More than a Diagnosis: Advocacy, Healing, and The Power of Touch - Katie's Story

Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Oncology

Cancer survivorship and supportive oncology are essential parts of recovery — yet they are often overlooked once treatment ends. In this episode, we explore what truly happens after chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery with Dr. Jeff Kendall, a psychologist and leader in supportive cancer care. Together, we unpack the emotional, physical, and identity shifts that define life after cancer treatment — and how evidence-based supportive oncology helps patients rebuild with confidence. For many patients, finishing treatment does not feel like a celebration. It can feel like stepping off a cliff. The structure of appointments disappears. Fatigue lingers. Relationships shift. Work resumes before energy fully returns. And sometimes the mirror reflects someone unfamiliar. Supportive oncology addresses these realities head-on. In this conversation, we discuss: * What cancer survivorship really means * Emotional health during and after cancer treatment * Cancer-related fatigue and post-treatment adjustment * Identity disruption and appearance changes * Why aesthetic care during treatment is about dignity, not vanity * The role of trained oncology aestheticians in safe skincare * How to avoid misinformation, supplements, and “miracle cure” marketing * The integration of therapy, research, education, and bedside care Dr. Kendall explains how a strengths-based approach transforms fear into action. Rather than relying on willpower alone, patients who develop practical coping tools — emotional skills, structured routines, and intentional support systems — navigate survivorship more successfully. You’ll also learn two actionable strategies: Collect tools. The more usable coping tools you build, the steadier your recovery. Match your asks to others’ strengths. Ask the good listener for comfort. Ask the fixer for logistics. Strategic support reduces burnout and strengthens connection. Whether you are a cancer survivor, caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone seeking credible information about life after cancer treatment, this episode provides practical, science-based guidance rooted in supportive oncology. If this episode resonates, follow or subscribe, share it with someone navigating cancer survivorship, and leave a review. It helps more people find trusted, evidence-based cancer support when they need it most. 👉 Join the Conversation 🤍 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453583/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://givebutter.com/OAPodcast] Learn more: Download our Skin Care Guide [https://www.ricardofisasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Skin-care-guide-012024.pdf] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ricardofisasfoundation/]

Nutrition for Skin Health During Cancer Treatment

How does food impact your skin during cancer treatment? Oncology dietitian Darienne Hall shares simple, evidence-based nutrition strategies to strengthen the skin barrier, support hydration, and reduce inflammation—without supplement hype. Learn how a Mediterranean-style pattern and smart protein choices can help your skin stay resilient through treatment. 👉 Join the Conversation 🤍 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453583/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://givebutter.com/OAPodcast] Learn more: Download our Skin Care Guide [https://www.ricardofisasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Skin-care-guide-012024.pdf] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ricardofisasfoundation/]

More than a Diagnosis: Advocacy, Healing, and The Power of Touch - Katie's Story

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. Subscribe for more real stories, expert tips, and supportive care strategies. If this resonated, share it with a friend and leave a review so others can find it too. 👉 Join the Conversation 🤍 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453583/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://givebutter.com/OAPodcast] Learn more: Download our Skin Care Guide [https://www.ricardofisasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Skin-care-guide-012024.pdf] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ricardofisasfoundation/]

Navigating Hair Loss with Grace: Expert Tips During Treatment

Losing your hair during cancer treatment can be a deeply personal and emotional experience. Beyond the physical changes, it often represents a loss of privacy and control at a time when maintaining normalcy feels most important. This episode tackles this sensitive subject with compassion, offering practical strategies to help navigate hair shedding, shaving, and scalp care with dignity. Our guest expert Jeanna Doyle-Ruhl shares invaluable tips for managing daily life during the shedding phase. Simple adjustments like shifting your hair-washing routine from morning to evening can significantly reduce emotional stress, while choosing silky fabrics over cotton prevents constant reminders as shed hair clings less to your clothing. The nighttime turban technique we discuss not only collects hair in one place but also helps with the unexpected temperature fluctuations many experience as hair thins. When it comes time to shave, we explain why leaving a quarter-inch of hair is crucial for preventing infections and painful ingrown hairs—a detail many professionals overlook. Host Rae Jeanne builds on this foundation with essential scalp care strategies, from proper moisturization techniques to sun protection practices that support both comfort and future regrowth. These expert recommendations acknowledge that while we can't prevent treatment-related hair loss, thoughtful preparation and care can transform how you experience this journey, helping maintain your sense of self when you need it most. Subscribe now to access more supportive guidance for enhancing well-being during cancer treatment, and please share this episode with anyone who might benefit from these insights. 👉 Join the Conversation 🤍 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453583/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://givebutter.com/OAPodcast] Learn more: Download our Skin Care Guide [https://www.ricardofisasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Skin-care-guide-012024.pdf] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ricardofisasfoundation/]

Radiation and your Skin

Radiation therapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, but what exactly happens when those high-energy beams target cancer cells? Nurse practitioner Katie Bukolt takes us on a fascinating journey through radiation's effects on the skin and body, highlighting how treatment responses vary based on location, dosage, and individual factors. She dismantles the one-size-fits-all approach, emphasizing that nutrition, hydration, and lifestyle choices significantly impact how well patients tolerate treatment. For anyone facing radiation therapy, her practical guidance on timing skin care applications (nothing within three hours before treatment!), selecting appropriate products (alcohol-free and sterile), and protecting vulnerable skin from sun exposure provides a roadmap for minimizing side effects. Beyond the clinical advice, Katie offers heartfelt wisdom on navigating the emotional terrain of cancer treatment. She encourages patients to advocate for themselves, bring support people to appointments, and embrace the vulnerability of accepting help. Her gentle reminder that allowing others to help is giving them "the privilege" of supporting you resonates deeply with anyone who's struggled to accept assistance during difficult times. Whether you're undergoing radiation treatment, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about this powerful therapy, this episode delivers clarity, compassion, and practical strategies for maintaining dignity and skin health throughout the radiation journey. Subscribe now to access more expert insights on enhancing wellbeing during cancer treatment! 👉 Join the Conversation 🤍 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2453583/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://givebutter.com/OAPodcast] Learn more: Download our Skin Care Guide [https://www.ricardofisasfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Skin-care-guide-012024.pdf] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ricardofisasfoundation/]