Taking notes during visits to the doctor can help them remember what was said. Patients should ask the doctor to explain anything that is not clear. Patients have many important questions to ask about their disease, and their doctor is the best person to provide answers. Most people want to learn how lymphoma can be treated, how successful the treatment is likely to be, and how much the treatment is expected to cost. The patient's doctor is the best person to give advice about working or limiting other activities, but it may be hard for some people to talk to the doctor about their feelings and other very personal matters.
Many patients find it helpful to talk with others who are facing similar problems.
This kind of help is available through cancer-related support groups. It also may be helpful to talk with a nurse, social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy. Hodgkin's disease patients may consider participating in a trial and should discuss this possibility with their doctors. Resources Available to Lymphoma Patients Information about cancer is available from many sources. Three are listed below.