Importance of a caregiver
The role of a caregiver is different for everyone, depending upon your personal relationship and the needs of the person for whom you’re caring. Below are some ways to help your loved one through their journey with FL:
- Assisting with medications
- Helping to recognize side effects and discussing them with the healthcare team
- Keeping track of appointments
- Providing transportation
- Keeping other family members and friends informed
- Talking with the treatment team during visits and taking notes
- Helping to support discussion about stopping, starting, or continuing treatment
- Household chores
- Preparing food
- Paying bills
- Caring for pets
- Cleaning
It’s important to take care of yourself too by:
- Eating healthy
- Making sure to exercise
- Seeking out social opportunities that you enjoy
Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you before you begin a new diet or exercise plan.
How to prepare on infusion days
If the person you’re caring for is receiving MONJUVI for the first time, here are some suggestions to help make an infusion day smoother.
- Eating a hearty meal prior to the infusion can help provide energy throughout the infusion process.
- The first MONJUVI infusion will take about 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours. The infusion time may vary if the healthcare team needs to make adjustments during treatment.
- After your initial infusion, all subsequent MONJUVI infusions will typically take between 1 ½ and 2 hours.
- The healthcare team may need to delay or completely stop treatment with MONJUVI if there are severe side effects.
- The healthcare provider will give medicines before each infusion to decrease the chance of infusion reactions. If there are no reactions to treatment, these medications may not be needed for future infusions.
- Lab work may be done before or during the appointment, which may impact the length of the visit.
- Layered, loose-fitting clothing can help the person receiving treatment adjust to the temperature in the infusion room.
- Bring reading materials, headphones with a phone and/or tablet, crossword puzzles, or anything else to help pass the time.
Talking to someone who’s
If you have a loved one whose follicular lymphoma (FL) has returned or progressed, then you know communication is more important than ever. Your support is essential for their next steps.
The American Cancer Society suggests keeping these points in mind when you’re caring for a person who has cancer:
- Help them live as normal a life as possible.
- Encourage them to share feelings, and support their efforts to share.
- Let them know you’re available, but don’t press issues.
- Remember that people communicate in different ways.
- Take cues from the person you’re caring for.
- Be realistic and flexible about what you hope to talk about and agree on.
- Respect the need to be alone. Sometimes we all need time alone—even you.
Not actual patient or caregivers.
Support for caregivers
Some independent groups and societies provide additional support for both patients and caregivers living with follicular lymphoma (FL). The organizations listed are independent groups and societies whose names are provided as a service and should not be considered an endorsement of these organizations or imply an endorsement of these organizations by Incyte.
American Cancer Society
Talk with a nurse or social worker to learn about services in your area.
Watch videos on how to cope with being a caregiver
American Cancer Survivors Network
An online connection where patients and caregivers can join chatrooms and build their own support networks
Medline Plus
Patient Empowerment Network