How do I tell if increase in illnesses is due to lymphoma

Hi besthiker, Happy New Year 2026!!
What Stage? Do you think your immune system isn’t working efficiently enough? Have you looked at your diet/nutrition, exercise/stress levels? How did you find out? Any idea how you got FL (NHL)? You could be on watch and wait for next 20 years? Keep in touch

Hi @besthiker Having a blood condition such as follicular lymphoma can cause a disruption in the immune system, leaving a person immunocompromised. When that happens, the body has a more difficult time fending off bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Some of the infections may last longer than in the past because the immune system isn’t as robust, as you’ve been finding out with more frequent colds.

Follicular lymphoma tends to develop slowly and has different stages. At this time, you mentioned that your doctor has you on active surveillance (sounds nicer than watch and wait…that just feels like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop). You’ll have routine blood work and possibly some imaging over the years in the future to monitor any change.
Until then treatment isn’t necessary. But changes in how you manage your health may. I know how aggravating and seemingly unfair it is when you’ve been super healthy all your life and then, boom…rug pulled out from under. It’s been my life for the past 7 years. But it is possible to stay fairly healthy with a little extra effort. Basically following a ‘modified’ Covid protocol is helpful. Masking up, lots of hand washing, don’t touch your face without washing hands first, etc… Drink plenty of water daily, fresh air, sunshine, exercise and avoiding germy situations can make a huge difference in avoiding colds and flu.

Wish I had better news for you on the cold front but a few little lifestyle changes may help you avoid them. Do you wear masks while out shopping, in meetings, family events?

@loribmt
I do not tend to now though I did during Covid. Where I barely got sick. I’ll try to do that more but voice is bad due to cold complications.

It does suck, as you say. My oncologist doesn’t think my colds this year are related but he doesn’t know about latest cold and how long the last one lasted. I get blood work in 2 weeks so I’ll see immunoglobulin levels then. But I think ones immune system can be worse even without those abnormal IG levels. But I don’t have a reference offhand. Good to hear you didn’t need treatment despite increase in infections. Or sort of good.

@steiner
No idea how I got it. It is random as far as I can tell unless you count being older.
I found out by chance with an unrelated CT. I think my immune system is not as strong but obviously hard to prove. I had a long cold 6 months before diagnosis which was notable to me at the time . I exercise a lot. I eat okay.

@loribmt very very helpful, thank you!! Scottie

@besthiker I only ask because I was under incredible stress at work which I believe weakened my immune system and hence the appearance of the Primary Cutaneous extra nodal Marginal Zone B-Cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a single isolated 1 cm tumour which was growing from 2012 to 2022 when it was surgically excised September 2022, by my Consultant Dermatologist - it started out as a minuscule red dot 🔴 with a circle ⭕️ around it, I was initially informed it was a Basal Cell Carcinoma which I would have MUCH preferred it to be!! My immune system let me down back then.

Do you have a stressful job?

Nothing since, now 3 years and 3 months later. But I’m very jumpy about the tiniest little red spot now and feel as if my world has changed forever! I am very sad.

Hope all is well with you.

@steiner Hi Scottie, I know what it’s like to have a life altering diagnosis. It does feel like your world has changed forever…and basically it has but not necessarily for the worse, it’s just different. You were diagnosed, treated, recovered, still here and healthy! You were basically given a new starting point for your life, cancer free and ready to move on. But it’s a challenge to leave that baggage behind. I’ve been there! It’s important to not let that experience define you. Yes, it is part of who you are now, but it also can propel you to start living a more liberated life! I joke now about “living life like they left the gate open.” But that’s the feeling I have! I don’t waste a moment.

From what you’ve mentioned, you’ve been in remission now for 3 years, 3 months. If I can give you one piece of advice as a survivor of an aggressive blood cancer and bone marrow transplant, start living your life again without looking back over your shoulder. IF something develops Then you and your doctor will take care of it! But it may never happen! So any amount of time you give over to worry about ‘what if’ is absolutely wasted time when you could have been enjoying life to the fullest! I’ve posted this before, but it’s one of my favorite quotes that resonates with so many people:
Fear does not stop death. It stops life
And worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles.
It takes away today’s peace.

So I hope you’ll take that to heart in the beginning of this new year! Start living your life happy to be alive, happy to see each morning’s sunrise. Find joy in the little things. I hope your life is less stressful now. What are your favorite activities? Do you have family, pets, hobbies?

Hi Lori,
This IS the most amazing advice!!
I needed to hear this.

I will be eternally grateful to you for having sent me this, been feeling frozen.

I have basically been given a new starting point for my life, cancer free forevermore hopefully of ALL cancers - I am ready to move on NOW in January 2026!!

What I find difficult is the look of shock on people’s faces when they see me going for a walk or in a supermarket or coffee shop - 1 said, Lazarus risen from the dead, - find this sort of difficult.

I want to make a list of what “I” want to do in my life.

I’m going to post your quote on my wall:

Fear does not stop death. It stops life. And worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace.

Married. No children. Had 2 German Shepherd dogs. But our beautiful 10 yr old German Shepherd boy passed on 20 November 2025 from cancer, he was my soul dog, I miss him more than I can ever put into words. Everyday I’m trying to come to terms with his loss.

I’ll take your wonderful advice at the beginning of this New Year 2026 - to focus on my return to living life.

Happy New Year 2026 Lori!! wishing you and everyone on this site a healthy and happy year filled with success in everything we do!! Onwards and upwards