Surrounded By Support
- Comedian Kathy Griffin, 63, says she is grateful for quality friendship after back-to-back challenges with her physical and mental health after lung cancer and divorce.
- More resilient than ever, the award-winning comic, who is taking a pause on her “Life on the PTSD-List” national comeback tour to heal from vocal cord surgery, expressed on Tuesday how much she appreciates having loved ones to lean on.
- SurvivorNet’s medical experts say that loneliness can affect the trajectory of your recovery, therefore is important for cancer survivors to have a strong support system during and after cancer. If you are feeling alone or unsure where to turn, reach out to a mental health professional or support group. In the meantime, SurvivorNet’s mental health guide can help steer you.
More resilient than ever, the award-winning comic, who is taking a pause on her “Life on the PTSD-List” national comeback tour to heal from vocal cord surgery (due to a “permanently paralyzed” left vocal cord), expressed on Tuesday how much she appreciates having loved ones to lean on.
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“The best friends are the biggest lifesavers,” one of Griffin’s army of supporters wrote in the comments. “The most important thing!” another fan wrote, referring to strong friendships. “You guys have so much light around you!”
Last month, Griffin gave an update on how she was doing after her procedure.
“It’s been 1 week since my surgery and to say the least, I’m very happy. I’m following all of the doctor’s orders and staying quiet (even tho I’m a chatty Kathy). Now it’s time to recover for my fall shows.”
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When she first broke the news about her health complication, a couple of her famous friends were quick to jump in to let her know they cared.
“Saying a meditation for you,” wrote actress Sharon Stone, while pop icon Debbie Gibson shared, “Sending love ❤️ You’ll be in my thoughts tomorrow ! Heal well xo ?.”
Griffin heads out for more performances at the end of August with her first stop in Norwalk, Connecticut, and so far, is scheduled through New Year’s Eve in Chicago.
Kathy’s Lung Cancer Journey
Kathy Griffin was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and has been highly public about her diagnosis and cancer journey since, inspiring many with her courage and vulnerability, along with her sassiness of course.
Despite being a non-smoker, Griffin was diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer, and raised awareness about the misconception that only smokers can get lung cancer.
At stage 1, this early-stage diagnosis indicates that the cancer hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in the body.
As Griffin noted in her video, half of her left lung was removed during her first major surgery. Due to the use of a breathing tube during the surgery, it impacted her voice, leaving her suffering multiple setbacks with her vocal cords along the way.
Early-Stage Lung Cancer Surgery
There are several types of surgery that can remove lung cancer, including segmentectomy (removal of a small segment of the lung), lobectomy (removal of a lobe of the lung) or pneumonectomy (removal of the entire lung). The decision is largely based on the size of the tumor and where in your lung it is located.
In Diagnosing Lung Cancer, The Symptoms Often Come Late
Before surgery, your oncologist must make sure you are in otherwise good health. This involves a thorough preoperative physical examination. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, and it is also linked to heart and other arterial diseases, which means that you need an all-clear to be considered a surgical candidate for stage one lung cancer.
Healing from Lung Cancer
For those who are fortunate enough to be able to have surgery, like Griffin, managing pain after the operation can be difficult once you get home.
SurvivorNet previously spoke with Melissa Culligan, Director of Clinical Research – Division of Thoracic Surgery at University of Maryland Medical Center, who has been taking care of lung cancer patients for 30 years. Culligan expressed how crucial it is to stay in touch with your medical team.
“It’s important that you stay connected and as things change that maybe don’t feel right, that you connect with your care team and make sure that either they do something to make you feel better or that they reassure you that this is to be expected,” she said, “because your pain will change in location and nature,” Culligan added.
Managing discomfort after lung cancer surgery
As you become more active, Culligan says your pain “may increase a little bit,” as it did for Griffin, who would have days out at lunch and events feeling great, but then be stuck in bed shortly after.
Handling Setbacks After Cancer Treatment
Despite the setbacks, it’s important to keep moving, within reason of course. And while medication is usually necessary including certain meds to cope with stress, it’s best to only use them on an as-needed basis.
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“Medications aren’t always the answer,” Culligan noted, and therefore encourages patients “to go out and go to the movies and go to the mall and maintain their life as best they can while they’re going through treatment and recovering from it,” she advised, making sure to highlight that part of their job is helping patients learn how to cope with stress.
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“It’s critical after surgery and after any treatment that you do keep active and keep your body in the best possible condition along the way.”
The Importance of Support for Cancer Survivors
It is important for cancer survivors to have a strong support system during and after cancer. Sometimes especially after cancer, when even more intense emotions can surprisingly set in.
Dr. Shelly Tworoger, a researcher at Moffitt Cancer Center told SurvivorNet that “there’s a number of common things cancer patients can experience, such as anxiety, depression, financial toxicity, social isolation and sometimes even PTSD.”
Helping to ease some of those feelings is a great way to support your loved one.
The importance of self-care and the things that bring you joy
Licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin says having people by your side during this “arduous chapter” in your life can be very beneficial.
“Studies have found consistently that loneliness is a significant risk factor for physical and mental illnesses and the trajectory of recovery,” Strongin said. “Therefore, it will be important that you surround yourself with individuals who care and support you throughout.”
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