Radiation &
Chemotherapy
What Helped Me Through Radiation
Radiation can feel like one of the more intimidating parts of cancer treatment—especially after surgery and in the midst of navigating so many decisions. For me, the decision to proceed with radiation to my axilla (underarm lymph node area) was made after a micro-metastasis was found in my sentinel node during my post-op pathology report. There was also a possibility of further spread in that region.
Although radiation is different for everyone, I’m grateful to share that it was—honestly—a breeze for me. Even with a boost of 5 additional sessions, bringing my total to 30 treatments, my side effects were minimal. A PET scan and biopsy at the start of radiation revealed live cancer in my axilla, so we added those extra sessions to make sure we covered all the bases.
The Experience: Smooth, Supportive, and not Unpleasant!
As I mentioned in my Dream Team post, my radiation oncologist and the entire team at HOAG Sand Canyon in Irvine, CA made the experience surprisingly comfortable. They were warm, punctual, efficient, and always kept the mood light with great music and friendly chit-chat. I’d be offered a cozy warm blanket every day, which made a big difference in easing nerves. These little touches helped create a healing environment, both physically and emotionally.
1. Supplement Adjustments During Radiation
Before radiation began, I consulted with my care team to pause or reduce supplements—especially antioxidants and high-dose Vitamin C, which can potentially interfere with radiation’s effects. Every case is different, so definitely check in with your doctor or integrative provider.
One thing I did add: 15mg of Glutathione in 3 divided doses daily to help support my skin. This recommendation came from Dr. Mark Stengler who I was working with and is documented in his book Outside the Box Cancer Therapies, which I found incredibly helpful throughout treatment.
2. Skincare: Meticulous, Gentle, and Consistent
Radiation can be tough on the skin—but I took a proactive approach:
-
I used Miaderm cream 4x a day, starting before radiation and continuing through and after the treatment period.
-
I also made a homemade calendula spray and kept it chilled in the fridge. After each treatment, I’d spray it directly on the treated area then pat it dry with organic cloth, followed by a layer of Miaderm. This combo worked beautifully to keep my skin calm and clear throughout.
🌼 To make the calendula spray – steep 2 TBSP of organic dried calendula in 1 cup boiling water for 1 hour. Strain and transfer to a sanitized glass spray bottle for easy use. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
3. Daily Movement (Yes, Even Tennis!)
I stayed active through all 30 sessions. I played tennis nearly every day and continued my weight training routine twice a week. Movement helped me feel normal, kept my energy up, and prevented stiffness, especially in the arms and chest.
4. Stretching + Chest Expansion on the Foam Roller
To keep my upper body loose and support healing post-surgery and during radiation, I stretched daily, focusing on chest-opening movements. These included:
-
Foam roller pec stretch: Lie lengthwise on a foam roller, arms out in a "T" shape, palms facing up. Hold for 2–5 minutes to open the chest and improve posture.
-
Wall angels: Standing or lying on the floor, gently raise and lower your arms in a snow-angel motion, keeping elbows and hands against the wall or floor.
-
Doorway stretch: Hands or forearms pressed into a doorframe, step one foot forward and gently stretch through the chest.
🤸♀️ Here’s a helpful video with gentle foam roller chest stretches that are perfect post-surgery and during radiation recovery.
5. Mind-Body Healing: Pink Light Visualization
This one might feel a little “woo-woo,” but it brought me a sense of peace and power:
Every time I lay on the table for radiation, I imagined a soft pink light surrounding me—letting in only what was healing and protective, while keeping anything harmful out. I would visualize the energy supporting my body and dissolving anything that didn’t serve me.
It was a small but meaningful practice that helped me stay connected to the belief that I wasn’t just “going through” radiation—I was healing through it.
For me, the combination of excellent medical care, gentle movement, thoughtful supplements, and a few soulful practices made all the difference in the radiation part of my healing.
If you’re about to begin radiation or are already in the middle of it, I hope this post brings you clarity, calm, and maybe even a sense of empowerment. You’ve got this.
One important thing I learned post-radiation: your skin becomes extra sensitive to the sun, especially in the treated area. I became super diligent about sun protection for at least a year after treatment (and honestly, it's a good habit for life). I made it part of my daily routine to wear UPF clothing when outdoors, especially while playing tennis or walking my dog. I’ll be sharing a few of my favorite brands—including Tasc, which makes the softest, breathable long-sleeve shirts that actually look cute, too!
Chemotherapy
While chemotherapy wasn’t part of my personal treatment plan, I want to hold space for those who are navigating it — because it’s an important and deeply personal decision that deserves compassion and respect.
In my case, I did not do chemotherapy because my Oncotype DX score was 12, which is considered low. This means the potential benefit of chemo would have been minimal, and the risks would have outweighed the possible rewards. My doctors and I made this decision carefully and confidently. Still, in the early stages of my diagnosis, before surgery and before I had my Oncotype results, I had many serious conversations about chemotherapy and learned quite a bit from those discussions.
If you’re preparing for or currently undergoing chemo, there are some wonderful resources and practical tools that may help make the journey a little gentler. For instance, UCI Health has a donor program that provides cold caps to help reduce hair loss during treatment — something I wish more patients knew about. Availability varies by hospital, and if your treatment center doesn’t offer them, there are independent services that can help you rent or purchase cold caps to use on your own with the help of a caregiver.
For guidance on supporting your body through treatment naturally, I recommend The Herbal Academy’s Holistic Cancer Care Course, which includes helpful information on managing side effects and strengthening your system with herbal and dietary support. This course helped me in other ways during my treatment journey. The Living Kitchen Cookbook is another excellent companion, with nourishing recipes specifically designed for people undergoing chemo and recovery. And on a lighter note, I learned about Miracle Berries, which can temporarily enhance sweet taste perception (there are lots of brands, including wide availability on Amazon) — they’re a fun and practical trick if your taste buds are off and you’re struggling with appetite or food aversion.
I can’t pretend to know firsthand what it’s like to go through chemotherapy, and I don’t want to offer advice outside my experience. But what I do know is that healing comes in many forms — and no matter your treatment path, your courage, resilience, and willingness to care for yourself through it all are what matter most.
Disclaimer:
Every person’s cancer journey is unique, and treatment plans should always be personalized. The information shared in this post is based on my own experience and is intended for informational and supportive purposes only. Please consult your physician or medical team before making any changes to your treatment, supplements, or self-care routine.
