Brother has lymphoma

My brother has just been diagnosed with lymphoma and my family and I are all devastated. It's the hardest thing to deal with. My heart hurts and I can't stop crying. He's my best friend and has always been there for me. I want to be there for him but I'm struggling to be strong infront of him. Any advice would be much appreciated. 

Toodles 

  • Hi toodles

    this may sound weird but I was hoping that I had lymphoma because chemo would have sorted it and I could carry on as normal but no it's secondary breast cancer with lymph node involvement  google it it can b sorted he will be back to normal in a few months .treat him to his favourite stuff  watch fun videos with him make him laugh  go for it . Let us know how he is doing and how you are managing    Try rescue remedy from Boots google it  X  

  • Hi Colleen,

    Thank you for your swift reply and words of encouragement. I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. Have you started treatment? 

    I feel this is going to be a long, hard few months for all of us. There's such a stigma attached to cancer that we all assume the worst. 

    Thank you for your suggestions, I'll def try my best.

  • The first week after chemo feeling icky and tired (jus had my 2nd lot today) Then better the next week third week back to norm almost then next chemo usually 6lots Not so bad sleep mostly 1week I could have done with someone to read my meds an make a chart to tick off as taken you could volunteer to help him with this gave me a headache small print an heaps of it What a lovely sis you are lucky him take care of each other have u told him how u feel. Do but when your not feeling emotional. xX
  • Hi Toodles My daughter has lymphoma, they found the tumour in her chest in February she has just finished her 6th cycle of chemotherapy and we await the results pet scan on 10th November and results on the 15th so very tense time, she has been through hell practically had every chemo side effect but somehow she has got through it. My thoughts are with you it will be tough but you have to all remain positive it's meant to be one of the easiest cancers to cure but that doesn't mean it's easy all the best
  • Chemo starts next week. I really want to be there for him but I'm worried he might feel his personal space being intruded. We are really close but I don't want to suffocate him at the same time. He's an avid gym goer and we've been trying to stop him from the gym so that he can retain his energy but he's not having any of it. 

    During chemo do you feel like having company or do you prefer to be alone? I'll def help him with the meds. 

    I think I'd struggle to talk about my feelings right now without breaking down. I've always been an emotional person and he knows that. I'm trying really hard not to be emotional infront of him. 

  • Hi Roulade,

    I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm struggling to deal with it as a sibling but can't imagine what a parent would go through. 

    I'm finding it so difficult to be positive right now but I'm trying. Your messages of encouragement are def helping. 

    Wishing you and your daughter all the best. She'll be in my prayers. Xx

  • Hi Toodles, What type of lymphoma does your brother have? If he has HL then there is about an 80% cure rate If he has the rare form of NPLHL then it is incurable but very treatable. I have been living with NPLHL for 40 years now and on friday coming up for my last dose of chemo. I lymphoma has gone back into remission. So after this It will be monitoring and hopeful a long time before it shows its self again. If he does have NPLHL he can lead a normal life but just be careful. I have and I'm still here and intend to be for a long time yet. The chemo is not very nice and I have to take a year out every time I have treatment. If he eats well, even if he does not want to, and he won't and thing will taste of cardboard. Personal hygiene and it's important to look after his mouth. It can become very sore. The chemo has lots of unpleasant side effects but they are different for each patient. He will have good day and bad and feel very tried at time. I wish him well and he will come though it and carry on as if nothing happened after at time. What stage is he?
  • Hi Toate,

    Sorry to hear that you're going through something similar. 

    My brother has Non Hodgkin lymphoma, stage 4. His chemo will be starting this week. We've been looking at the alkaline diet and in particular trying to find alkaline water. Not sure if anyone else has tried it. 

    Bet you can't wait until your last session of chemo is over. Not long to go. Wishing you all the best Xx