Lymphoma Voices (podcasts)

In this podcast Clare Montagu, CEO at Poppy's Funerals and Dallas Pounds, Director of Services at Lymphoma Action, cover a subject often not spoken about. They talk through some of the myths and misunderstandings around funerals as well as some of the facts and practicalities. They talk about steps and choices you can make to ensure it is personal to you and enabling you to give the send-off you would like. They also discuss some questions you could ask potential funeral directors when you plan a funeral.

A keen runner and weightlighter, Melinda thought she had pulled a muscle on her shoulder. She held off going to see her GP until things were a lot worse and also tried a chiropractor, hoping this would make a difference. But nothing was improving and she then developed pain in her back as well as a numbness that moved up her body. By the time she went back to see a GP, she could barely move, so was referred to A&E where CT and MRI scans revealed a tumour on her spine. She was transferred immediately to neurosurgery where an operation was carried out to remove the tumour, which was then biopsied. Melinda was told she had stage 4 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In the podcast Melinda explains having to tell her family, including her children, about her cancer and the tremendous support they provided. Now 4 years in remission, she reflects on how her diagnosis has changed her outlook on life and having to come to terms with the new Melinda.

Dr Mike Scanlan is a retired therapist and lecturer in mental health at the University of Northampton and De Montford University. In this podcast he talks to Lymphoma Action’s Anne Hook about sleep and achieving good, restorative sleep.

Many people worry about getting a good night’s sleep and the more you worry about it, the harder it is for your brain to allow you to get to sleep. In this podcast Mike covers the architecture of sleep, difficulty getting off to sleep and how this varies from insomnia, and getting back to sleep after waking during the night. He also addresses the particular problems people may have if they have symptoms of lymphoma, such as itching or peripheral neuropathy.

In this podcast Mike talks through a number of techniques that people can try that may prove helpful. The first of these is the technique of writing things down that are playing on your mind, so your brain feels that anything troubling is being addressed. He then talks about cognitive shuffling, where you create pictures in your mind to help you try to get back to sleep, and later Mike provides visualisation techniques where you place your worries on a ‘Leaves on a Stream’ and let them float away.

Mike explains that we have a sleep window when people are more likely to be able to achieve good restorative sleep. He talks through a number of gentle changes that can have a big impact. These include sleeping in complete darkness, controlling the time you have caffeinated drinks and cooling the body in preparation for sleep. He also talks about the benefit of exercise, especially if it is taken in the morning and outdoors. For many people, having dropped off to sleep, they wake up during the night. Mike provides ideas to try and minimise the disruption of this and offers strategies to drop off again quickly. In this podcast to nap or not to nap is discussed as well as alternatives that may prove valuable. This includes NSDR (non-sleep deep relaxation), which is a type of meditative yoga which puts you into a relaxed restorative state which feels like a nap but without going to sleep.

Find out more about sleep and achieving restorative sleep by listening to the podcast.

Mez, a 42-year-old Indian Hindu with a young family, talks about his diagnosis and treatment for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. He speaks about the challenges of treatment and his struggles with fatigue and short-term memory loss.

Lead Pharmacist for Oncology, Tom Kerry, takes you behind the scenes of the hospital pharmacist. He explains how the pharmacist provides the expertise when it comes to medicines and how they are key in ensuring newly approved drugs are available for patients.   

Mike and Kasia talk about their diagnosis of mycosis fungoides (MF), a type of cutaneous (skin) lymphoma. Mike has had MF since 1999 while Kasia was diagnosed in 2023. They discuss the challenges of getting a diagnosis, living with a rare condition and the impact on them and their family. They also talk about treatments, including Mike's allogeneic stem cell transplant.

Def Leppard guitarist Viv Campbell talks about his diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma. Troubled by a number of symptoms, Viv shares his feelings on having a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, his determination to keep working in a career he loves, and the challenges of various treatments he has had to keep one step ahead of his cancer.

Helen Knight, Director of Medicines and Evaluation at the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), talks about Health Technology Assessments and their role in making new treatments available through the NHS.

Dallas and Lesley talk about the importance of having timely conversations about our wishes with those that are important to us. Knowing that those we leave to make decisions on our behalf clearly know our thoughts can be both empowering and reassuring, leaving you to pack your wishes in a box and get on with life. Please note: this podcast contains information that some people may find upsetting.

John’s lymphoma story begins almost 50 years ago with a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma that was kept from him. In a twist of fate, his daughter also received a blood cancer diagnosis. John talks about how his lymphoma experience led him to a career as a lymphoma clinical nurse specialist and more recently an author.

Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Professor George Mikhaeel, explains what radiotherapy therapy is and when it is used in the treatment of lymphoma. Although radiotherapy was available before chemotherapy, there have been enormous advances in this form of treatment and Professor Mikhaeel explains how and when it offers a really targeted approach to treatment.

Lou was diagnosed with follicular lymphoma in 2017. In this podcast, she talks about how living with a low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma can be challenging; wondering when and if you will need treatment again, the impact of living with lymphoma on her mental health, and the value of information and support at the right time.

John Murray, Nurse Clinician in Bone Marrow Transplant and Angie Leather, Lead Nurse for Transplant and Haematology CNS discuss the role of stem cell transplants in the treatment of lymphoma. They talk about the important differences between allogeneic (donor) and autologous (self) transplants and the challenges in deciding between them.
Please note: this podcast contains information on side effects and treatment outcomes that may be potentially upsetting.

Lyle was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021, at the age of 19. In this podcast, Lyle and his mum Julie talk about their shared experience of lymphoma, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond, and how their experience inspired them to fundraise for Lymphoma Action.

In this podcast, Manil Subesinghe, talks to us about the vital role radiology plays in the diagnosis and management of lymphoma. This podcast gives an insight into this key role in guiding treatment and decision-making, reviewing treatment outcomes, and in overall supporting individuals with lymphoma.

Two of our volunteers Penny and Mark join Carly, Volunteering Development Manager, to share life as a Lymphoma Action volunteer and how their volunteering makes a difference for people affected by lymphoma and their own personal experience of lymphoma.

Shortly after 28-year-old Nia had moved to the UK from the USA, she discovered a lump in her neck. Here she talks about her diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, how healthcare differs in the UK compared with the USA, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and ways she coped with treatment.

In this episode, Anne Hook, Lymphoma Action's Publication Manager is in conversation with Katie, who has lymphoma and has been receiving treatment through a clinical trial.

In this podcast, Advanced Nurse Practitioner Charlotte Bloodworth explains what relapsing in lymphoma means, strategies for treating and managing relapse, and support strategies for coping with concerns around relapse.

Lord Menzies Campbell, Patron of Lymphoma Action, talks to the Charity's Chief Executive, Ropinder Gill, about his esteemed and varied career, how some of his greatest achievements have been since his diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2002 and the important role that charities play when influencing policy and decision makers to ensure better health outcomes for those affected by cancer.

Bridget Wilkins, Consultant Haematopathologist, takes us through the fascinating topic of pathology: what it is and the role it plays in the diagnosis and management of lymphoma. This podcast gives an insight into this important role within the multidisciplinary team supporting individuals with lymphoma.

Scotland 7s international rugby union player and Team GB member, Robbie Fergusson, and Lymphoma Action volunteer Mike Taylor both reflect on their experiences with lymphoma. Robbie talks about the impact of his Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis on his career at the time, his recovery post-treatment and his experience of taking part in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Palliative Care Consultant and NHS England National Clinical Advisor for Enhanced Supportive Care, Dr Dan Monnery talks about the principles of enhanced supportive care (ESC), the benefits to this approach and how it differs from other types of care, and his wish that ESC be offered to everyone receiving a cancer diagnosis.

In this podcast, poet, author and illustrator Giles Andreae reflects on his lymphoma experience. He talks about an extraordinary initial diagnosis (3:32), his determination to preserve his fertility (8:43) and his treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma (19:36). He explains why he only wants to write about love and happiness (32:00) and how a later cancer diagnosis was even more challenging (33:30). Published in August 2021.

In this podcast, Bridgerton and Derry Girls actor Jamie Beamish talks to us about his experience of Hodgkin lymphoma, the impact his diagnosis had on his career at the time and the stem cell transplant he received as part of his treatment. Published in March 2021.

In this podcast, Emma talks to us about her experience of supporting her sister, Sarah, who has a diagnosis of lymphoma. Published in February 2021.

In this podcast, sisters Sarah and Emma talk to us about Sarah's diagnosis of lymphoma in 2020, and the emotional challenges of supporting a loved one at a distance. Published in February 2021.

In this podcast, Consultant Counselling Psychologist Angela Waind talks to Lymphoma Action's Karen Bonell about emotional wellbeing and mental health, the links with physical health, and strategies to help support positive mental wellbeing. Recorded on 9 December 2020.

In this podcast, consultant haematologist Dr Graham Collins talks to Lymphoma Action's Anne Hook about why he feels that lymphoma is so interesting. Recorded on 27 November 2020.

In this podcast, Dr Sarah Jarvis talks to Lymphoma Action's Stephen Scowcroft about the role of the GP, not just in referring people who have symptoms of lymphoma, but also for those with a lymphoma diagnosis. Recorded on 28 August 2020.