Be Mindful: The mental toll cancer takes on patients and the help that’s available
Victor Guzman
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — In today’s Be Mindful segment: The impact of a cancer diagnosis on the mental health of patients.
Walan Chang was previously diagnosed with a form of breast cancer.
She says from there to now she had to cut back on some of the activities she was doing with local non-profits.
Part of the reason was the treatments drastically cutting down the energy she needed to get work done.
“There’s some days where you feel just so depressed and despairing about the prospects for having a good treatment or a good outcome and you feel terrible,” Walan says.
Walan noted the experience was like a roller coaster, mentally.
According to the American Cancer Society, receiving a cancer diagnosis could lead to anxiety, depression, distress and social isolation or feelings of loneliness.
Walan says she had to find ways to help with those feelings.
One of the crucial steps was entering into a form of therapy, whether it was musical, talk or art therapy.
Walan chose art, which allowed her to create pieces that in the end were an expression of her emotions.
“What you’re making only allows you to free your mind to focus on something you had no familiarity with,” Walan explains. “But once your hands are engaged in something else it made it easier to talk about your concerns and your fears.”
Some of the feelings that came up in Walan’s pieces included the words “fatigue” and “confusion.” Plus that lingering uncertainty about whether the treatment she was going through was even going to work.
She also noted some positive feelings like “joy” and “gratitude” for the treatment she was receiving and the people who were helping her.
Which brings up another aspect to Walan’s support system, which she refers to as a “Three-legged stool.”
The first two involve the medical team treating her physical systems, then her mental health team for when she’s feeling down.
“And then the third I have is my family and friends as support for when those other two teams aren’t around,” Walan says.
Walan says she’s in remission now, but is continuing health check ups because the type of cancer she had is aggressive and has a likelihood of coming back.
“Until that time comes where I get bad news, I enjoy my life now and prioritize what’s important,” Walan says. “It’s important to spend the time you want with those you want to spend time with.”
Walan also reminds people in her position to do their research to find the best oncologist for them and, of course, the best form of therapy.
For more on the support services available click here