Health Leader Answers: Mental Health From Diagnosis to Treatment

We asked some of our Health Leaders about their experiences managing their mental health and relationships after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Their answers highlight the emotional effect of a lung cancer diagnosis, as well as the varied coping and strength-building approaches they used. If you are experiencing a similar situation, their stories may inspire and guide you!

Managing emotions after a lung cancer diagnosis

Can you describe your initial emotional response upon being diagnosed with lung cancer, and how did you manage those feelings in the early stages of your journey?

"There was disbelief that cancer found me at stage 4 and grief that my healthy life was not enough. My deep faith in God has given me strength, peace, and courage to face my journey from diagnosis until today." – Lalaine

"When I was first diagnosed in 2017, I tell people that it was the gut punch of my life. The cold hard truth was that I was only focused on having cancer, and that meant death and dying. I went to a really difficult and dark place.

I was able to overcome some of that by reaching out to online support groups and finding people my age living with this disease. They were working and taking care of their families, planning vacations, and living intentionally every day, and that was really encouraging to see. I had in my mind the debilitated cancer patient that television portrays, as I had never been around anyone walking a cancer journey. – Ashley

"When I was diagnosed with lung cancer I felt totally numb. I sat there staring at the wall in disbelief. Then fear entered me, and I realized I was going to die young and leave my kids at such an early age. Then it was followed by sadness and depression.

I honestly don’t know how I was able to manage all those feelings, but I did. I refused to give in and refused to let lung cancer take away what little bit of joy I had left. I started by telling myself, 'You’re going to survive this.'" – Juanita

Effective strategies for maintaining mental health

What coping mechanisms or strategies did you find most effective in maintaining your mental health throughout your treatment?

"Meditation through prayers, breathing techniques, listening to music, gentle yoga, talking to fellow lung cancer survivors, and sharing my personal journey are ways to keep my good mental health. – Lalaine

"I decided I needed to speak to a professional about how to cope with these dark places. I knew the counselor couldn’t take it all away, but it was an unbiased, nonjudgmental fellow human who could empathize with me without me expressing those dark thoughts to my family members who, quite frankly, didn’t want to hear it. I can’t blame them. I didn’t want to face it or think about it either." – Ashley

"What helped me to maintain my mental health was continuing my CrossFit. Going and working out and meeting new weightlifting goals kept me sane, plus it gave me hope!" – Juanita

How lung cancer impacts relationships and why support systems matter

How did your experience with lung cancer affect your relationships with family and friends, and what role did these relationships play in supporting your mental well-being?

"Living with lung cancer, I remain appreciative of the support I get from my family, close friends, and support groups. Their existence makes me realize that I am not alone." – Lalaine

"I have a huge support system, and many people rallied around me showing me love like I had never experienced before. However, my mother took my diagnosis personally and was afraid that something was going to happen to me and that there would not be anyone to take care of her, as I am an only child.

"Hearing this from my mother was very difficult. I couldn’t do anything about my diagnosis but follow doctors’ orders and accept available treatments. I felt this was a bit selfish of my mother, but at the same time, I understood that she was merely expressing her fear of this unknown as well.

"My husband is my biggest support and has remained positive every step of the way. He was just as confused and upset as I was upon initial diagnosis. Almost 6 and a half years later, he supports me however I need him to when I am having a down day and just don’t feel good. If I am still wearing what I slept in the night before when he comes home from work, he never says a word." – Ashley

"It brought us closer together, and we realized that doing even the smallest things mattered. I did have some friends who fell off the face of the earth, and I never heard from them. But that was okay – they weren’t true friends to begin with. But the ones who stood by my side were very supportive, loving, and in some sense nurturing." – Juanita

Resources for staying positive

Were there any specific resources, such as support groups, therapy, or mindfulness practices, that significantly helped you stay positive and mentally resilient?

"The Facebook groups online and being able to connect with people walking the same journey as myself were very helpful. Some of those people I connected with became very close friends even though I had never met them in real life. I would chat with many of them privately several times a week. I felt like I was not alone, and that was significant.

"I had a friend diagnosed with breast cancer only 4 days after my lung cancer diagnosis. I had someone to do this very hard thing with in real life even though our stories and journeys were very different. I feel like just being able to talk about things with other warriors was therapeutic because we understood each other in a way that even our spouses and closest friends couldn’t really understand." – Ashley

"The support groups on Facebook really helped me to stay positive and focused. Lung cancer organizations that have summits like Lungevity’s Hope Summit helped me to continue my fight and stay very hopeful and positive. I’m a spiritual person and do believe in a divine creator but I was never a church person, nor do I believe in religion. I did attend a church right after I was diagnosed, and it did help me tremendously. I was able to carry that with me." – Juanita

Finding peace during a lung cancer battle

What advice would you give to others currently battling lung cancer regarding maintaining their mental health and finding moments of peace and sanity during such a challenging time?

"There are real struggles, roller-coaster emotions, uncertain side effects, and the list goes on. Survivorship thrives through accepting these realities as part of our journey and not allowing them to bring us down." – Lalaine

"First and foremost, stay away from internet searches, especially about things like prognosis. Those articles are not kind at all. Find real people to chat with on the internet. Many of us are willing to tell our story and offer good vibes.

"I think it’s important to not keep it all in. I think it’s important to get out how you are feeling either with someone close to you or a counselor. I am a praying person and relied heavily on prayer, and I still do. Lastly, many people would tell me to 'live one day at a time.' And while that is very true and a great perspective, that’s all we could do before a cancer journey. – Ashley

"My advice would be to seek a professional therapist because it sure can help you with your mental health. I also advise you to find something you love to do and just do it – live the moment with no regrets. It does wonders for our mental health.

"Set a goal and work toward that goal. It helps us stay focused and positive toward that goal. And when it’s accomplished, it does wonders for our mental health." – Juanita