Hello, hope you are all well. Having felt unwell for a couple of months, my dad will likely be diagnosed with Lymphoma. He is waiting for the formal diagnosis on 9th January. The last 4/5 days he is sleeping more and today he hasn’t got out of bed. He is also finding difficult to eat and again his appetite is becoming less and less. Is this normal? I am so worried and I don’t know what to do. He is having a bone marrow biopsy this week so will not be seeing a consultant for another 10 days. He went to the GP on Boxing Day and they said he has an infection - They didn’t give any advice about the eating. Thank you in advance, Cathy
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Oh @Cathy83 you are obviously so caring for your dad and also so powerless to make him better.
I do know if I have an infection and/or also on antibiotics that I often feel lousy and my appetite goes.
I am not a medical person, but perhaps your dad’s GP might assist or a dietician.
I have learnt to be pleasantly assertive and ask all my fears, questions and practicalities and ask for responses in a plain language.
You are in such a difficult situation as your dad sounds as if he is of sound mind to make his own decisions and can involve you as little or much as he wants to, perhaps keep talking honestly about your fears etc. to each other
The Blood Cancer UK support line is there for you on 0808 2080 888.
Look after yourself as well as you are trying to look after your dad and please do keep posting
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Thank you so much for your reply Erica, I appreciate it. Fingers crossed
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Dear @Cathy83,
Welcome to our forum although I am sorry for the reasons that brings you here.
Its sounds like a really worrying time for you. Have you been given any numbers for the haematology team that are looking after your dad? If so, I would recommend contacting them. They will want to know if he is getting weaker and not getting out of bed especially if this is a new symptom along with the reduced appetite.
Did the GP prescribe your dad any antibiotics? As @Erica said when you have an infection and/or are on antibiotics you can feel awful and it can affect your appetite however the symptoms your dad is experiencing could also be due to Lymphoma. The haematology team may wish to see your dad sooner.
If you would like to discuss this further, please do contact us on our support line on 08082080 888. We are here until 4pm today.
Please let us know how you get on , we are all here for you.
Fiona ( support services nurse)
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Thank you Fiona and all for your responses. After my post, dad ended up in A&E Monday with flu 
He is currently receiving treatment including oxygen and tamiflu. Today he has been formally diagnosed by the Haematology team with T cell Lymphoma, the stage is unknown as due to the flu he was unable to have the bone marrow biopsy. They have suggested treatment will take place once he is over the flu. I just feel so sad and scared. I’m hoping he has some quality of life. Hoping 2025 gets better
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Oh @Cathy83 it is obviously a worrying, scary and sad time for you, I reckon the unknown always is, but your dad sounds in good medical hands.
Perhaps just take it a day at a time, keep posting how you both are and the Blood Cancer UK support line is also there for you on 0808 2080 888
Care for yourself as well as you care for your dad.
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Dear @Cathy83,
I am so sorry to hear this and completely understand how worrying this time must be for you.
Whilst I know its so hard to see your dad in hospital, it sounds like this is the best place for him at the moment to receive the treatment that he needs.
I have enclosed some of our information on T Cell Lymphoma here T Cell Lymphoma and also further information from Lymphoma Action on T Cell Lymphoma which you might find helpful Lymphoma Action T Cell Lymphoma.
As @Erica said, we are all here for you. Please do not hesitant to call our support line on 0808 2080 888 if you would like to talk or have other questions.
Thinking of you all
Fiona (support services nurse)
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