From managing appointments and medications to keeping yourself physically and emotionally healthy, undergoing treatment for lung cancer requires a big commitment of time and resources. These commitments can sometimes get in the way of your everyday life.

It can be extremely difficult to manage day-to-day expectations while going through lung cancer treatment. Sometimes, life may not give you time to cope with your treatment. As one MyLungCancerTeam member wrote, “Ouch! I just had a root canal last Tuesday. You would think we could skip all the normal problems when you have a cancer journey going on. But, I’m not that lucky.”

There are ways to bring some semblance of normalcy back into your life. Here are some things you can do to balance lung cancer treatment with your normal day-to-day activities and responsibilities.

How Lung Cancer Treatment Can Impact Your Life

Many people with lung cancer experience side effects from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or lung surgery. Treatment can cause many different side effects, but one of the most common is fatigue — extreme feelings of weakness and tiredness.

Playing an Active Role in Your Treatment

Studies have suggested that people who take an active role in their cancer treatment are more satisfied with their treatment and experience a higher quality of life following treatment.

Ask questions when you aren’t sure about something, from the results of a blood test to the side effects of a treatment or procedure. Alert your health care team of any changes in your health, such as new or worsened symptoms. By taking the initiative and advocating for yourself, you can collaborate with your doctors to tailor your plan to your unique experiences.

Taking Care of Your Body

It is important that you listen to your body as you go through treatments. With each new day, new challenges may arise. You may also feel better on some days than others. The best thing you can do is keep your health care team in the loop regarding any challenges you experience.

Palliative Care

Palliative care aims to reduce the impact of side effects of cancer treatment, helping you stay as comfortable as possible. Your palliative care team may be able to provide medications like inhalers to increase airflow or pain relief medication to increase your overall well-being.

Exercise

Many physicians recommend that people with lung cancer exercise to strengthen their lungs and reduce overall fatigue. As one MyLungCancerTeam member wrote, “I honestly feel better after a brief period of exercise. Sometimes I get a bit winded, but then we slow our pace a little and continue on. It not only helps physically, but it also helps me deal with my anxiety and sleep.”

Especially on days when you feel fatigued, you may not have as much energy to devote to vigorous physical activity. Sometimes, a little movement goes a long way. As one member wrote, you can take small steps to stay active: “Walks are good. I walk about two blocks, rest, and walk back two blocks. It is hard, and I walk slowly.”

It will take time to build the habit of exercise. Although it may be difficult at first, as one member described, the benefits may be worthwhile: “Was just doing some yard work, and I’ll pay the price a little later. But the more exercise you do, the better you’re going to feel.” Another member even shared that yard work can be a “blessing in disguise.” “It takes my mind off my journey for a moment,” they added.

If you’re unsure where to start, talk to your health care team or ask for a recommendation for a physical therapist.

Nutrition

Lung cancer treatment can cause weight loss from loss of appetite and higher levels of resting energy expenditure. This may put a person at risk of malnutrition or other health complications. It may be helpful to ask your oncologist for a referral to a specialist like a registered dietitian or nutritionist. By working with a dietitian, you can create a plan to maintain a healthy weight and give your body the fuel it needs to feel your best throughout treatment.

Allowing Yourself To Rest

As your body devotes most of its energy to maintaining normal function, you may notice a loss in general stamina for everyday tasks. As one MyLungCancerTeam member shared, “This feeling of just feeling tired is becoming a normal feeling for me.”

It is important that you listen to your body and take breaks when needed. While it may be tempting to push yourself on your “good” days, overexerting yourself can end up worsening fatigue later. Be kind to yourself, and remember that even though you may not be able to do everything you could before, your body needs time to heal as you progress through your treatment plan.

Caring for Your Mental Health

The daily burden of juggling cancer treatment with other responsibilities can contribute to mental and emotional distress. Studies have even found that some people who undergo lung cancer treatment can experience increased levels of depression and anxiety.

Those who are able to find peace and happiness throughout the confusion of lung cancer tend to live healthier lives. The good news is that there are ways to calm your mind and take care of your mental health throughout your treatment journey.

Therapy

A lung cancer diagnosis can trigger many complex emotions. Some people struggle with guilt or self-blame surrounding their diagnosis. As one member wrote, “I am not sure how I am feeling. Not angry; I did it to myself with all my years of smoking.”

Some people benefit from speaking with a mental health professional about their cancer. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one form of talk therapy that can be helpful for people with cancer. CBT employs a number of strategies to help a person change their thoughts and behaviors, including identifying harmful thought processes.

Creating a Cancer Diary

Some people start a lung cancer diary to share their journey with others or as an emotional outlet. “I’ve started to chronicle my cancer journey,” one MyLungCancerTeam member shared. “Got encouragement from my local support group buddy. He read a poem one day, so I tried my hand at it. It has been great therapy for me. It gets things out of my head and onto paper. It is a relief, in a way.”

Finding Support

On some days more than others, lung cancer may feel isolating. However, members of MyLungCancerTeam have found comfort through their conversations with other members of their teams. As one member wrote, “You can talk to your family and friends, but unless they’ve had it, they just don’t know what you’re going through, and these people know exactly.”

Lung Cancer Support Groups

You can find in-person or online support groups or mentorship programs specifically made for people with lung cancer. These groups and programs can provide much-needed support and guidance as you undergo treatment for lung cancer. What’s more, everyone in these groups understands what you’re going through from firsthand experience.

Caregivers and Loved Ones

After going through a round of chemo or radiation therapy, you may lack the energy needed to take care of daily tasks and responsibilities. During these times, you may need to rely on a loved one or caregiver for extra support. These supporters can help with a number of daily tasks, from scheduling your follow-up appointments and helping with medication management to cooking meals and taking care of daily errands.

Sometimes people who rely on others at times during their treatment feel guilty. They may feel that they are overburdening those around them. It’s important to remember that the battle against cancer is a collaborative effort — you can’t go it alone. As one member wrote, “You are strong. You are fighting cancer, and that is a chore in itself.” It is OK to lean on those around you.

Nonetheless, lung cancer is a shared burden. Caregivers also have to manage the mental strain. As one member wrote, “It’s good mostly because of my caregiver, my wife. Sometimes, I think it is harder on the caregiver than it is for me to go through this.”

Managing the Financial Burden of Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung cancer treatment may impose a financial burden on you and your family. If the cost of treatments becomes too much to bear, you may want to reach out to an oncology social worker. Cancer.Net also has a helpful list of resources for financial aid.

Read more about ways to afford costs related to lung cancer treatment.

Meet Your Team

Life with lung cancer can be challenging. The good news is that you aren’t in it alone. MyLungCancerTeam is the social network for people with lung cancer and their loved ones. Here, you can ask questions, share advice, and listen to the lived experiences of those managing day-to-day life with their diagnosis.

What is your experience with lung cancer treatment? How has it affected your life? Share your story in the comments below or by posting on MyLungCancerTeam.