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Hints & Tips
If you have any hints and tips that may benefit other patients, please click on the 'Hints' icon. Please note that any hints given on this page have not necessarily been given on the advice of medical professionals. If you are in any doubt whether to follow any of these guides, please seek guidance from your GP, consultant or qualified professional.
FEELING SICK ? If your feeling sick from chemotherapy or other treatment why not try Ginger Ale as foods and drinks containing ginger can help reduce the feeling of sickness and nausea. Can I have a massage whilst receiving treatment for Lymphoma ? This topic was discussed in our April 05 meeting. Many patients are lead to believe that a massage may actually spread the Lymphoma cells around the lymphatic system. Whilst there is some truth in this, the benefits of massage must be offset against the risks. At our April meeting a qualified Lymphodaema nurse spoke to the group about the virtues of a massage and how calming this may be and actually help in receiving treatment and calming patients nerves. The nurse also explained that in many cases a suitably qualified masseur that understands the lymphatic system is unlikely to cause any more problems than for instance a short spell of reasonable exercise would cause. It was also stated that any patient with any doubts should seek a masseur accredited to MLD UK (Manual Lymphatic Drainage).
MLD UK's Web site is available by clicking the above link. Further reading on this is available by clicking on this link to The Lymphoma Association's site. IRRADIATED BLOOD This is a very important issue for most Lymphoma sufferers and even patients who have in the past received treatment and are now in remission. THESE PATIENTS MUST RECEIVE IRRADIATED BLOOD Patients receiving blood transfusions are at risk from developing Transfusion Associated Graft Versus Host Disease. This is a rare complication where the donors blood lymphocytes multiply and then recognise the recipients blood as foreign. This produces a vigorous immune reaction against the patient causing numerous medical problems and can prove fatal. Those at risk involve Hodgkin Lymphoma sufferers (even those cured of their disease), some non-Hodgkin Lymphoma sufferers as well as Leukaemia patients. Furthermore patients who have undergone either stem-cell or bone marrow transplantation may be affected. Generally, these patients will have been told that they must have irradiated blood by their consultant and a warning is usually placed inside a patients notes. Irradiation destroys the ability of transfused lymphocytes to respond to host foreign antigens thereby preventing graft vs. host disease in susceptible recipients. However, it is worth bearing in mind that some patients may receive blood transfusions for reasons totally unconnected with their disease (e.g. road accident) and this matter could easily be overlooked. Many hospitals have now arranged for patients to receive a card produced in association with the NHS and National Blood Service for patients to carry with them at all times. A copy of the document from the National Blood Service with a card may be downloaded here.
REIKI Our May 05 meeting was attended by a specialist Reiki Master who practices and teaches on this subject. Further reading on this natural energy healing process is available by clicking here.
REFLEXOLOGY Our November 05 meeting was attended by Gill Orton and her assistant Tina from the Cancer Information Centre at Walsgrave Hospital. They gave practical demonstrations of reflexology which was enjoyed by many of the attendees for the evening. Click here for further reading.
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Coventry Lymphoma Association Support
Group. Thursday February 28, 2008 Sponsor me please - click here This site is dedicated to the memory of Michaela Reynolds 8 October 1972 to 7 April 2006
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