Preparing for hospital visits
When you are first diagnosed with indolent non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) visiting the clinic or the doctor can be a daunting experience.
The environment you are entering and the information you are receiving will probably all be new to you, and this can mean there is a lot to take in at first. Many people feel like this on their first visits, so try not to worry too much, visiting the hospital will get easier with time.
You can also help make these visits easier by preparing yourself as much as possible before you go.
What will happen on my first visit?
On your first hospital visit your doctor will ask you all about any other illnesses you’ve had and any medication you might be taking. They will also carry out a physical examination and may ask you to have blood tests or a chest x-ray to check your general health.
- It could be useful for you to think about your own medical history before you go, so that you won’t worry about forgetting anything during the appointment
- You might need to take any health records that you have, or documents describing any medication you are on, with you to the appointment
- Your family doctor or the healthcare professional that set up the appointment for you will be able to tell you what you need to take with you
Generally, before you go, think about the reason for your visit
Are you visiting for a routine check-up and expect to be there for a day appointment only?
Or are you going in for treatment or diagnostic tests that might take longer and require an overnight stay?
If you’re not sure what to expect, you should check with your contact on the lymphoma team, such as the clinical nurse specialist or haematologist. They will be able to answer any questions about your visit before you arrive.
If you’re staying overnight or longer, think about what you’ll wear while you’re in hospital and what you’ll do between treatments or tests. Books or games can help pass the time.
Remember to bring any medication that you’re currently taking with you, and make sure you’ll have enough for the length of your stay.
Think about your plans for getting there and back
Planning your transport to and from the hospital in advance will mean you won’t have to worry about it on the day of your appointment. You should also think carefully about what treatment or tests you might be having and whether you’ll need someone to pick you up after the visit.
Do you want to take someone with you?
If you feel like you would like some support during the visit, you should consider asking a friend or family member to come with you. They may also be able to help you remember, or talk about, any information that you receive. The healthcare team will understand if you want someone to be there.
Prepare your questions for the doctor before you go
It can be difficult to remember all the questions that you want to ask in one go. Especially when you will be talking about many different things during the appointment. Writing questions down before you go will make this much easier and help make sure that you don’t forget anything. Writing down the answers or other notes during the visit can also help you remember things you might need to know. So you might like to think about having a notepad and pen with you.
You should also think about what the doctors might ask you when you’re there so that you can think about taking any relevant information with you.
Questions to ask the doctor about non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Questions the doctor may ask about non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma