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A new lump, a “you’re fine,” and a gut that wouldn’t quiet down. Katie’s story spans misdiagnosis to stage 3 breast cancer and then something bigger: a whole-person approach to healing that protected her joy, anchored her days, and transformed fear into fuel. We walk through how she insisted on the right imaging for dense breasts, assembled a team she trusts, and reframed chemotherapy from dread to gratitude by seeing it as medicine that saves her life.

From there, we zoom out. Katie pairs conventional treatment with integrative care to address root causes and side effects. She shares how post-chemo vertigo and brain fog eased after a focused, data-driven integrative plan, and why asking your oncologist thoughtful questions can open doors instead of shutting them. The practical thread continues with oncology skincare: timing products around radiation, layering hydration, and using gentle maneuvers. Touch and scent became more than comfort—they were tools to reset her nervous system and restore a sense of self.

What stays with you is how she refused to let cancer steal birthdays, pizza nights, or trick-or-treating. She leaned on a simple daily ritual—cleanse, moisturize, breathe—to feel human and present with her kids. Her therapist’s mental model—worst case, best case, most likely—helped tame spiraling thoughts so life could be lived one grounded day at a time. If you or someone you love is navigating cancer, this conversation offers practical tactics, hope, and permission to be more than a patient.

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