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Prehabilitation means getting ready for treatment before it starts. This can mean preparing yourself physically and mentally for the treatment, as well as thinking about extra support you might need during and after the treatment.
Treatment can be difficult, with side effects that may go beyond the course of your treatment. It’s a good idea to get your body into the best shape possible to cope with treatment and help you feel even better after you’ve finished.
Focussing on looking after yourself before treatment can also help you feel a sense of control over your health.
Sometimes, you might not have much notice before your treatment starts, or you might find making these changes overwhelming. Just do what you can and be kind to yourself.
There’s not a specific exercise routine you should be doing before your treatment, it all depends on your own fitness and ability. You may not feel well enough to think about exercising, or it might have been a long time since you’ve exercised regularly. Don’t worry, exercise doesn’t just mean going to the gym or heading out for a run, it can be things as simple as:
It’s also a good idea to build muscle strength. You can do this by lifting weights or yoga.
Exercising with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia is safe and recommended – there are lots of benefits, both physical and mental. However, if you have peripheral neuropathy or symptoms affecting your ability to move, be mindful of activities that you do. For example, if your balance is affected you may want to do exercise with someone who can help you, or somewhere you have a handrail to steady yourself.
Adults are recommended to do 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week (that’s activities that use more energy than when you’re resting). If you’re new, or coming back, to exercise, start slowly – 10 minutes a day – and build up.
Eating a balanced diet can also help you feel better in yourself, whilst keeping you as healthy as possible before and during treatment. Try to eat a wide range of fruit and vegetables and include protein and carbohydrates. Read more about eating healthily with WM
When you start treatment your appetite and eating habits may change and it is worth discussing with your healthcare team if you feel eating or maintaining your weight is challenging.
You may be feeling overwhelmed or even scared by the thought of going on treatment. Looking after your mental health now will help you cope with these feelings, as well as during treatment itself. There are a few ways you can prepare mentally:
It’s a good idea to talk to your employer about going on treatment. You may need time off work to attend hospital appointments, or because you don’t feel well enough to work. You may need to modify how you work – for example working from home or avoiding physically strenuous tasks.
Decisions about work are very individual and depend on your particular circumstances. You may need to work reduced hours or feel that you need a period of time off work. If you do have time off work, you may want a phased return. It is important to discuss this with your healthcare team as they can talk you through it, give advice and provide a letter of support to take to your employer if needed.
Because you have cancer, the law considers you to be disabled. This means that your employer can’t treat you differently than people without cancer, or discriminate against you due to your Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinaemia or reasons linked to your WM. You can find out more on the Acas website
There is financial support available, whether you are employed or self-employed. More information about working with WM.
When you are on treatment, your normal daily routine could be disrupted, especially if you need to go into hospital for tests or treatment itself. To make sure life can run as smoothly as possible you might want to think about organising things beforehand. Keep in mind things like:
