How To Care for Someone with Hodgkin's Disease

Hodgkin's disease is a difficult form of cancer because it attacks the lymph nodes - which are responsible for carrying the body's T-cells that fight off infections. When you have someone diagnosed with this disease, it would helpful if you have sufficient knowledge about it. He will need your help in handling it and especially when he begins taking treatment. Be prepared and read these notes on how to care for someone with this condition:

• Be patient. A person with Hodgkin's disease often has trouble of grasping the idea that he has a serious situation. Patients with this disease struggle to control their emotions. This will resort to depression, mood swings and even anger. You need patience and understanding in handling the patient.
• Understand the disease. You should stock up your knowledge about the disease. Ask his doctor about which other health providers he should see and list them down including their details. The patient is most likely going to receive treatment. Ask his doctor about side effects, timelines and medications. Keep a log or a diary on the progress of your patient. Write down every side effect he has experienced if he has already started his treatment. Log every medicine that you have administered to him and don't forget to indicate the accurate time. Keep the patient's body nourished with food and fluids to reduce the side effects of the treatment.
• Lend a hand. The patient will need your help in simple daily activities such as bathing, brushing, eating or walking. He will be weak and dizzy especially when he just had treatment.
• Keep infections away. Since the disease weakens the patient's immune system, he is prone to infections like fever, flu, cough and colds. Small cuts or scratches can be infected because of his body's inability to heal. Keep his area or his home clean and ask visitors to avoid visiting if they have a cough or runny nose. Require the people living with him to get flu shots. Always keep a thermometer and check the patient's temperature periodically. Watch out for some of these warning signs:
  • A high fever over 38 degrees C.
  • Chills or continuous shivering
  • Sweating, most especially during the night
  • Burning sensation when urinating
  • A really bad sore throat and cough
  • The patient vomits for more than a few hours
  • Rapid heartbeat and fainting
  • Unusual bleeding in the nose and urine
  • Call the doctor immediately when these signs occur. He might need medical attention and be treated immediately.
• Provide rehabilitation. After treatment, whether successful or not, rehabilitating the patient is important. Join support groups and organizations that provide help with financial aid and physical or emotional support. It would be healthy for both you and the patient to gain support from other people with the same condition and vice versa.

People who suffer from this disease often worry about their future and you relieve by helping him talk about his feelings of anxiety. Continue to live as normally as possible and humor him from time to time to make him smile.