Strength for the Journey Virtual Retreat: Discovering the Joy of Gathering Together
You’re invited to join our next Strength for the Journey retreat, led by internationally recognized therapist, speaker and author Dr. Sharon May, Ph.D., LMFT.
This month’s focus, Discovering the Joy of Gathering Together, is about how community itself can become a source of strength. Beyond teaching and reflection, each retreat includes time in small groups—safe spaces to share, listen, and connect with others who truly understand.
In just 90 minutes, you’ll:
- Learn practical tools for coping with a late-stage diagnosis
- Break into small groups for guided sharing and connection
- Experience the healing power of community and discover joy in the act of gathering
This is more than a class—and more than a support group. It’s a therapist-led space to pause, breathe, and renew hope together.
📅 Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM EST (9:00 – 10:30 AM PT)
💻 Virtual session via Zoom
🎟️ Free to attend
Yoga, Meditation, and More Bring Relief
Yoga, Meditation, and Integrative Medicine Ease Cancer Treatment Side Effects
A new clinical trial shows that live, online classes in yoga, meditation, tai chi, and fitness can do more than just help patients feel calmer — they can actually reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. Patients who joined these virtual integrative medicine sessions during chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy reported less fatigue, anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping. Remarkably, they also needed fewer hospital stays, and when they were admitted, their time in the hospital was much shorter.
This approach, offered through Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Integrative Medicine at Home program, costs $25 per month and is available to patients anywhere — not just those treated at MSK. Many patients find the classes give them both physical strength and emotional support by connecting with others going through cancer. Other services like acupuncture and music therapy can also play a role in making treatment more tolerable. Research continues to grow, with hopes of expanding access nationwide. For patients and caregivers, these integrative therapies provide a safe, evidence-based way to feel stronger and more supported throughout cancer treatment. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
Veteran Speaks Out to Save Others
Xavier Sanders spent 14 years proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force. But in 2022, his life changed when doctors discovered stage 4 lung cancer—despite never smoking. The cancer had already spread to his liver and brain. Now, Xavier is using his voice to speak out about the urgent need for earlier detection, better support, and more awareness—especially for service members exposed to burn pits and toxic chemicals during deployment.
He’s not just fighting for himself. Xavier is advocating for younger airmen who may not know what symptoms to watch for or how to get the right care. His wife, Chelsea, has become his strongest advocate—reminding others that “mental toughness” can sometimes hide real suffering. Together, they’re pushing for change in how military members with cancer are seen, heard, and supported.
Now a passionate advocate, Xavier is using his story and his brand, Trillionaires Only, to inspire others to fight with authenticity, courage, and hope. “Every day is a new day to fight,” he says. “We can’t afford to stay quiet.” (Source: Xavier’s Story, March 2024)
The Power of Friendship When Facing Cancer
When you’re walking through something as overwhelming as cancer, one of the most powerful lifelines you can hold onto is this: you don’t have to walk it alone.
I’m Dr. Sharon May with Stage4Hope, and I want to share two important truths backed by research—and rooted in real-life experience—that can bring you comfort and strength:
- Good friends truly matter.
- A positive mindset can make all the difference.
We already know that going through something difficult with a friend by your side makes it easier. But science now confirms this truth in a profound way. In Dr. James Coan’s research, people were given mild electric shocks—yes, you read that right!—but when they held the hand of someone they deeply cared about, the stress response in their brain significantly decreased. The pain was more bearable simply because someone they loved was there.
That’s the power of presence.
Another powerful study published in Psycho-oncology (2010) followed cancer survivors for eight years. They found that those who received meaningful emotional support just three months after their diagnosis experienced post-traumatic growth—they were better emotionally, mentally, and spiritually years later. Support doesn’t just help in the moment—it shapes how you move through your cancer journey and who you become on the other side.
So what does this mean for you?
It means you need people. And they need you, too.
Here are a few thoughts I hope will encourage you:
- Reach out to two or three friends. Keep those friendships going. Be intentional. Let the conversation be mutual—yes, talk about your cancer journey, but also listen your friend’s everyday stories. Friendship flows both ways.
- Join a group. If you didn’t have many close connections at the start of your journey, it’s never too late. A support group creates a place to belong, to connect, and to share with people who understand. You can also begin by joining one of our virtual women’s retreats. With gentle teaching and encouraging community you will find friendship and strength for your journey.
- Teach your friends how to walk this road with you. It’s okay to tell them what’s helpful and what’s not. Sometimes they won’t know what to say—help them out. You’ll learn together.
- Teach your family how to be there with you. This journey is difficult for both you and your family. Your family will go between grief for you and grief for themselves. Which means your spouse or children will, at times, struggle with their own emotions of fears, anger, depression, loss and grief. And for certain your family will not always say the most comforting things nor be there the way you hope. They will probably disappoint you leaving you hurt and maybe alone. Families are complicated, but now is the time to let go of resentment and small irritations. Make an effort to be there for each other, one struggle at a time, one day at a time. If it gets too complicated, reach out for professional help from a counselor or relationship coach.
- Keep being you. Cancer may be part of your story right now, but it is not the whole story. You are still you—funny, strong, sensitive, quirky, wise. Hold onto your identity and let it shine in your relationships.
- Stay connected to your world. You still have a family, a neighborhood, hobbies and routines. Keep participating in what makes life rich and meaningful. You have so much to give—and receive.
- Don’t isolate. This is the hardest part for some. But I gently encourage you: risk reaching out. Let someone be there for you. Hold someone’s hand—literally or figuratively. It truly makes a difference.
I’m cheering you on, friend. You are not alone. And here at Stage4Hope, we’re walking alongside you every step of the way.
If you’re looking for connection, encouragement, and growth, I invite you to join our upcoming women’s virtual retreat. It’s a time to rest, be renewed, and find community with other brave women walking their own journeys.
Reach out—we’d love to hear from you.
Author- Dr. Sharon May
The Importance of Social Support and Being Positive When Facing Cancer
- (2010, January 19). Type of social support matters for prediction of post-traumatic growth among cancer survivors.
- Coan, J.A., Schaefer, H.S., & Davidson, R.J. (2006). Lending a hand: Social regulation of the neural response to threat. Psychological Science.
Emotional Support Changes Everything
Why Emotional Support and Mindset Matter More Than We Think
When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, the focus often turns immediately to medical treatment. But research continues to show that emotional support and a positive outlook can play a powerful role in long-term well-being and healing.
A study published in Psycho-oncology (2010) found that cancer survivors who received strong emotional support within three months of diagnosis experienced greater emotional health and post-traumatic growth even eight years later. The takeaway? Early support helps people make sense of their experience and fosters healing far beyond the treatment room.
Another study in Psychological Health (2016) revealed that patients with a generally positive disposition experienced less anxiety, depression, and impairment both at diagnosis and one year later. Their optimism didn’t deny the reality of illness—it helped them navigate it with more resilience.
Importantly, Psycho-oncology (2016) also emphasized the power of balance. Breast cancer patients who were able to “hold both hope and reality—expecting the best but preparing for the worst-” did better emotionally and functionally over time.
These studies all point to the same conclusion:
Positivity and meaningful support deeply impact how we experience cancer and how well we live through it.
Our ability to fight for life—to keep showing up with hope and purpose—comes from within, but it’s strengthened by faith, relationships, and the meaning we make in the face of suffering. It’s not about pretending everything is okay. It’s about walking through the valley with courage, supported and strengthened by those who walk with us.
Author- Dr. Sharon May
Psycho-oncology. (2010, January 19). Type of social support matters for prediction of post-traumatic growth among cancer survivors.
Psychological Health. (2016, May 31). Being positive despite illness: The contribution of positivity to the quality of life of cancer patients.
Psycho-oncology. (2016, August 25). Expecting the best and being prepared for the worst
Thriving Through the Storm
Thriving Through the Storm: The Beethoven Factor
Hearing the words “You have cancer,” and then, “You have Stage 4 cancer,” can feel like the ground has given way beneath you. It’s a shattering, disorienting moment—one that changes everything. The question becomes: how do you find your footing again? How do you not only get through this cancer journey, but truly live in the midst of it, flourish along the way, and—dare I say—become a deeper, stronger, more wholehearted version of yourself?
Let me share with you a story I return to often—one I find both grounding and inspiring.
Beethoven, the great composer, slowly lost his hearing. At one point, the weight of his deafness drove him to deep despair. He became withdrawn and depressed. But years later, something shifted. He didn’t just endure his suffering—he rose above it. He composed and conducted his breathtaking 9th Symphony, Ode to Joy, while completely deaf.
Yes, deaf.
And yet that music was bursting with joy. Because of the adversity he faced—and because of how he faced it—Beethoven discovered a deeper strength and a richer life. He wrote of finding no more room for self-pity, regret, or fear. He learned to embrace his life as it was and chose to find meaning, purpose, and even joy in the present moment.
This is what Dr. Paul Pearsall, a cancer survivor himself, called The Beethoven Factor. He believed that it’s not the pain, fear, or loss in life that defines us—it’s how we respond. It’s how we allow our adversity to shape us.
And that’s the key:
How do we let our pain refine us, grow us, and awaken us to live more intentionally?
What if, through the cancer journey, you could become more grounded, more compassionate, more alive to the beauty of the everyday? What if your life—as it is—could still be full of love, laughter, peace, and meaning?
You are not just surviving cancer. You are discovering who you are becoming because of it.
So take a deep breath. Feel your strength rise. Lean on others. Let joy and gratitude slip into your day, even in small moments. And keep showing up—as your truest, bravest, most resilient self.
This is how you thrive. This is the Beethoven Factor
Author- Dr. Sharon May
Pearsall, P. (2003). The Beethoven Factor: The New Positive Psychology of Hardiness, Healing, and Hope. Hampton Roads Publishing.
The Connection Between Cancer and Mental Health
When you hear the words “you have cancer,” your world is turned upside down. Everything changes—your body, your daily rhythm, your relationships, your responsibilities—and with that, your emotional and mental health can take a powerful blow. As a therapist and someone walking alongside many people facing life-impacting circumstances, I want to gently remind you: Your mental and emotional well-being matter. Greatly.
We often focus on the physical toll cancer takes—surgeries, treatments, fatigue—but cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It impacts your mind, your heart, your mood, your ability to cope, and your sense of identity. And that’s where we need to pause and pay attention.
In fact, the American Cancer Society reported that while the risk of dying from cancer has decreased over the past 30 years, the number of people diagnosed with cancer continues to rise. In 2024, over 2 million people in the U.S. were expected to be diagnosed with cancer—nearly 5,000 new diagnoses every day. So yes, cancer is more than just a medical issue. It’s a human experience, and it stirs everything inside of us.
You are not weak if you feel overwhelmed.
It’s completely understandable to feel fear, sadness, panic, confusion, or even anger. Life as you knew it has changed. You may grieve the life you had, feel uncertain about your future, and wonder how to keep going. The shock of the diagnosis, the fatigue from treatment, and the weight of loss—these things are real and valid.
That’s why it’s so important to care for your emotional and mental health. Your mind and body are connected, and what you feel emotionally will absolutely influence how you respond physically. If you’ve already struggled with anxiety or depression before your diagnosis, you may find those feelings amplified now. You’re not alone in this—and it’s okay to ask for support.
So what can help?
Let me share 8 meaningful practices recommended by Dr. Daniel Amen, a trusted voice in brain health, along with a few of my own additions:
- Challenge Your Negative Thoughts
Don’t believe every scary, negative thought about what might happen that runs through your mind. Ask yourself: Is this true? Is this helpful? Gently interrupt your doomsday spirals and look for a new perspective. Your thoughts shape how you feel—so let’s train them to be kind and wise.
- Tame Your Inner Dragons
Those fearful inner voices—the ones that tell you “you’re not enough” or “you won’t make it”—can roar loud. But you are allowed to speak back to them with truth, compassion, and courage. Name them. Face them. Then gently hush them. Replace them with beliefs and words of hope, courage and the love that can affirm your strength to get you through.
- Surround Yourself with Support
Having safe people around you—whether it’s a few close friends, a support group, or a community like Stage4Hope—makes a difference. We were created for connection. Don’t walk this road alone. Join us in one of our retreats or women’s groups where you can be encouraged and known.
- Keep Doing What Brings You Joy
Maybe it looks different now, but you can still write, paint, sing, bake, help someone else, or enjoy the simple beauty of a good book or warm tea. Purpose and joy are healing—keep reaching for them.
- Nourish Your Body Kindly
Eat well. Choose anti-inflammatory, life-giving foods. Stay hydrated. Limit sugar and alcohol. And—just as important—treat yourself now and then to something yummy that makes your heart smile. That’s nourishment too.
- Create Calming Rituals
Routines can ground us. Whether it’s a morning walk, a moment of prayer, deep breathing, reading Scripture, journaling, or putting sticky notes of hope around your room—these small acts can anchor you.
- Nurture Your Spiritual Life
This is a sacred time to reconnect with your Creator. Many people facing cancer find themselves longing for something deeper. Talk to God, ask your questions, reconnect with your sense of a higher power, let yourself be held by His love. He’s not afraid of your tears or doubts—He’s with you in it all.
- Keep Moving Forward
Even if it’s slow or small—keep going. Get out of bed. Stretch. Take a short walk. Movement lifts the fog. It releases feel-good chemicals. It reminds your body that you’re still here, still fighting, still living. Don’t underestimate its power.
Your mental health is not secondary. It’s essential.
It’s okay to feel broken at times. It’s okay to cry, to ask for help, to rest when the world feels too heavy. But I want you to also know: You can feel joy again. You can find beauty again. You can rise again.
Your quality of life is not just about how your body feels—it’s about how your heart is holding up. So give your mental health the care and space it deserves. Let your emotional well-being be part of your healing.
And remember, you are not alone. We’re here for you at Stage4Hope, ready to walk this journey with you.
Author- Dr. Sharon May
Stage4Hope
American Cancer Society. (2024). Cancer Facts & Figures.
Amen, D.G. (n.d.). Amen Clinics. https://www.amenclinics.com/
A New Cancer Therapy: Exercise
How Exercise and Cancer Treatment Outcomes
New Cancer patients may be surprised to learn they share something in common with astronauts in outer space.
It turns out that lying in bed and floating in zero gravity take a similar toll on the body, says Jessica Scott, PhD. She knows because she was a NASA scientist before joining the Exercise Oncology Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
“Astronauts have a lot of the same symptoms as cancer patients — being inactive and weightless can hurt fitness in a way similar to receiving a cancer treatment like chemotherapy,” Dr. Scott says. “Astronauts even get something called ‘space fog,’ which is similar to what people with cancer call ‘chemo brain.'”
When Dr. Scott saw how exercise can counteract the damage in space to the heart, brain, and muscles, she wanted to apply those lessons to benefit the millions of people with cancer.
Reducing the Toll of Cancer and Its Treatment
Contrary to popular belief, the best way for patients feeling depleted to recover is not necessarily to stay in bed.
“It’s now clear that exercise has major benefits for people being treated for cancer as well as for cancer survivors,” says MSK exercise physiologist Kylie Rowed. “In addition to improving physical and mental health, it can help minimize the long-term effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.”
The benefits can be dramatic. For example, MSK research showed that people who endure three months of chemotherapy had a 15% decline in fitness levels within three to six months of treatment — equal to a decade of aging. But exercising just three times a week significantly reduced that steep decline.
Recently, the Exercise Oncology Program has taken the research a step further, conducting studies that shed light on whether exercise can affect cancer survival and recurrence and help new cancer drug therapies work better.
There is even tantalizing evidence that exercise might change the biology of the cancer itself, slowing its growth.
A First-of-Its-Kind Clinical Trial
In July 2024, Dr. Jones’s team published results in JAMA Oncology from a groundbreaking clinical trial suggesting that specific amounts of exercise before surgery among men with early-stage prostate cancer can meaningfully improve two key biomarkers associated with better outcomes.
“To our knowledge, this is the first clinical trial to research the optimal amount of exercise therapy for people with any kind of cancer diagnosis,” Dr. Jones says.
Previous research, including MSK’s, had shown that exercise was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer progressing, and that men who report exercising regularly have a lower risk of dying from the cancer. But as all scientists know, correlation is not causation.
The true test is “treating” patients with controlled amounts of exercise therapy prescribed in the same way drugs are tested and prescribed — in specific “doses” administered over specific periods.
Researchers wanted to know: What is the most exercise people could reasonably be expected to do? Does the exercise have any biological effect on the tumor itself? And perhaps most important: How much exercise is enough?
To find out, the researchers studied 53 men scheduled to undergo surgery for prostate cancer at MSK. This allowed them to examine the tumor at two different points: when the tumor was biopsied at diagnosis and again at the time of surgery — usually about four weeks later. That provided a four-week window to test the effects of exercise alone, when none of the patients had undergone any treatments such as radiation or chemotherapy.
Participating in Research From Home
To make it as convenient as possible, the team found a way for most parts of the study to be done at home. They delivered a study kit that included a treadmill, an iPad loaded with apps, a smartwatch, a continuous glucose monitor, a blood pressure cuff, and a digital scale.
All exercise sessions consisted of walking on a treadmill while being monitored via Zoom by an exercise physiologist. Each participant was assigned one of the following “doses” of exercise:
- 90 minutes per week
- 150 minutes per week
- 225 minutes per week
- 300 minutes per week
- 375 minutes per week
- 450 minutes per week
The results were eye-opening. After exercise, the biomarkers either decreased or remained stable. Interestingly, there seemed to be a sweet spot: Most of the benefit was achieved with 225 minutes (3 hours and 45 minutes) of exercise a week. More than that amount had no greater impact on biomarkers.
“This was a key finding because it challenges the notion that ‘more is always better’ when it comes to exercise,” Dr. Scott says.
While encouraging, these results don’t prove exercise will improve someone’s cancer prognosis.
The researchers were looking only to see if exercise had an impact on the tumor, in the form of a biological signal over the short term. Determining if exercise leads to longer survival or better outcomes will require longer and larger clinical trials.
There is already a phase 2 clinical trial underway using the 225-minute dose level to better understand how exercise impacts prostate cancer progression. Similar trials are expected for other solid tumor cancers, including lung cancer, particularly those driven by specific mutations responding differently to exercise.
Establishing Exercise as Essential for Cancer Treatment and Prevention
“The hope is that people can be referred to an exercise physiologist who can give them a personalized prescription tailored to their physiology, tumor characteristics, and overall situation — much in the same way cancer drugs are personalized,” Dr. Scott says.
In the meantime, patients say exercising improves their overall well-being.
“I think the sense of control the exercise gave me was very important at a time when I was feeling somewhat helpless,” Robert says. “As a cancer patient, it was something 100% under my power that could help my recovery.” (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering News- 2025, Issue 1)
Resources for Living With Stage 4 Cancer
Learn more about topics like exercise and cancer treatment, along with other important aspects of living with Stage 4 cancer. Become a member of our community to receive inspiring stories, helpful resources, and updates on how we support individuals and families facing advanced-stage cancer. Stay informed with the latest research and gain early access to educational content.
Living Well with Stage 4 Cancer: Stories of Hope
A stage 4 cancer diagnosis, where cancer has spread beyond the original site, can be frightening. But thanks to advances in treatments and supportive care, many people are living longer and maintaining a good quality of life. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, patients like LaDawn Jefferson, Dennis Flaherty, and Antonio Lekhrajmal have beaten the odds—returning to activities they love, from running marathons to creating art while managing their disease with personalized care.
Others, like Jacqueline Hickey, have found relief from symptoms such as pain through coordinated treatments that address metastatic cancer’s challenges. These stories show that with the right care and new therapies, people with advanced cancer can continue to live fully and find hope even in difficult times. (Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering)
When a Cough Could Be Lung Cancer
A chronic cough is often just a sign of something like a cold, allergies, or asthma — but in some cases, it may be a warning sign of lung cancer. According to lung cancer experts, including Dr. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani of Emory University, a cough that lasts longer than 8 to 12 weeks, worsens over time, or comes with other symptoms like coughing up blood, chest tightness, or unexplained weight loss should not be ignored. While many types of cough can happen with lung cancer, the most common is a dry, persistent cough that doesn’t go away with typical treatments.
People with lung cancer may also experience pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, or coughing due to fluid buildup around the lungs. Treatments to ease this kind of cough vary. For some, shrinking the tumor with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy helps reduce coughing. Others may need fluid drained from their lungs or use home remedies like steam, hydration, or honey to manage the symptom. While only a small number of people with a chronic cough actually have lung cancer, it’s especially important for those at high risk — such as longtime smokers — to speak with their doctor and consider annual lung cancer screenings. (Source: Verywell Health)
Not Done Living
When Gary W. was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, his life took a sharp turn—but he never let it stop him. Married for 44 years and retired at age 59, Gary was on a dream trip with his wife visiting U.S. National Parks when a lingering cough led to a life-changing diagnosis. Doctors found tumors in both lungs and confirmed a HER2-positive mutation. Today, he is thriving on Enhertu, a drug originally designed for breast cancer, and credits his stable health, his family, and his mindset for helping him stay active and optimistic. He walks daily, handles chores, travels, and says, “I live very much like a normal person.”
Gary’s story is a powerful reminder that lung cancer is not a dead end. With better treatments and more research happening every year, there is real hope for patients—even with stage 4 disease. His advice to others: don’t give up, stay informed, and know that there are more options than ever before. “I don’t ever want to stop living,” he says. “I was determined not to let lung cancer slow me down—if anything, it’s accelerated me.”
Coping with Cancer: Finding Strength, Hope, and Meaning
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is life-changing. It can feel like the ground beneath you has shifted, leaving you overwhelmed, afraid, and uncertain about the future. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or navigating life after treatment, coping with cancer is a deeply personal and ongoing journey.
While no two experiences are the same, there are universal strategies and tools that can help you regain a sense of control, hope, and emotional resilience. This guide offers supportive, actionable steps to help you cope with cancer in a way that honors your emotions, your body, and your story.
1. Acknowledge and Accept Your Emotions
One of the first steps in coping with cancer is acknowledging your emotional response. Fear, anger, sadness, confusion, and even guilt are all common reactions. These emotions can come in waves or appear without warning. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed—there is no “right” way to respond.
Try this:
● Keep a journal to explore your thoughts and name your emotions.
● Speak kindly to yourself. Say, “I’m feeling afraid right now,” rather than “I shouldn’t feel this way.”
● Practice gentle affirmations: “It’s okay to feel what I feel. I am doing my best.”
Recognizing your emotional landscape helps you move through it with more compassion and less shame.
2. Build a Support System That Works for You
Coping with cancer is not something you have to do alone. Let people help you in ways that feel safe and meaningful. Support can take different forms for everyone—some need practical help, others require a quiet presence, and some need professional guidance.
Support ideas:
● Join an in-person or virtual cancer support group.
● Choose one trusted person to relay medical updates to others.
● Work with a therapist who specializes in chronic illness or grief.
Having a support system in place can reduce feelings of isolation and remind you that you are not alone.
3. Focus on What You Can Control
Cancer can leave you feeling powerless. While you may not have control over your diagnosis or treatment plan, you can make choices about how you manage each day. Shifting focus to what’s within your control can restore a sense of agency.
You might choose to:
● Decide who you share your diagnosis with and when.
● Set limits with people who increase stress or make unhelpful comments.
● Maintain small routines that nourish you, like eating well, resting, or taking a gentle walk.
Small decisions can make a big difference in how you experience each day.
4. Take Care of Your Whole Self
Coping with cancer goes beyond the physical—it also involves caring for your emotional, mental, and spiritual self. Whether you lean into creativity, spirituality, or stillness, give yourself permission to care for your whole being.
Ideas to explore:
● Practice meditation, deep breathing, or gentle yoga.
● Express yourself through painting, journaling, or music.
● Spend time in nature or with animals, if that soothes you.
● Reflect on or engage in your spiritual or religious practices.
Self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate. It’s about honoring what helps you feel most like you.
5. Make Space for Joy and Meaning
Yes, even amid cancer, moments of joy, beauty, and meaning can still emerge. These moments don’t erase the pain—they coexist with it, offering light in the dark.
Notice or create:
● Simple joys like a warm cup of tea, sunlight on your skin, or a favorite show.
● Creative projects, such as writing letters, scrapbooking, or making art.
● Opportunities to reflect on your values and what matters most to you. Finding meaning can be part of the healing process—not because everything happens for a reason, but because you can create your own purpose through connection, creativity, and presence.
6. Ask for and Accept Help—Without Guilt
Many people find it challenging to ask for help, especially when they’re accustomed to being independent or caregivers themselves. But part of coping with cancer is learning to receive support without guilt. People want to help. Let them.
Try saying:
● “Yes, that would be really helpful, thank you.”
● “I’m not sure what I need, but I appreciate you being here.”
● “I need to rest right now—can we talk later?”
Letting others in isn’t a burden; it’s a bridge to deeper connection and relief.
7. Seek Professional Support That Resonates with You
You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. In fact, many people find therapy to be one of their most powerful tools for coping with cancer. Whether you’re processing grief, facing fear, or navigating identity changes, having a professional to walk beside you can offer clarity and comfort.
Therapeutic options include:
● Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): For managing anxiety and negative thought patterns.
● Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): To help you accept what’s out of your control while committing to actions that align with your values.
● EMDR Therapy: Especially helpful if the trauma of diagnosis or treatment lingers.
● Supportive Counseling: A safe space to talk openly and receive compassion.
Many therapists specialize in working with people experiencing medical trauma, chronic illness, or grief—look for someone who gets it.
Final Thoughts: You Are Not Alone
Coping with cancer is hard, and there’s no perfect roadmap. Some days will feel okay. Others may find it unbearable. But you don’t have to go through it alone, and you don’t have to do it all at once.
You are allowed to feel your feelings, ask for help, take breaks, laugh, cry, and everything in between. You are still you—whole and worthy—no matter what this diagnosis tries to take away.
Healing isn’t linear, and progress can be messy. But there is strength in vulnerability, hope in connection, and resilience in simply continuing forward.
If you or someone you love is coping with cancer, reach out for support, for care, for someone to walk with you. You are doing incredibly brave things—one day, one moment, one breath at a time.
Need someone to talk to?
Whether you’re in active treatment or recovery, therapy can provide a stable foundation for processing your journey. Reach out today—we’re here for you. Towler Counseling LLC: www.towler-counseling.com
Author- Tara Towler Cumby LPC CPCS CMAC
