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Beyond Treatment

Focus on being well—and staying well

After treatment for lung cancer, there’s a great deal to look forward to—from more energy to more free time with family and loved ones. But while you may be entering a new and exciting chapter of your life, you may face unexpected challenges. Here are some issues that may arise, along with tips for handling them.

MANAGE YOUR EMOTIONS

After treatment, you may feel a range of difficult emotions, possibly including stress or loneliness.

To do:

  • Talk with a therapist or counselor to start working through the complex emotions related to your cancer journey.
  • Keep a journal to help identify and manage any post-traumatic stress.
  • Seek out support groups. Your stories may inspire other patients as they go through treatment.
  • Open up to friends and family. They’ll be more able to give you the support you need if they understand what you’re going through.

FOCUS ON YOUR HEALTH

You focused so closely on your health during treatment that it might be tempting to put those thoughts in the rear view. But try to keep prioritizing good diet, exercise, and medical care.

To do:

  • Make your appointments. Stick to the schedule of follow-up visits and tests recommended by your health care team.
  • Eat well. Try to have plenty of fruits and vegetables a day, and limit fatty foods and red meat.
  • Keep tabs on how you feel. Symptoms from treatment may linger for months or even years afterwards. Watch how you’re feeling and take note of when symptoms start to subside.
  • Be active. You don’t have a run a marathon—even just a few minutes of exercise a day can help you maintain strength and may reduce the risk of illness.

TELL YOUR STORY

After your treatment, you may be asked again and again about your journey through cancer. Plan ahead to make answering these questions easy on yourself and beneficial for others.

To do:

  • Come up with a story that sums up your experience.
  • Decide which details you want to include and which you want to leave out.
  • Consider crafting both a short version and a longer version of your story.
  • Practice telling your stories so you can respond quickly and easily when someone asks where you’ve been or how you’re feeling.

READ MORE ON:

DIAGNOSIS EXPLORE
PRE-TREATMENT EXPLORE
TREATMENT EXPLORE
beyond-TREATMENT EXPLORE

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