/5/2009 Hello Dr.Jewell and Happy New Year!Very nice article.Also I would love to get involved in the make a wish foundation.to help those children.I am just about ready to write an article on cancer .How is your site coming along.Lets stay in touch. http://4perfect-health.com

[pianoman]

on 1/5/2009 This article is packed full with useful information. Thanks for presenting it in such an organized way.