Episode 41

Finding Holiday Joy with Cancer

with Darcie Wells
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Finding Holiday Joy with Cancer

What happens when the holidays arrive while you’re still healing from cancer?

In this solo reflection, host Darcie Wells, President and CEO of CanCare, speaks directly to cancer survivors and caregivers who feel out of sync with the “most wonderful time of the year.” She names the quiet realities of this season after cancer, including gratitude pressure, FOMO around old traditions, scanxiety before medical tests, caregiver exhaustion and the sharp ache of missing someone who is no longer here.

Darcie shares the words of survivors who describe feeling like life is happening in two worlds at once, and reminds you that your feelings are valid, even when they are messy. She offers simple tools for this season: redefine what a “good” holiday looks like, set kind but clear boundaries, create new or gentler traditions, and honor both grief and gratitude without pretending. She also suggests ways to remember loved ones with small memorial rituals while still allowing moments of peace and joy to emerge.

Above all, Darcie invites you to see your presence as the greatest gift. Your holiday does not have to be perfect. It just has to be yours, and you do not have to walk through it alone.

Tips For Managing The Holiday:

The holidays can be beautiful, but after cancer, they can also feel overwhelming or emotionally complicated. If this season feels different than it used to, you are not alone. These tips can help you move through the holidays with more peace and self-compassion.

1. Redefine What “Holiday Success” Means: Meaningful matters more than perfect. Smaller gatherings can feel deeply fulfilling. Quality time is more important than the number of events. Rest is a gift, not a weakness. Prioritize what matters and let the rest go.

2. Set Boundaries and Communicate: Your Needs Say yes only to what feels manageable. It is okay to decline invitations or leave early. Let loved ones know how they can support you. Limit conversations that may feel triggering. Prepare simple responses such as “I am focusing on enjoying today.” Redirect intrusive questions. Ask a trusted person to help shift conversations.

3. Create Traditions That Fit: Where You Are Now: Choose traditions that bring genuine joy. Include gratitude practices that feel authentic. Build in breaks and recovery time.

4. Honor Your Emotions: It is okay to feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed. Grief and joy can coexist. Reach out for support when emotions feel heavy.

5. Care for Your Health: Stay consistent with medication. Hydrate, rest, and care for your body. Honor your physical limits.

6. If You Are Missing Someone: Create rituals that honor their memory. Light a candle, share their stories, or include something they loved. Allow space for grief and joy.

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A Gentle Reminder: Your holidays do not have to look the way they used to. Cancer changes you, and it is natural for your celebrations to change too. Make the focus presence, peace, and moments of connection. Your holiday season does not have to be perfect. It just has to be yours.

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Mentioned Resources:

CanCare- www.cancare.org

Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook

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Ep 47

Feeding Hope, Finding Strength

with Patrice Surely
What if the key to healing isn’t just treatment, but how you support your body along the way? We are joined by Patrice Surley, oncology nutritionist and functional health expert with over 25 years of experience helping patients strengthen their bodies during cancer care. Patrice blends evidence-based nutrition with whole-person support, working alongside medical teams to improve outcomes and quality of life. Her journey began with her own health struggles, where diet and lifestyle changes made a real difference. That personal turning point shaped her belief that healing starts by meeting each person where they are and helping them take simple, meaningful steps forward. Patrice explains the concept of immuno stress and how factors like poor nutrition, sleep, and emotional strain can weaken the immune system. She shares practical tools such as increasing colorful fruits and vegetables, prioritizing protein, and addressing root causes instead of masking symptoms. Her work focuses on reducing side effects, improving tolerance to treatment, and helping patients feel more in control. Her message is clear and hopeful. Healing takes time. Small changes matter. Stay open, stay consistent, and trust that progress is possible even in the hardest moments. Highlights: How small nutrition changes can unlock big shifts in recovery Why treating root causes can improve cancer treatment outcomes What immuno stress means and how it affects healing How to work with your medical team for whole-person care Why simple habits often outperform complicated health plans Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook Patrice’s website - https://www.patricesurley.com/ About the Guest: Patrice Surley is an oncology nutritionist and functional health expert with more than 25 years of experience helping people heal from the inside out. Her approach is rooted in evidence-based care, but what truly sets her apart is her heart: the way she listens, partners with patients, and helps them understand what their bodies need to restore balance and strength. Patrice works alongside oncologists, functional medicine doctors, and organizations like Do Cancer, helping patients build care teams that support the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.
Ep 46

The Strength of Instincts

with Jackie Garcia
What happens when you know something is wrong with your body but no one will listen? In this episode of Hope in the Face of Cancer, Darcie Wells speaks with Jackie Garcia, a young adult cancer survivor whose persistence led to a life-saving diagnosis. For five years Jackie searched for answers while dealing with severe symptoms including rapid weight gain, intense pain, numbness in her legs, and overwhelming fatigue. Doctor after doctor dismissed her concerns and told her to simply lose weight or manage anxiety. At age 31, a CT scan finally revealed the truth. Jackie had a 20-pound tumor wrapped around multiple organs. After connecting with specialists at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Jackie underwent major surgery to remove the tumor. The moment she heard the words “you have cancer,” she felt something unexpected: relief. At last she had proof that she had been right about her body all along. Jackie shares how that experience changed the way she sees herself and her life. She learned to trust her instincts, show herself compassion, and slow down after years of pushing herself through work and stress. She also discovered the power of community through young adult cancer support groups and survivorship connections. Her message is simple and powerful. Trust your body. Ask for help. And remember that hope can still exist even in the hardest moments of a cancer journey. Highlights: • Trusting Your Body – Jackie explains how years of unexplained symptoms pushed her to keep advocating for answers even when doctors dismissed her concerns. • The Power of One Doctor Who Listens – A visiting physician ordered the CT scan that finally revealed the tumor and changed everything. • The Moment of Diagnosis – Jackie describes the surprising sense of relief she felt when she finally received an answer. • Life After Cancer Changes Priorities – Her experience shifted her mindset away from career obsession toward rest, self-compassion, and meaningful relationships. • Why Community Matters During Cancer – Support groups and survivor connections became a critical part of her emotional healing and survivorship. Mentioned Resources: CanCare- www.cancare.org Book – www.cancare.org/hopebook About the Guest: Jackie Garcia is a 31-year-old retroperitoneal liposarcoma survivor and advocate. She spent five years searching for answers before being diagnosed with a rare cancer and a 20-pound tumor she named “Tina”. Through it all, she discovered strength in humor, healing in community, and the profound truth that her body, even in its most vulnerable state, was still worthy of love. Now living with no evidence of cancer, Jackie shares her journey with tenderness and hope, walking alongside other young adults navigating cancer and reminding them they are never alone on this uncertain road.
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