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.org
About 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.
