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| Site Navigation | Surviving Lymphoma: Recurrence Fear |
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| Fear of recurrence begins during treatment
and lasts well into lasting remissions. The question as to why we contracted lymphoma is
ever present, and mostly unanswerable. One is left with the fear of getting lymphoma again
(or not achieving a lasting recurrence in the first place). These thoughts can lead to restlessness, lost productivity, and possibly physical illness due to fear anxiety or thoughts of additional treatment. The good news: these fears are normal and controllable, and diminish in time. Lymphoma is highly treatable in many forms and new, innovative treatments in recent months extend remissions. Your medical team should have the answers on the possibility of recurrence. If they do not, you are entitled to a second opinion. Once you have the medical facts, it comes down to organizing ones own coping strategy. Many people find their own ways to cope. Methods some people have used include:
Just as it is important to have a caregiver system when receiving treatment, it is important to have a support system into remission. Embrace those around you - friends, family, coworkers but also remember there are professionals - medical center social workers and therapists if you wish. Just as no one doubted your diagnosis no one should doubt your feelings of cancer returning. Reference and Information:
Return to the Lymphoma Information Network This page is a work in progress - if you have more complete information, references, or other information please contact the author. The author is not in the medical field and does not warrant the correctness of the material on this page or the sites linked - please take online information and consult with your own medical team to make informed decisions. Copyright © 1999-2000 Lymphoma Information
Network - All Rights Reserved |
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