Hope's SCT/BMT Shop Blog

A repost – Tips from a Two-Time Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor

supportcancerawareness — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:18:33 +0000

This is a reprint and used with permission.

When I first fought Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (aka Hodgkin’s Disease) five years ago, everything happened so quickly. Before I knew it, I was receiving chemo and then it was six months later and I had completed the treatment. Three short months after my remission declaration, I relapsed to what many deem to be the easy cancer. I understood Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to have such a high cure rate, but I fell into the group of relapsed and refractory Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Many are unaware that in some cases Hodgkin’s Lymphoma can be a challenge to treat and cure.

A couple of years ago, I wrote some tips/suggestions for an acquaintance of mine who relapsed from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was suggested that I share these tips on my blog in hopes that they may help someone else. Mind you, I am not a medical practitioner, but because of my real-world experience as a cancer patient and cancer survivor, I am sharing these tips with my readers.

Tips/Suggestions:

1. Consult a top medical team at a cancer center so that you can take advantage of their full services. It’s important that you have all the medical resources all in one place (oncologist, radiologist, nutritionist, sociologist, psychologist, therapist, support groups, etc.) so that you are more apt to use them. If you feel you need to change oncologist and get second and third opinions, don’t fret ….do it. If this is a relapse, I suggest you also see a therapist for support. They can guide you and provide you with emotional support and advice. (How To Find a Good Doctor If You Have Cancer)

2. My main thing is stress – Minimize it. Stress is a big factor in aggravating certain diseases. Think about what your life was prior to the relapse. Is there something you can change that causes you stress? Is there a toxic person in your life making things worse for you? When you’re ill, you need to surround yourself with those who are supporting you and putting your health first. Think about this one and make changes accordingly because as serious as cancer is, a relapse is even more serious. When you are stressed, you lower your immune system which make you susceptible to illnesses, so try to let go of emotional baggage and negative thoughts as much as you can. Consult a therapist, a trusted friend, pastor, group, etc. for support. (How to Manage Stress)

3. I suggest you find books or CDs on positive thinking, guided visualization, mediation, yoga, exercise, health, nutrition, emotional health, etc. Oncologists know how to kill the cancer, but they don’t always know how to treat the human behind the cancer. Arm yourself with all the knowledge you can, not just cancer knowledge but overall health, body and mind knowledge and play an active role in your treatment and recovery by doing your research and doing what you can from your end to beat cancer. You need to muster up all the strength and will to fight cancer. This is something doctors cannot do for you. It’s up to you. You need to draw deep from inside and find your inner strength through guided visualization and positive affirmations. Don’t give up on yourself and don’t leave it all up to your doctor. Find that will!

Below are some books I personally recommend:

* Love, Medicine & Miracles by Bernie S. Siegel

* Getting Well Again by O. Carl Simonton, M.D.

* Heal Your Body by Louise L. Hay

* Fighting Cancer From Within by Martin L. Rossman, M.D.

* Guided Imagery for Self-Healing by Martin L. Rossman, M.D.

* What to Eat if You Have Cancer by Daniella Chace

4. Have a pro-active, action-oriented caring family member or trustworthy friend go to every appointment of yours and any hospital stay you may have. Don’t do this alone. When you are weak and vulnerable, you need someone to be your advocate to take care of you and ensure you are getting the right treatment, to ask questions when you cannot and take notes.

5. Keeping hydrated is so important – drink you water! In addition, eating right, exercising and resting is also important, especially when you’re fighting the cancer battle. If you’re on a junk food or sugar diet, consider seeing a nutritionist with your doctor’s approval. Ask a nutritionist or physical therapist for support and advice — ensure your doctor knows that you are on an exercise/diet program. (Read About Diet During Cancer)

6. Slow down a bit whether it is work or other responsibilities that wear you down and seek help from supportive friends or a caring cancer support group. Don’t let anyone pressure you to return to your normal life because the “old” normal does not exist. You need to find a new normal way of life consisting of putting your needs first. If you can take time off from work, do it. Some cancer patients can work part time and others prefer time off. Make a choice that is best for you. (Find Cancer Support Groups)

7. I strongly recommend online grocery shopping. Every week, they deliver all my groceries and bottled water. Rather than ask a family or friend to do your shopping for you and wait until they can fit it into their schedule, save your sanity and consider online grocery shopping. Delivery is less than $10.00 and they bring the groceries to your kitchen.

In short, this is the time for YOU to work on getting well and very importantly, stay positive, but also allow yourself to cry when you need to. Take it one day at a time, remember you come first. Gather strength from all those who love you, but also remember love yourself, first and foremost. A relapse is very serious and you need to arm yourself with support, a great medical team and lots of strength. I am now in remission and in spite of fighting two battles with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, I feel strong and positive. I put myself first and made major changes in my lifestyle. It’s still not easy, but you learn to make adjustments and find a “new” normal way of life.

Originally posted on the
Hope & Dreams Cancer Awareness Shop

Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor. These tips are offered by a two-time cancer survivor. For medical advice, please consult your medical practitioner.

Raising Lymphoma Awareness Because It Matters (via Supporting Cancer Awareness Blog)

supportcancerawareness — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:51:20 +0000

For over two years, we as a family, witnessed what our sister endured battling an advanced form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (aka Hodgkin’s Disease). The unexpected journey started in the spring of 2005 when our sister was diagnosed with this rare but deemed curable cancer during a routine check-up for flu-like symptoms. After our sister’s diagnosis, many in the medical field as well as cancer patients commented that Hodgkin’s Lymphoma was the “good” ca … Read More

via Supporting Cancer Awareness Blog

Our latest Bone Marrow Transplant Survivor Shirts and Gifts

supportcancerawareness — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 20:44:18 +0000

Our latest design for Bone Marrow Transplant survivors features a supportive collection of green ribbon shirts, merchandise and gifts highlighting a beautiful floral scroll ribbon. Our spotlight design reads “My Hero is a BMT Survivor” and is available on shirts, apparel, merchandise and gifts to support friends and relatives from Aunt to Wife who are Bone Marrow Transplant Survivors. This beautiful design is brought to you by a 4 year survivor of a stem cell transplant. It’s ideal for advocacy events, bone marrow and stem cell transplant reunions and/or any occasion to show your support for a special person in your life who survived a bone marrow transplant.

Please click on t-shirt images to view and shop directly at www.stemcelltransplantshirts.com

For more BMT and SCT gifts, shop www.stemcelltransplantshirts.com

Hospital Tips for Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant Patients

supportcancerawareness — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:12:52 +0000

For those who are going through a stem cell transplant or a bone marrow transplant, below is a list of tips for long hospital stays and related to help you through your journey brought to you by those who have undergone both types of procedures.

SCT/Hospital Tips and Suggestions:

Bring a list of drugs you take – for your own records and for the hospital files
Bring a list of medicines you are allergic to (very important)
Keep a list of family and friend’s phone numbers
Consider a Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will (check legalzoom.com)
If applicable, apply for Social Security Benefits prior to your SCT. If rejected, appeal or contact an attorney
Bring a notepad and pen to write notes and names of doctors, nurses, PCAs, etc.
Buy a calling card (most hospitals only allow you to dial within their area code)
Check with your hospital if cell phones are allowed
Bring a laptop — it’s a great to keep in touch and/or watch movies
Bring light reading material like magazines to help pass the time
Bring movies – subscribe to Netflix (this proved very helpful in helping pass the time)
Bring your iPod or a CD player – music is therapy to the soul
Bring games or cards – to help pass the time
Bring hobby/craft stuff – to help pass the time
Bring reminders of home – to keep you going strong (pictures, bible, etc.)
Bring a fluffy pillow and a soft blanket
Definitely bring your own PJs, robe, socks, slippers & sneakers (you may be asked to walk after your SCT)
Pack cotton low v-neck shirts (for easy port or Hickman access)
Pack warm sweats (it gets cold)
Pack sleeping caps or comfortable knit caps & hats
Bring plastic bags to store your laundry so your caregiver can take it home to wash
Bring anti-bacterial wipes (to clean phones, counters, door knobs, etc.)
Bring sugar free candy to lessen the taste of the heparin shots
Go ahead, have your room decorated (it makes for a supportive environment)
Try to keep visitors to a minimum and only essential visitors. Keep anyone with a cold away from you during your stem cell transplant to prevent infections and such
WALK (exercising is very important to the health of your lungs after your stem cell transplant).
Keep your medical team informed when you need pain relievers or when you have any side effects even if you think it’s minor. Any side effect during an SCT needs to be mentioned to your medical team so that they can help you. Be a teamplayer!
ALWAYS seek the advice of medical experts and have your caregiver take notes
Allow yourself to get some rest. This is a tough journey and sleep helps
Designate a friend or family to be your advocate to help you through your appointments, etc.
When in doubt, GET A SECOND MEDICAL OPINION.

SCT Survivor Shirts and Gifts

supportcancerawareness — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:45:10 +0000

SCT Survivor Shirts

StemCellTransplantShirts.Com has an array of SCT and BMT Survivor shirts and gifts to wear your survivorship proudly from either a Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant procedure brought to you by a SCT Survivor who is now on her third year of remission. This bold design is perfect for awareness events and it makes a great gift for the SCT and BMT survivor. Stop by our speciality store to shop an array of gifts and merchandise to help promote bone marrow and stem cell donor advocacy while letting everyone know you survived a BMT or SCT transplant. Our mission as cancer survivors is to promote awareness while donating a portion of the proceeds to charity.