Self-Care During Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment
- Beyond Treatment: self-care supports the body and mind through the demands of treatment and recovery.
- Expert Insight: at UCI Health in Orange County, Dr. Elizabeth Brem emphasizes that rest, nutrition, and stress management all play a meaningful role in how patients tolerate therapy and maintain quality of life.
- Building Resilience: from balanced nutrition and sleep to emotional support and open communication with care teams, small, consistent self-care steps can strengthen resilience and improve long-term outcomes.
“At the end of the day, anything you can do to just generally take care of yourself, feel comfortable, get the best sleep you can, it’s just no matter what we’re doing with your treatment, it is going to help you,” says Dr. Elizabeth Brem, a triple-board certified hematologist-oncologist at UC Irvine Comprehensive Cancer Center in Orange County, California where Dr. Brem is among the experts helping patients navigate not just treatment decisions, but also the day-to-day realities of navigating life during lymphoma care.
Read MoreUnderstanding Self-Care in the DLBCL Journey
With a diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, much of the focus naturally moves to the medical treatments: chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stem-cell transplant, and follow-up scans. But, what tends to be under-emphasized is the role of self-care — the deliberate actions you take to support your body, mind, and life while going through treatment and beyond.
Self-care doesn’t replace medical care — rather, it complements it: helping to tolerate treatment, manage side effects, protect your quality of life, and live with more agency and purpose.
Here are the key reasons self-care matters in the context of DLBCL:
- Physical resilience: Treatments for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma can be aggressive and demanding. Engaging in self-care helps your body handle treatment intensity.
- Emotional and psychological well being: Self-care helps address emotional burdens and maintain identity.
- Improved treatment engagement: When you’re looking after yourself, you’re better able to communicate with your care team.
- Quality of life now, not just later: Self-care fosters connection, joy, and purpose.
- Long-term health: Healthy habits developed now support long-term recovery and reduce the risk of late effects.
Key Self-Care Domains & What You Can Do
Below are the major areas of self-care and practical tips you can apply.
Physical Self-Care
- Nutrition: Focus on nutrient-rich foods (vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains).
- Hydration & Hygiene: Stay hydrated and maintain good oral care.
- Sleep & Rest: Aim for a consistent bedtime and restful sleep.
- Movement: Gentle activity such as walking or stretching supports strength and mood.
- Infection Prevention: Be alert to fevers and chills due to immune suppression.
- Side-Effect Management: Report and manage symptoms early with your care team.
Emotional & Psychological Self-Care
- Acknowledge your feelings: Recognize that it’s normal to feel scared or frustrated.
- Social Support: Connect with trusted friends or join support groups.
- Journaling & Mind-Body Practices: Reflective writing and meditation help manage stress.
- Professional Help: Seek therapy if anxiety or depression persist.
- Keep Purpose & Identity: Maintain hobbies or activities that bring meaning.
Practical & Lifestyle Self-Care
- Build Your Team: Collaborate with your healthcare providers.
- Schedule & Routine: Use tools to manage appointments and track symptoms.
- Work & Financial Planning: Address practical matters early.
- Boundaries: Protect your time and energy.
- Future Planning: Plan for fertility, follow-up, and long-term monitoring.
More On Self Care
- ‘Self Care Is A Way To Treat Yourself’: Dr. Marianna Strongin on the Importance of Self-Care
- Mental Health and Cancer — The Fight, Flight or Freeze Response
- ‘A Sacred and Blessed Calling’ – Managing Life As an Alzheimer’s Caregiver
- Mental Health: A Guided Breathing Exercise to Help Manage Anxiety
- SN & You Presents Mental Health: Coping With Emotions
Self-Advocacy & Empowerment
- Be Informed: Learn about your sub-type and treatment.
- Communicate: Share new symptoms or concerns promptly.
- Monitor Long-Term Health: Continue healthy habits post-treatment.
- Celebrate Wins: Recognize and celebrate small steps.
Self-Care Across the Treatment Timeline
- At Diagnosis: Allow yourself to process emotions and seek support.
- During Active Treatment: Balance rest and activity.
- Post-Treatment / Remission: Gradually rebuild strength and maintain routines.
- Long-Term Survivorship: Continue integrating healthy habits and emotional resilience.
Common Obstacles & How to Navigate Them
- Fatigue or ‘Brain-Fog’: Keep self-care goals small and realistic.
- Isolation: Stay connected with friends or online groups.
- Guilt: Be compassionate with yourself; recovery is not linear.
- Financial Stress: Seek help from patient advocacy or social workers.
- Side-Effects: Report and adjust care plans as needed.
- Fear of Recurrence: Acknowledge the anxiety and seek support.
A Guided Meditation for the SurvivorNet Community
Self-Care Checklist
- Domain Habit Idea: Focus on nutrition by eating vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins daily; stay hydrated.
- Movement: Get 10-15 minutes of walking or stretching in daily. Make sure to sleep/rest and have a consistent bedtime; avoid screens before bed.
- Emotional Health: Journal, deep breathing, or call a friend.
- Social Connection: Join a lymphoma support group or talk to loved ones.
- Self-Monitoring: Note new symptoms; prepare questions for your doctor.
- Boundaries: Say no to activities that drain energy.
- Empowerment: Write down one thing you learned about DLBCL this week.
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