Last week, the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists introduced a delicate emotional problem faced by lung cancer patients: Fear.
Today’s blog brings you more FLASS commentary and Techniques for Fear-Fighting once you have been given the diagnosis of lung cancer.
You might want to read or review our previous article before reading this one, since this is a continuation of that topic.
Here at FLASS, we know that most patients will experience a deep emotional reaction if they are diagnosed with Lung cancer.
1. Fighting the Fear Factor with Support
What can a patient’s first step be, to fight all the fears that rush in the wake of his or her lung cancer diagnosis?
Julie Walther-Scheibel, a counselor in St. Louis Missouri, stated,” I would immediately get into a support group. It just helps to [be around people] who are in the same boat and who you can relate to.”
Good advice!
As you might imagine, family and friends with whom you can share your fear, can provide a strong wall of support and listen to you when you need to share your feelings. Experts say, “People with good emotional health are resilient in the face of challenges, find ways to express their creativity and understand the importance of social connections. They also recognize the power of spirituality and the value of staying positive.”
Read more about recognizing the value of friendship and the support of positive friends at this helpful online resource.
2. Fighting the Fear Factor with Research and Knowledge
Likewise, you can read the stories of other patients who have faced your exact fear at this informative resource. For example, “In the article, “I’ve Been Diagnosed, Now What,” Dan gives his personal advice to look to the future. He says, “Don’t give up. There is so much that is going on in the field right now—it is incredible how much more opportunity there is than when I was diagnosed nine years ago.”
Other patients agree with this technique, noting that hope in the future is vital, as the patient named Rubenstein testified in her story in last week’s blog. She also says, “Every single day that you wake up, they are learning something new and better to help you survive.”
3. Fighting the Fear Factor with Conversation and your Medical Team
If your fear of your lung cancer is paralyzing you or if you are finding it impossible to function, we always suggest that you communicate whole-heartedly with your doctor and staff here in 
Orlando, at the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Study Specialists.
You and your FLASS doctor can work together to discuss and discover what strategies to use against your real and imagined fears.
Your doctor might also be able to prescribe certain therapy or medications so that fear won’t freeze your enjoyment of life.
4. Fighting the Fear Factor With Meditation, Relaxation and Yoga
There are mental, physical and spiritual aspects to your fight to overcome the fear of your lung cancer diagnosis, and perhaps you can find control, comfort and peace through mental and spiritual exercises as well as a special regime of regular physical exercise.
Of course walking, and physical work-outs designed for your specialized case, can be of physical as well as emotional help in your battle.
Dr. Rachel Rohde, an orthopedic surgeon for the Beaumont Health System in Royal Oak, Michigan, believes that the breathing aspects of Yoga can help anxious patients.
She uses it in her practice to fight patients fears and anxieties. It can help you to “sleep, reduce anxiety, help with post-traumatic stress disorder for asthma, autism and as support and pain management during procedures.”
Many people think Yoga is only for building muscle or creating flexible poses, but there is much more than that. Dr. Rohde adds, “I may or may not call it yoga. I may say, ‘Let’s do some exercises to relax you for sleep,'” she said.
Likewise, with the right attitude, the simple act of walking can become an act of hope, an exercise in combatting fear and a prayer of hope.
A Special Note From the Doctors and Staff of FLASS
Few groups have shown the power of supportive friendships as well as the breast cancer awareness patients, family members and friends. As we begin October, we know that breast cancer is second only to lung cancer in causes of women’s death.
We wear our Pink ribbons in memory of all the survivors of breast cancer and in memory of all those who lost their brave fight.
Yes, we are vigilantly wearing our Pink Ribbons for Breast Cancer Awareness, but we are also remembering that under every pair of breasts is a pair of equally vulnerable lungs.
