It will take time for you to recover. It can be 6–12 months before you feel yourself again. The following pages give some information about looking after yourself in the meantime.
Diet
There is no evidence to suggest that any particular diet will ensure your recovery and prevent relapse of your disease.
Most experts would advise that you eat as healthy a diet as possible. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that healthy eating prevents other serious illnesses, and while it won’t guarantee prolonged remission, eating a healthy diet can only be a good thing.
Exercise
Clinical studies have shown that exercise after treatment will help your recovery, give you more energy, and help you to feel better generally. But it is important not to do too much too soon.
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For more information about getting fit after treatment, please telephone our helpline.
Take things gradually and set yourself achievable goals.
Don’t expect too much of yourself to start with – it can be demoralising to set yourself goals that are impossible to achieve at first. But small amounts of exercise, such as a short walk each day, will make a difference.
You should avoid contact and other high-impact sports until your platelet count has returned to normal. This is because you will be at increased risk of bruising and bleeding, and your body will be less able to heal itself. Ask your consultant about this.
If you still have a low white cell count, you will be at increased risk of infection. Take advice about using public swimming pools. Avoid injuries to your skin, such as cuts or grazes.
You should be able to get back to a regular exercise routine eventually. You might find that you tire more easily. It might take less to make you short of breath. This might not prevent you from exercising, but might mean that you have to make changes to your exercise regime to accommodate the changes that have happened to your body.
Sex
You can resume sex after your transplant, but be careful if you still have a low blood count.If your platelets are low you will be at increased risk of bruising and bleeding. People are usually advised to avoid sexual activity until the platelet count is high enough.
Discuss this with your team at the clinic.
You may also be at increased risk of infection, so it will be important to protect yourself from sexually transmitted disease. Condoms will help prevent sexually transmitted infection.
You might feel less interested in sex for a while. Don’t worry if this happens – it is a very common experience.
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Loss of interest in sex can be because of many things, including low mood, anxiety, fatigue or sometimes physical changes. Your body image might have changed as a result of your illness and the side effects of treatment, and you may have less confidence in yourself. Serious illness can cause changes in a relationship, and you may both feel that things are not the same as they used to be.
Erectile problems and vaginal dryness are not uncommon, it is worth discussing this with your medical team.
Try and talk to your partner about what is happening and how you feel at the moment. Of course, you can still show your affection for one another in many ways even if you are not having sex. Try and explore physical intimacy that does not involve having sex. Once you and your partner have had time to adjust to the changes in your life, sexual feelings will usually return.
Continue to use contraception if you do not wish to conceive.
Talk to your specialist about your fertility.
Changes to your sex life may not be permanent, but they may take some time to resolve. Talk about your concerns with your doctor or nurse. If they are unable to help, they may be able to suggest someone who can. You may wish to seek the help of a professional relationship counsellor. You will find further information at the end of this booklet.
Travel
Be sure to take information about your medical history and treatment should you need help when on holiday.
You should be able to travel normally from around 6 months after your transplant, but this will depend on your blood counts and your immunity levels.
Generally, people are advised to avoid flying until their platelet count is high enough. Discuss this with your team at the
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clinic. Aircraft can also be a likely place to pick up an infection because you are sitting in close proximity to lots of people, although airlines insist that cabin air is filtered to remove bacteria and viruses.
You are likely to find it difficult to arrange travel insurance.
Many companies will refuse travel insurance for those who have experienced cancer. Some will cover part of your travel, such as loss of luggage or cancellations by the airline, but will not cover you for medical expenses.
If you are travelling within Europe, be sure to carry a European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, which entitles you to
reduced-cost or free healthcare within Europe.
Vaccinations
Because your immune system has been replaced with the tissue type of your donor, you will need to be revaccinated with all the vaccinations you had before. This will be arranged once your immunity is fully recovered. Ask your clinic about this, and ask about the current recommendations for having the flu vaccination.
There are some types of vaccination that are not
recommended after lymphoma treatment. These are live vaccines that use a weakened form of the organism that causes the infection. The organism stimulates the immune system to develop antibodies in the blood, which will protect against the infection. Live vaccines include those for measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and yellow fever.
Travel to some destinations will require vaccination. Travel companies will provide information about vaccinations for a particular place. Talk to your clinic about this and ask what will be safe for you.
Work
Return to work will depend on your rate of recovery. It will be important not to rush back before you feel ready.
For more information about work and cancer, please telephone our helpline.
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Most people wait at least 6 months before returning to work.
You may want to consider a gradual return to work, and go back part-time to start with. You may want to consider reducing your working hours if possible.
Talk about returning to work with your doctor and those close to you. Discuss it with your employer.