Accept that you are allowed to feel all of these feelings to begin with. It's perfectly normal. However, there are a few things you can do to improve your mental health, including:
- Discuss the concerns and feelings with your closest family members and/or friends. You and your partner will discuss together what can be done to feel better.
- Choose one or two things at a time to start working on to alleviate tension. These should be issues you have control over such as your work situation, or getting back to a healthy weight.
- At your next appointment, be sure to tell your general practitioner or cancer care team how you’ve been feeling. They may be able to offer medications that can help you if necessary.
- You can find out if you would benefit from talking to other survivors. Support groups, as well as other services for patients and survivors, such as art therapy, meditation or yoga classes, journaling, and so on, are available.
- Consult a mental health practitioner (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, counselor, or therapist) who is familiar with the emotional aspects of cancer. Professional counseling assistance is available in the following ways:
- Inquire with your cancer center for clinical therapy advice.
- The American Society of Psychosocial Oncology (APOS). Psychosocial oncology is concerned with the social, psychological, emotional, and spiritual sides of cancer. To find out if counseling is available in your area, call APOS' Helpline at 1-866-276-7443.
- CancerCare© offers telephone counseling by trained oncology social workers. Visit www.cancercare.org or call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673)
- Cancer Support Community offers telephone counseling by trained oncology social workers. Visit www.cancersupportcommunity.com or call their Helpline at 1-888-793-9355.
- Cancer Information and Counseling Line are available through the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Visit their website or call 1-800-525-3777.
| LUNGevity’s Lung Cancer Navigator Mobile App- The LUNGevity Lung Cancer Navigator app was created for lung cancer patients, family caregivers, and support team members to manage life after a lung cancer diagnosis. It offers resources and platforms for patients to ask questions, detail symptoms, and manage medications, as well as helping them understand their diagnosis. The app is a great way to communicate with their healthcare providers and to request support from friends and family. Here patients receive alerts related to upcoming appointments, when medications need to be taken, and informational tips & more. They can explore articles and information based on their lung cancer diagnosis and collaborate with their personalized caregiver team. The app may be downloaded on Android phones and iPhone. |  |
References-
1. LUNGevity’s Lung Cancer Navigator Mobile App. (2016, November 15). LUNGevity Foundation. https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lungevitys-lung-cancer-navigator-mobile-app#:~:text=LUNGevity%27s%20Lung%20Cancer%20Navigator%20Mobile%20App.%20The%20LUNGevity
2. https://go2foundation.org/resources-and-support/emotional-support/