Don’t Look Past the Headlights: Taking Cancer One Step At a Time

What do you do when cancer treatment ends but the fear, uncertainty, and questions remain? Licensed therapist Dr. Bonnie Hubert from the Memorial Hermann Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center joins host Darcie Wells to explore why emotional support is essential for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. She shares how counseling, peer mentors, and creative outlets can ease fear of recurrence, reduce isolation, and bring strength after treatment.Bonnie’s calling began when she cared for her mother during ovarian cancer treatment and noticed a gap between medical plans and emotional care. Later, as a BRCA2 previvor, she chose preventive surgeries to lower her own risk. These experiences give her a unique perspective that blends compassion with professional insight.In this episode, she explains how to manage uncertainty with her “don’t look past the headlights” approach, focusing on what can be handled today rather than being overwhelmed by the future. She also highlights the healing power of hopeful stories and the free programs at Canopy and CanCare that provide comfort and community.Bonnie’s message is clear: no one has to face cancer alone. With support, resilience grows, and hope remains. Highlights:[00:00] Welcome & Guest Intro – Meet Dr. Bonnie Hubert, therapist at Memorial Hermann Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center.[02:09] From Counselor to Caregiver – How her mother’s ovarian cancer shifted Bonnie’s career focus.[04:09] The Hidden Gap in Cancer Care – Why ringing the bell doesn’t mean the journey is over.[07:14] Becoming a BRCA2 Previvor – Bonnie’s personal decision for preventive surgeries and how it shaped her outlook.[11:56] What Canopy Provides – Free counseling, groups, and community for survivors and caregivers.[13:49] Emotional Support in Action – Common struggles and why counseling brings relief.[19:05] It’s Just a Conversation – Removing stigma around counseling and therapy.[20:22] Power of Peer Mentors – How CanCare volunteers and survivor mentors offer unique hope.[26:28] Don’t Look Past the Headlights – A practical tool for managing uncertainty day by day.[30:14] Post-Traumatic Growth – How reframing the past with compassion creates space for growth.[33:14] Closing Message of Hope – Bonnie’s reminder that resilience grows when you tap into the right support.  Mentioned Resources:CanCare- www.cancare.orgwww.cancare.org/hopebookAbout the Guest:Dr. Bonnie Hubert is a licensed therapist with the Canopy Cancer Survivorship Center at Memorial Hermann, where she supports cancer patients and their loved ones. Inspired by her mother’s cancer journey and her own experience as a “previvor,” Bonnie brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work. At Canopy, she provides counseling and leads support groups, helping people navigate fear, isolation, and life after treatment with compassion and care.Love the podcast? You’ll be moved by the book. The Hope in the Face of Cancer book shares inspiring, real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. Raw, uplifting, and full of heart—for anyone seeking hope and connection. Get your copy: cancare.org/hopebook.About Our Host:Darcie Champagne Wells is the President and CEO of CanCare, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to providing support to the cancer community by pairing cancer patients with survivors. Since joining in November 2020 as the third President & CEO, Darcie has driven significant growth, increasing one-to-one support matches by 45% and healthcare referrals by 66%. In 2022, she initiated the Impact Acceleration Initiative to further expand support for cancer patients and caregivers. Her leadership has earned her recognition as a “Most Admired CEO” and “Woman Who Means Business” by the Houston Business Journal, and national “Fundraiser of the Year” by RAISE. Darcie holds a BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University and an MBA from the University of Houston.https://www.cancare.org/https://www.facebook.com/CanCareInchttps://www.instagram.com/cancare_incThanks for tuning in to Hope in the Face of Cancer! We’re so glad you’re here. If this episode moved you, inspired you, or brought you a little bit of light, please share it with someone who might need it. Just hit the share button on this page or spread the word on social—your voice helps us reach more hearts. 🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts to get updates as soon as new episodes drop. ⭐ Help us grow with a quick review If you’re enjoying the podcast, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts goes a long way. It helps others discover the show and reminds us that these stories matter. Take a moment to leave a review—we read every one! 📖 Enjoy the podcast? You’ll love the book. Check out our book, Hope in the Face of Cancer—a powerful collection of real stories from survivors, caregivers, and healthcare heroes. It’s uplifting, raw, and full of heart. Get your copy at cancare.org/hopebook.