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Health

A couple days in the ER:Trusting God in the Uncertainty of Cancer

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

First ER Trip
We went in during dinner hours (rookie mistake), which meant a very long wait. Reid’s radiologist looked at his scan and decided we could go home with just an antibiotic.

A Few Days Later
The spot on his abdomen wasn’t improving, so his oncologist told us to head back. To avoid some of the PTSD from our December ER trip (shared more about that HERE), we tried urgent care at the hospital. Honestly? It was painfully slow and ended up being a waste of precious time. Reid and I just looked at each other and knew—we’d come back early the next morning. Life in SoCal means learning to move while everyone else is asleep.

Third Time’s the Charm
We pulled up just before 5:30am, coffee and a quick breakfast in hand, bracing ourselves for the unknown. It turned into a 14-hour day. We were tucked away in a windowless hallway under buzzing fluorescent lights, waiting for doctors, hearing bits and pieces from kind but busy nurses, and mostly…just waiting.

Not glamorous. Not easy. But it’s these moments that stretch us, remind us to lean on grace, and keep showing up—together.

Finally, after about half a dozen doctors circled around debating the spot on Reid’s abdomen, the last doctor made the call. The surgical oncologist decided to take the conservative route—another round of antibiotics—even though he wasn’t completely sure it was an infection. He explained that the raised spot would eventually “pop” (like a pimple) and flatten out in time.

The hardest part? Not one doctor could actually say what it was. That’s the rollercoaster of cancer—ups, downs, and a whole lot of mysteries in between. Honestly, some days it feels like mostly downs.

But here’s what I keep coming back to: even when doctors don’t have answers, God does. Even when it feels like uncertainty is the only certainty, there’s an invitation to lean harder on Him.

Maybe you’re in a season of unanswered questions too—different circumstances, but the same feeling of not knowing. If that’s you, take heart. You don’t need all the answers today. You just need to know the One who holds them.

My friend Jenna texted this verse to me: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor 4:8-9.

How beautiful is that reminder?

FamilyTravel

Sequoia National Park with Kids

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Reid and the boys took full advantage of the long weekend and road-tripped five hours up to Sequoia National Park. They came back with the kind of stories you only get when you trade screens for starry skies and swap city noise for the sound of rustling trees.

They hiked under the giant sequoias—trees so massive they made even my teenage boys feel small (and that’s saying something). Along the way, they stopped for their favorite Mexican food, grabbed some fast food classics, and even spotted wildlife for the memory books. The photos don’t come close to capturing the beauty, but their tired smiles when they came home said everything.

And the best part? They came back saying they can’t wait to go again. This Sequoia family trip felt extra special after Reid’s cancer diagnosis—a beautiful reminder to carpe diem—seize the day and savor the moments we’re given.

👉 If you missed it, I also shared the 6 things I’d do differently if I were newly diagnosed with cancer—read it HERE.

It was an epic trip—one of those memory-making weekends that proves why getting away, even for just a couple days, is so worth it. Now if only I could actually print all the photos into a book (wishful thinking?).

Tell me in the comments—have you ever been to Sequoia National Park with your family?

Family

The First 6 Things I’d Do If I Got Diagnosed

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

The Most Requested Post: What I’d Do If I Were Diagnosed Today

This is, hands down, the most anticipated blog post I’ve ever shared. So many of you messaged me asking for this—what would I do differently if I were diagnosed today? So many things! But here is a short list . . .

Here’s what I’ve learned, the hard way:

  1. Start with the RGCC test. It’s a precision tool that maps out which treatments actually work for your specific cancer cells. If I could go back, this would be my first step. Click here to start your journey.
  2. Find a doctor who knows how to administer and interpret it. Not every oncologist will offer this, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. A lot of them.
  3. Don’t freak out. Easier said than done, I know. But peace matters—and panic clouds wisdom.
  4. Don’t rush into treatment or surgery. You have time. Take it.
  5. Get three opinions—minimum. Every voice brings perspective, and your body deserves a thoughtful approach.
  6. Guard your heart (and time). It’s OK to say, “Now’s not a good time for XYZ.” True friends will understand. Give yourself permission to step back and breathe.

Reid and I walked through a year — (Can you believe its been a year?!) of intense treatments and surgeries—some of which we later deeply regretted. If we could go back, we would have slowed down, stayed grounded, and started with the RGCC test. And above all, we would’ve been more discerning with emotional pressure that often comes from traditional cancer centers.

But here’s the truth: I’m not sitting here with sadness—I’m sitting here with hope.

As I type this, Reid is 48 hours post-brachytherapy. Tiny titanium seeds were implanted directly into his liver tumors, delivering targeted radiation while sparing healthy tissue. It was outpatient. It was focused. It was a blessing. Next week, he begins a low-dose chemo regimen alongside immune-boosting IVs—thankfully, the very ones that have left him feeling strong, energetic, and more like himself. The treatment has been WONDERFUL. Only drawback? It’s out of pocket.

God is not done writing this story. If you’re in the middle of the unknown, you’re not alone.

Hold fast, take heart, and walk wisely.
Xx
Shalice

Read about his 18 day hospital stay here

Read about his latest treatment here

Shop my latest LTK finds here

Family

The Beauty of Saying No: Raising Teens with Purpose

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Why do we date?
Is it a cultural box to check? Something we feel pressured to do because “everyone else is”?

My daughter is 17, and we’ve had some beautiful, honest conversations lately. One thing she’s noticed — and I agree — is that most of the people she knows who have dated young carry some kind of regret. That stuck with me.

I always come back to this verse from Song of Solomon 8:4

“Do not awaken love until the time is right”

What does that mean in today’s world?
It means waiting. It means choosing a chaste life before marriage — one that protects your heart, your mind, and your future.

I often tell my kids:

“You are defined not just by what you say yes to, but by what you say no to.”

So how do we prepare for a God-honoring, fulfilling, lifelong marriage?
Sometimes it starts by saying no. No to dating just to date. No to giving away pieces of your heart too soon.

People often say, “Shalice, you have such a beautiful life.”
But what they don’t see is the quiet discipline behind it — the no’s whispered in the background. The boundaries, the prayers, the intentional steps taken years ago that paved the way to protect our peace.

Dating isn’t bad. But dating without purpose can cost more than we think. And as for my daughter? She’s learning to guard her heart — not out of fear, but out of wisdom.

Like my wise friend Marianne once said, “Life is hard, but marriage doesn’t have to be.”
That really stuck with me.

Choosing not to casually date—but instead date with the intention of marriage—can spare a lot of unnecessary heartache and baggage. It’s a countercultural choice, but one that sets you up for a more intentional and God-honoring relationship.

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Where do you stand when it comes to dating—especially for your teens? I’d love to hear it in the comments.

xx Shalice

Family

When You’re in the Middle of the Story

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Balboa Island getaway

Are your kids off to camp, catching up with friends, and basically living at the pool?
Same here. So much so, that I realized I haven’t shared an update in a while.

A sweet friend recently reminded me, “Hey, we haven’t heard anything new in a bit.” And she was right. The truth is, I’ve been holding out, hoping I could share a wrapped-up-with-a-bow kind of ending to this long, winding road.

But we’re not there. We’re in the middle.

And the middle is hard.
It’s unclear, unfiltered, and totally out of our control.

I find myself asking (just like you might be):
What is God calling me to do in the midst of this trial?

Romans 15:13 says:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may abound in hope.”

Abound in hope.
Even here. Even now.

But how?
By fixing my eyes—not on news headlines, not on the noise, not even on my own anxious thoughts—but on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith.

It’s not easy.
But I’m holding onto Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Without the solid, unshakable promises of God’s Word, I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on—let alone a reason to hope.

In Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) last year, we talked about trusting God with our how, when, which, and to what extent. At the time, I was wrestling with a big move.

We had left California in 2020, and when we returned, we faced sky-high prices and a deep ache for the home we had let go of. We toured homes, even placed offers in Pasadena and Altadena—areas scorched by wildfires. And one by one, doors closed.

Looking back, I don’t think God was closing doors to punish us.
I know He was protecting us.

So if you’re in a season of waiting, wondering how you even got here… just know you’re not alone.

We can still abound in hope.
Not because things look perfect—but because our hope isn’t in things.
Our hope is in Christ.

Love you all,
Shalice 🤍

Family

Hope, Healing & Chemo Days

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

Hi friends,

A lot has happened since I have written in this space. I’ve written this blog post in my head while washing dishes, walking the dog, and even driving home from treatment. I’ve been thinking about you and all that I need to update you on. I love when you send me verses, and tell me that you are praying.

4 words: the surgery didn’t work. 4 dreaded words. On May 14, we had scheduled an IR appointment to oblate 3 tumors in Reid’s liver. We had a zoom call before with the IR doctor to go over the procedure. It seemed non-invasive, calculated with little to no risk, using a needle and CT scan and it almost sounded too good to be true. Until it was. What the doctor explained as an outpatient procedure, with only a minimal possibility of staying over night for observation, became a long procedure (3x as long as they said it would be) with a prolonged stay and some complications afterwards. Just 4 weeks later, I’m here to report that 2 tumors grew since then. That is a very fast growth. But we are doing all we can do to mitigate the growth.

On a positive note, Reid is attending an integrative oncologist for 4 weeks in San Clemente for low dose chemo and supportive IV infusions. He is overall feeling good and tolerating the low dose chemo well. Praise!

Have you heard of brachytherapy? It’s a targeted form of radiation where tiny radioactive seeds are placed directly into the liver, aimed right at the tumors. This focused approach helps minimize damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, making it harder for them to grow and divide — while sparing healthy cells as much as possible. The best part? It’s typically done as an outpatient procedure, meaning no long hospital stay.

I understand you will have lots of questions of which you can add to the comments and I’ll try to answer them as best I can.

Asking for prayers today—that this chemo does what it’s meant to do: kill every last cancer cell and stop any new tumors from forming. In the meantime, we are driving A LOT and praying for strength in this season. I’m so incredibly thankful for the loving environment surrounding Reid’s treatment, the kind and attentive nurses, and the surprising energy he’s had lately. We’re clinging to hope, leaning on faith, and so grateful for your continued love and prayers. 💛

Shalice

Family

When the Hard Things Are Gifts

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

If there’s one thing we’ve learned since Reid’s diagnosis last year, it’s that cancer doesn’t come with a handbook. Read my last update here.

There’s no step-by-step guide, no guaranteed roadmap—only a winding path of unknowns, questions, and moments that leave you standing still, trying to catch your breath. You learn quickly that grace must become your companion: grace for yourself, grace for the ones you love, and grace for the long, heavy days that seem to stretch on forever.

But even in the midst of all the unknowns, God gives us glimpses of His kindness—little mercies tucked into the chaos.

One of those mercies?

If we had rushed back into chemo immediately after Reid’s hospital stay, we would have missed something critical: the three tumors that had quietly appeared in his liver. By God’s grace, the radiologists saw them clearly in the PET scan and MRI. It was a hard discovery, but also one that led us to praise—because even the hard things, when seen in His timing, are laced with purpose.

Tomorrow, Reid has a tele-consultation with Interventional Radiology. We are praying for wisdom that only heaven can give—for steady hands, clear eyes, and for the ability to “burn off” all three tumors. One tumor is so small that we wonder if it will even be visible by ultrasound, and if it’s too small to treat right now.

But we are choosing trust over fear. Trusting that God sees what we cannot. Trusting that He is weaving together a story bigger and more beautiful than anything we could script for ourselves.

Today in church, they read Exodus 11:9:
“The Lord had said to Moses, ‘Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you—so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.’”

That verse felt like it was written just for me.
As we walk through what feels like a dark valley, I can’t help but see the parallel—the children of Israel trapped under Pharaoh’s harsh rule, waiting, praying, wondering if freedom would ever come. They lived under the weight of a hardened heart and impossible circumstances. And yet… God wasn’t absent. He was working, even in what seemed like silence.

Why did He allow it?
“So that My wonders may be multiplied.”

That line stopped me in my tracks.
It reminds me, once again, that His plans are bigger, deeper, and infinitely better than mine. He allows the hard, not because He is distant, but because He is preparing to display His glory in ways we could never orchestrate ourselves.

What feels like unanswered prayers or closed doors may actually be setting the stage for wonders far greater than I could imagine.
His wonders multiplied.
His story, not mine.
His plan, not my own.

And today, in the middle of the waiting and the wondering, that gives me hope.

We would love your prayers as we walk into tomorrow.

Read more about his 18 day hospital stay HERE

Family

Updates, Honest Prayers, and a Bit of Good News

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel
Edited in Tezza with: Contrast & Vintage

Thank you for your patience, dear readers. I know it’s been quiet over here, but the silence hasn’t been from lack of movement — quite the opposite. We’ve been busy doing life in all its messy, miraculous, and sometimes maddening forms. And for us, “doing life” includes navigating the complex and often nuanced path of living with chronic illness — in our case, cancer.

Read more about his traumatic 18 day hospital stay HERE

Read more about his at home healing routine many of you have ask for.

The other day, a mom asked me tenderly, “Is Reid going to be okay?”
It caught me off guard. Not because it was inappropriate — honestly, it came from such a caring place. But the truth is, I don’t have a simple answer. And that’s the part of this journey that is the hardest: not always having a script. Sometimes people ask incredibly thoughtful questions. Other times… not so much. I’ve had to grow thick skin, learn to filter well-intended comments, and lean hard into grace — for others and for myself.

But the most beautiful thing in all of this? God has met me in the quietest and loudest parts of this storm. His Word has been a constant whisper of peace, a balm of encouragement, and the very breath I cling to when mine feels shallow.

A Quick Reid Update

Many of you have been asking how Reid’s doing. While I do try to share day-to-day updates through my Instagram “close friends” channel, I know it’s been glitchy for some of you. If you’ve been trying to get in and can’t, I see you. I’m sorry. Thankfully, this blog space is still here for us to connect more deeply and directly.

So here’s where we are:
Reid has two cancerous spots on his liver — one is 8mm, the other is 1cm. We first noticed them on his PET scan, and they became more clearly defined in the MRI. As you can imagine, those words are hard to type. Even harder to say out loud. But here’s the part where we hang our hope: we’re praying he can undergo an embolization procedure through Interventional Radiology (IR) rather than full surgery in the OR. The latter comes with more risks — physically, emotionally, and logistically — and we’re really hoping it can be avoided.

We’re waiting to hear this coming week if he’s a good candidate for IR. Waiting is always the hardest part, isn’t it?

How You Can Pray With Us

This community has always been so faithful to lift us up — and it truly means the world. Here are a few specific things we’d love prayer for:

  1. No further spread and that he qualifies for the IR procedure soon. Time feels precious.
  2. Mental health — for all of us, honestly. This road is long, and it can wear you down in ways you don’t expect.
  3. A praise report — Reid has had amazing energy lately and even jumped back into his 5:30am workouts! The other morning, Brooks looked up at him and asked, “Dad, how did you get your muscles back so fast?”
    That question did something beautiful for Reid’s spirit. Kids just know what to say sometimes.
  4. Another little praise — I was excused from Jury Duty! Honestly, such a needed relief in this season.

Thank you for being here — for praying, for checking in, for showing up for our family in big and small ways. We’re holding onto hope and trusting that God is still writing a beautiful story in the middle of this unknown.

With love,
Shalice

Health

Reid’s Anti-Cancer Protocol: A Daily Breakdown of His Healing Routine

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

I recently posted a reel on Reid’s anti-cancer protocol—a culmination of everything we’ve implemented since his colorectal cancer diagnosis in October 2024. You can read more about his initial diagnosis and his intense 18-day hospital stay.

To make it easier, I’m sharing the details of his daily protocol, broken down by meals from morning to dinner. I’ve learned so much through research, and I hope this is helpful! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions.

Breakfast

  • Scrambled eggs (3)
  • Fresh vegetable juice: carrots, red or golden beets, apples, turmeric, and ginger. We use THIS JUICER for a delicious cold press juice.

Our favorite veggie juice recipe:

  • 2 beets
  • 1 lb carrots
  • 2 apples
  • 1 nub each of ginger and turmeric

Lunch

  • Leftover meat spaghetti (made with Good Ranchers meat and organic pasta)

Snack

  • Seed oil-free granola (I use “Purely Elizabeth”)
  • Plain whole milk Greek yogurt (not non-fat!)
  • Frozen wild organic blueberries
  • Local honey

Dinner

  • Chicken enchiladas (made with Good Ranchers meat)
  • Served with white rice (easier to digest than brown rice)

Dessert

  • Organic dates
  • Decaf coffee drizzeled over homemade vanilla ice cream or we like the “Tillamook” brand

Many of you have asked about Reid’s vitamins and supplements. I know this can be a controversial topic, so I want to emphasize that this is NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. I’m simply sharing what Reid takes daily to support his health, and you’re free to follow whatever protocol works best for you.

Let me know in the comments if this was helpful!

First things first—I filter all of our drinking water using an AquaTru under-the-sink filter. Since this filter has a 4 stage reverse osmosis, and removes 84 dangerous contaminants, it’s essential to add minerals back in. I use a mineral supplement to replenish our water from Sprouts—this is the one I use.

I also have two Air Doctor filters in our home. It super important to filter out the indoor air which is oftentimes more toxic than outdoor air. Use my link for a discount.

We also use a LUMEBOX daily to reduce inflammation. Use my link to get up to $300 off!

What he takes

I try my best to not order vitamins from Amazon as items are unregulated and you sometimes don’t know what you’re getting. However sometimes the convenience can’t be beat and you’ll notice that our our apricot seeds are from there.

Ok let’s dive in . . . .

Ivermectin (we order from a trusted pharmacist. He or she can adjust your dose to your weight. Reid’s has fluctuated),

Fembendazole 1 tablet is 222 mg, There’s a lot of phony brands out there, this one is trusted

Blackseed oil

Organic Apricot seeds, a great source of vitamin B, only eat 2-3

Vitamin D and K, we get ours from LIFEFORCE

Magnesium, via global healing aka “oxy powder” or magnesium glycinate

Mushrooms, seen here

Serenelle (Gaba and lemon balm for improved mood)

Broc elite, (note shipping was delayed for me just a heads up)

Berberine

Cayenne cool (we get the cool so it doesn’t have a burning aftertaste)

Oil of oregano

L-Glutathione 500 mg

Cinnabin (is cinnamon and activated charcoal) from Rogershood use code SHALICE for 10% off (also known as a binder)

Shijalit I love this one and this one for Reid and I

As always, let me know if you have any questions in the comments. I look forward to continuing this conversation. Much love to you ALL!

Shalice

Family

Weekend Treats at Moulin: A Taste of Paris in Newport Beach

by Shalice Noel
written by Shalice Noel

This weekend, we decided to try something new and checked out Moulin in Newport Beach. It’s this cute French bakery and restaurant, and let me tell you—it was amazing! They had all these fun Parisian goodies like French candies, wine, fancy tablecloths, and the cutest little knick-knacks. I even spotted the same salt I get from Food Nanny! The kids went straight for the cakes and croissants, and Reid and I treated ourselves to cappuccinos. Such a great spot! It has been such a gift having Reid back home from the hospital. Days like these I prayed for!

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