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What are your favorite hobbies or distractions?

Life with lung cancer can be stressful. Whether it’s scanxiety, biopsies, or something unrelated to cancer, we all feel overwhelmed from time to time. What do you do to take your mind off of things when feeling overwhelmed?

  1. Living with terminal cancer for 2 and 1/2 years, I feel mostly anxious, sometimes impatient, and a sense of being lost in time (limbo?). I take care of my small vegetable garden in my back yard as much as possible. I can usually work for about 30 minutes at a time, with long breaks in between. I put my headphones on and listen to sports talk radio, country music. or classic rock, depending on my mood.

    I change things up by staying indoors during the hottest/coldest times of the year. I spend much of that time doing NFL football research. I participate in "fantasy football" leagues every year (something I had done for years with my Dad, before he passed away due to lung cancer). The level of research and studying I choose to do can be a year round hobby.

    I also spend much of my time cooking and learning new recipes and techniques, etc. My first 2 preferences are grilling and smoking meats and vegetables. But I move indoors when the weather demands it, and I bake, make stews, soups, roasts, and I like to make my own breads and pasta.

    One thing I have found, and I have done this almost every day since being released from the hospital, is that sticking to some form of a regular routine helps me feel somewhat normal?. I get up, shave/shower, read the news over breakfast and coffee, and plan my day.

    Another thing, the most important thing I do daily, is spend time in prayer. No TV, radio, or any distractions. This personal alone time is the most important part of my day. A distant second is my "workout time". My Oncologists love this one. One functioning lung, and I can do a half mile, sometimes much more on my treadmill. I do my breathing treatments while I walk.

    That is how I make it through the day to day. I can't wait to read stories and suggestions from the rest of you! Take care and keep the Faith

    1. , your day is quite full. What's the pray about? How do you pray? Do you recite for something? I'm not familiar to pray, and obviously, I don't pray, but I'm interested. Christine, lungcancer.net team

  2. Soonerick
    I start my day by making my breakfast every morning then check my e mails & face book
    Then go outside & water all my flowers then
    have 2 sit down for a while
    I have 2 old cars that I maintained & take them2 car shows
    Also go to stores always need some thing
    I try to think positive about cancer but get depressed when I go to Chemo my Oncologist said they can not do surgery
    If the Chemo doesn’t work hope there is a plan B & that GOD will watch over me

    1. , "Think positive" is what we shou

  3. I have taught myself how to use crochet thread making Christmas decorations, doilies and tablecloths. When you have to count each stitch, you don't have time to think about the negative things. Most days it works for me

    1. That is wonderful to hear that you have found something to distract you! Best, Diane - Lungcancer.net moderator

    2. , it's amazing, and it's a good strategy that you have no time for the negative things. I do puzzle these days, but I'm not good at it. Still taking my mind off something that I don't want to think. Christine, lungcancer.net

  4. I love caring for and watching my flock of chickens and tending to my garden.I love nature and have many bird feeders and love all the many beautiful birds.

    1. Hi . There is a lot to be said for the healing power of nature. Thought you might be interested in this interview our editorial team did with a professor and landscape architect who builds therapeutic gardens: https://lungcancer.net/living/healing-gardens. He discusses his views on the healing of nature. Wishing you the best. Richard (LungCancer.net Team)

    2. , wow, I love that. I often stared at my backyard, enjoying my flowers, birds, rabbits and scrolls. I didn't think about the healing power. Christine, lungcancer.net

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