This is my diagnosis and advice to have no treatment, but “watch and wait” I’m wondering how many people out there are in this “boat” and if you feel satisfied with “just doing nothing” I’m trying to work out what I can do to beat this naturally. Is there some dietary advice etc that I can follow? Or a recommended natural therapist I can consult?
Hi Annie123456 and a warm welcome to this corner of the Community although I am sorry to see you joining us and to hear about your diagnosis.
I am Mike and I help out around our various Lymphoma groups.
I don’t have Follicular Lymphoma (FL) but for some context I was diagnosed way back in 1999 at 43 with a rare (8 in a million) incurable but treatable type of Cutaneous T-Cell NHL (a type of slow growing Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) ……. eventually reaching Stage 4a in late 2013 when a second, also rare (4 in a million) type of aggressive Peripheral T-Cell NHL (a type of fast growing High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma) was then presenting so although my Lymphoma ‘type’ is different I most definitely appreciate the challenges of this journey rather well.
Active Monitoring (Watch and Wait) is rather normal for slow growing Low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphomas like your FL.
It took 14 years before my first type of NHL developed to a point where treatment was required, there are a number of treatment routes available for your FL but like lots of other chronic health conditions you only treat when the treatment would be most effective.
I lived a normal life in my early years, worked in a demanding teaching job for 12 years until I retired…. then my aggressive type appeared and this triggered 2 years full on treatment but I am 9.5 years out from my last treatment, turn 70 at the end of the year and living a great life.
I did look at ‘other’ approaches but the conclusion I came to was to live as normal a life, on a good healthy balanced diet….. and keep fit.
Your body is now one big chemistry set and it is important to keep everything in balance so if you look into alternative therapies I would advice you pass these past your clinical team to ensure they don’t have any concerns…… most consultant are not anti ‘other’ approaches but let’s face it….. they do know your condition better then anyone.
I regularly speak with folks on here but more so on the various Lymphoma Action.…… Support Platforms who go years living with their FL and not needing treatment.
Lymphoma Action is the main UK Lymphoma Specific Charity who have lots of good reliable information, videos..... basically all things Lymphoma....... pre, during and post treatment.
