Daily Living

Cancer can both impact our daily living practices, as well as encourage us to make changes to how we live on a daily basis. This section is a collection of articles and resources that relate to day-to-day living with the disease. Be sure to talk with your physician before making changes.

Conversation

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABOUT CUTANEOUS LYMPHOMA

A question that often arises when newly diagnosed patients call the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation is: “What and how should I tell my friends and family?” There is no One-Size-Fits-All answer to this. Social worker, Leora Lowenthal offers some guidelines that allow each reader to come up with their own best solution.

EMPOWER YOURSELF WITH COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION

Empowered patients are those who become active members of their healthcare team. Obtaining and keeping copies of your medical records and lab results is good advice for any person receiving medical attention.

Living With Cutaneous Lymphoma...Yes, Living!

You've been diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma, is it possible to still have a full and rewarding life?
Friend Support
FROM GUIDE CONTRIBUTORS

LIVING WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF CUTANEOUS LYMPHOMA

You have cancer. Those three words can unleash a riptide of emotions, from disbelief to anger to sadness to fear. All those emotions and more are normal and can be allayed by asking questions, gaining information, and talking with individuals who have either experienced the disease or understand its normal course of action.
FROM GUIDE CONTRIBUTORS

Sexuality

Being intimate can be challenging when you have cutaneous lymphoma.
Couple with physician
FROM GUIDE CONTRIBUTORS

Fertility

Even if you aren’t currently thinking about having a family, aspects of family planning often need to be considered when choosing a therapy for your cutaneous lymphoma.

Webinar: Protecting Your Privacy

March 2022 - Maintaining your privacy and control over disclosing a cancer diagnosis is a personal decision and there may be ramifications of disclosing. Covered in this webinar, options for maintaining your privacy, while still accessing workplace benefits & protections; common situations that can result in accidental disclosure; and other ways to protect your privacy.

Speaker: Monica Bryant, Esq., COO, Triage Cancer

Facebook Live: Stress and Its Impact on Cutaneous Lymphoma

May 2020 - Dr. Lucia Seminario-Vidal discusses how stress may impact a cutaneous lymphoma diagnosis.

Presenter
Lucia Seminario-Vidal, MD, Moffitt Cancer Center (At time of recording)

Webinar: COVID-19 Vaccinations - What We Know

April 2021 - Dr. Jasmine Zain shares what is currently known about COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals with cutaneous lymphoma. Dr. Zain also responds to audience questions regarding treatments and the vaccinations.

Clinician
Jasmine Zain, MD, City of Hope Medical Center

Cutaneous Lymphoma and Fatigue

People in the modern world are tired, and that tiredness is often more intense for people living with cancer and other chronic illnesses. This article explores the possible causes of fatigue and how it might be managed.

Blood and Organ Donations

The Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation is frequently asked whether individuals with CTCL and CBCL are able to be blood or organ donors. We posed the question to our Medical Advisory Council.

Vaccinations: A Brief Summary

Is it safe for individuals with cutaneous lymphoma to get vaccinations? The answer has changed over the years. Provided is a brief summary of currently known safe vaccinations.

Cancer + Careers - Privacy Considerations

Sharing life events and challenges online is a common occurrence with social media, but what should you post? Cancer + Career's "Your Online Footprint" offers information you need to know about protecting your privacy and your online reputation.

Facebook Live Interview: Leora Lowenthal, LICSW, MSW

May 2018 - Oncology social worker Leora Lowenthal joined CLF's Susan Thornton to discuss Patient Empowerment: practical and informative presentation on why and how to connect with oncology social services, and how to empower yourself when living with cutaneous lymphoma. Ms. Lowenthal is a senior clinical social worker at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Workplace and Cancer

Can I return to work? People living with cancer frequently ask this question. There are a number of laws protecting the rights of employees with cancer and their care partners. It is very important for you to know the legal protections that exist when you have cancer and are working or are re-entering the workforce.
Hair loss

HAIR LOSS AND CUTANEOUS LYMPHOMA

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL) can sometimes cause a loss of hair, or alopecia, which can affect any area of the body.

Air Travel With Medications

Many questions arise for patients who need to travel on an airplane with their medications. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s website offers information on traveling with medications.

Online Support Groups

Online support communities such as listservs can directly link people living with cutaneous lymphoma to one another via email. The Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation is pleased to promote the following listservs.

Managing Your Cutaneous Lymphoma When a Specialist Isn't Nearby

Being diagnosed with cutaneous lymphoma while living far from a specialist may present innumerable challenges. However, there are some strategies for patients to utilize that may be employed to effectively handle these situations.
Doctor & Patient

HOW TO GET WHAT YOU REALLY NEED FROM YOUR DOCTOR

This…is…your…life. You have the right, indeed the obligation to yourself and to those who love you, when speaking to your doctor, to ask any questions you have, to get clarity about anything that has been said and to feel free to keep the conversation open until you are satisfied that in the days to come you can ask about any aspect of your treatment.