Author

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

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

It’s like trying to shake off jellyfish, like letting go of an old friend who hurt you—like cancer, something you beg not to return.

Since Reid’s 18-day hospital stay, we’ve been through countless doctor’s appointments, blood tests, and scans. The biggest mystery? When they performed surgery in December, the cancer was gone—something the doctors still can’t explain. Naturally, we started digging. How could the pathology show no cancer? Was this even possible?

Then came the Guardant Reveal test, which detected 0.075% cancer in his blood—a tiny amount. But despite that, the oncologist still wants him back on chemo and radiation. It’s a tough call, especially since Reid only made it through three rounds of chemo before his rupture and septic shock. Reid more about his 18 day hospital stay here.

We’re navigating uncharted territory here, trying to make sense of it all. See his daily protocol here sharing all the details of his vitamin and supplement intake.

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love from this community, the prayers from around the world, and the kindness of so many people. Your support means the world to us. We will keep you updated what is next for Reid’s journey.

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

One of my most asked questions is where is your jewelry from? My turquoise ring which I’ve worn for 12 years since I started in social media, is from my grannie. The rest of my jewelry from earrings to rings to necklace, is all from Lagos. I’m loving their beautiful jewelry. I love that I can shower with these pieces and never have to take them off. They’re luxurious yet practical and can be dressed up or down. Here, I’m wearing them with jeans and an off-the-shoulder top—they look just as stunning with an evening dress. Your choice! How would you style your Lagos?

Gold Ring // Caviar luxe bracelet // Two tone diamond ring // Two tone diamond necklace // Diamond bangle bracelet

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!

Lyrics of Flowers by Samantha Ebert

Well, blue skies and hillsides feel so far away
And I wrote in my notebook that I’ve seen better days
Than the ones as of late, I can’t bear the weight

The rain won’t stop pouring out my window pane
And I haven’t left my bedroom in 76 days
I wish something would change
‘Cause I’m losing faith

So I brought it up in a desperate prayer
Lord, why are you keeping me here?
Then He said to me, “Child, I’m planting seeds
I’m a good God and I have a good plan
So trust that I’m holding a watering can
And someday you’ll see that flowers grow in the valley”

So whatever the reason, I’m barely getting by
I’ll trust it’s a season knowing that you’re by my side
Every step of the way
And I’ll be okay

‘Cause I brought it up in a desperate prayer
Lord, why are you keeping me here?
Then He said to me, “Child, I’m planting seeds
I’m a good God and I have a good plan”
So trust that I’m holding a watering can
And someday you’ll see that flowers grow in the valley
Mm, mm

I listened to this song on repeat during Reid’s 18 days in the hospital. So much has happened since that day, starting in the early hours of December 7, when Reid was hospitalized.

It was around 1:30 a.m. when I drove Reid to the ER. He was doubled over in pain, and I had to find a wheelchair abandoned in the parking lot to help him sit. I still can’t believe the amount of pain he was in. After vitals were taken and a painfully long wait in the ER, Reid was visibly shaking, his color was off, and his pulse was dangerously high. The doctors kept asking if he had a history of heart problems, which we denied.

Later, a surgeon came in and said Reid needed immediate surgery—he was in septic shock. After our difficult experience in the ER and hospital back in September, I insisted that he be transferred to City of Hope, even though it was over an hour away. (You can read more HERE about how LL missed Reid’s tumor on numerous scans.)

Somehow, we managed to get Reid’s surgeon, Dr. Andrea Kaiser, on the phone on a Saturday—a small miracle. Dr. Kaiser said they didn’t have an operating room available, and the wait would be too long for the emergency we were facing. Our surgeon, Dr. Martin Rosenthal, said we had less than 20 minutes, and surgery needed to happen right away. The gravity of his words hit me hard. Reid could barely speak and was shaking. I kept thinking, Is this the last time I’ll see him? My heart was racing, and tears were rolling down my face as Dr. Kaiser supported the surgery Dr. Rosenthal was about to perform.

In that moment, I looked at Dr. Rosenthal and asked him, “How many years have you been doing surgery?” I then said, “Please treat my husband as if he were your own son.” Can you picture that? It felt like a scene from a movie, the weight of the moment so intense. I was begging him with all my heart to do his best for Reid. I kissed Reid’s forehead, and he was quickly wheeled away to the operating room.

That night, Reid was in critical condition. I called on my prayer warriors to pray like mad for his health and well-being—and you did. You know who you are. After many hours of surgery, I received a call. The surgery was over, but the doctor wanted to talk to me in person. He said, “Drive safe.”

He met me in a special room and told me that Reid had gone into cardiac arrest and they had to perform CPR for four minutes. They couldn’t finish the surgery and left him open, putting him in the ICU. The days that followed were a blur, but also traumatic. Even as I recall it now, my heart tightens.

The next day, they had to go back in for a second surgery to complete the procedure, and Reid was returned to the ICU. One night during visiting hours, I noticed Reid looked ghostly white and something seemed wrong. A nurse gently touched my back and suggested I gather my things since visiting hours were about to end. I told her I needed to speak to the charge nurse to stay overnight because Reid didn’t look good. The nurse reassured me that he was in good hands.

I insisted on checking his temperature, which read 93°F—hypothermia. Later, they used a “bear hug” device to warm him up, but something still didn’t feel right. I asked her to page the on-call doctor. It was then that we learned Reid was losing blood rapidly, likely from internal bleeding after surgery. He underwent a CT scan, which revealed the bleed, and he received several blood transfusions.

Dr. Rosenthal took Reid back into surgery a third time to stop the bleeding and clean out the large amounts of blood. Friends, it was one of the scariest nights of my life. I was forced to go home, but I found comfort in listening to scripture for sleep on YouTube. Hour by hour, I called the nurse for updates, and she filled me in on his status—moving from CT to IT, receiving blood, and then back to the OR.

That night was terrifying, but in His mercy, God watched over Reid, and he eventually healed from three back-to-back surgeries. On the fifth night, December 12th, Reid was discharged from the ICU and moved to the 15th floor in the wee hours of the morning. This was a relief because it meant I could stay overnight and keep a closer eye on him.

December 12th was also my birthday, but I couldn’t sleep. Around 3:30 a.m., I called Reid’s room, and he was upset and hallucinating, something that never happens. He asked me to come, which was unusual for him. I asked the charge nurse for permission to visit before visiting hours, and thankfully, she said yes. I drove over at 4:30 a.m. and found Reid in a soiled gown, distressed, unattended, and still hallucinating from too many days on Lidocaine. I spoke with his nurse and charge nurse about the neglect, and we had him taken off the Lidocaine. I’ll note that up until this point, his care had been excellent, and I only expected the best. I’m sure you can agree, that this was just one of the reasons why we need advocates for our loved ones in the hospital.

Once Reid was off Lidocaine, he was still seeing things, but when I walked into the room, he smiled and said, “Happy Birthday!” That sweet moment was such a gift, and I’ll always treasure it.

As I reflect on those days, my heart is heavy, but God provided moments of grace throughout. Our marriage grew stronger, and we were supported by an incredible community of friends who brought us coffee, lunch, and even birthday gifts. I cannot express how grateful I am for them.

I did everything I could to help Reid get healthy again. Every day, I brought fresh beet juice, green juices, the best collagen, and vitamins. I massaged his feet and legs with magnesium lotion. I researched every wellness protocol I could find to help him recover. This routine continued, and I balanced trips to and from the hospital, managing the kids, and carrying around beet juice and homemade soups (sometimes spilling into my bag!).

This continued until Reid’s discharge on December 24th. Before leaving, his scans revealed a blood clot in his leg and an abscess in his abdomen. We took a deep breath, but thankfully, the abscess was just dried blood and wasn’t a major concern. He was put on blood thinners for the clot.

If I could share a few takeaways from this experience, it would be this: we learned so much. I wish I could forget those first five days, but funny enough, Reid was so sedated that he doesn’t remember them. I tell him he’s blessed not to remember.

Do I wonder how Reid got cancer in the first place? Absolutely. Do I believe that God brings trials to test and grow our faith? Absolutely. Do I hold fast to His word that says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight?” Absolutely.

Reid is alive today, and that is a miracle. Can you join me in praising God for this?

Here are some takeaways:

If you’re wondering how to bless others in a similar situation with a loved on sin the hospital, here are some ways others have shown love and ministered to us.

1 Offer to bring a meal, a drink, or organize a meal train for them. I had a friend start a meal train for me and it was a huge blessing to our family.

2 Offer to clean their house. Especially if their hospital stay is long term. It is difficult on many levels to be away from home.

3 Offer a ride or to stay with their kids.

4 Offer to take down their Christmas tree – we were thankful to have help with this!

All of these things people have blessed us with!

Lug boots // Marcie knit (I wear a small) // Coated pants // Vintage Chanel // Cropped denim jacket(on sale!) // Herringbone trench

I don’t know about you but I love this combination. The herringbone trench adds a timeless, classic vibe that works perfectly for layering, while the red and ivory knit brings just the right amount of warmth and a pop of color. It’s a bold yet balanced pairing that feels fresh and cozy. Add a touch of denim, whether it’s a pair of jeans or a chic denim skirt, and you’ve got a look that’s effortlessly stylish and versatile. This combination blends textures and tones in such an easy, wearable way—it’s the kind of outfit that works for brunch, errands, or even a casual office day. Shop the look below and bring a little extra flair to your wardrobe!


Black Friday, the one day of the year when we all collectively forget about budgets and treat ourselves like we’re on an episode of Oprah’s Favorite Things. You know the drill: the second the clock strikes midnight, it’s like we all morph into deal-hunting ninjas, ready to pounce on discounted gadgets, clothes, and anything that looks vaguely like it’s “on sale.” And let’s be real, we’re all out here pretending we’re only shopping for others when, in reality, that new TV is definitely for your living room. (Who’s going to know, right?) So grab your coffee, throw on your comfiest pants, and prepare for the annual chaos—because today, the cart gets filled, and the budget gets ignored. Reid and I are looking forward to laying low at home but definitely making time to shop online. Happy hunting! Check my gift guides for more gift ideas!

My outfit

Tank // Jeans // Cardigan // Pumps

Amazon

Anthropologie select items 30% off

Demellier use code BF20 for 20% off and free shipping

DWR Design within Reach 25% off (crushing on their lull bed and Eames chair)

J. Crew cocoon coat is on my list!

Lulu and Georgia

Lumebox 50% off with BF sale

Nordstrom

Shopbop 25% off use code HOLIDAY

Varley

Walmart

Wayfair

Quince

It’s better to give than to receive, and nothing captures the joy of the season like finding the perfect gift for the special women and girls in your life. Whether you’re shopping for your daughter, sister, best friend, or mom, a thoughtful present can speak volumes about your love and appreciation. I asked Kate what a teen wants for Christmas and she let me know below. From stylish accessories and cozy loungewear to skincare sets and meaningful jewelry, a carefully curated gift guide for girls and women can take the guesswork out of gift-giving. Look for items that match their personalities—maybe a chic scarf for the fashionista or a self-care bundle of cbd and shampoo for the one who deserves some pampering. The thought you put into their joy makes the gesture truly unforgettable. See last year’s women’s and men’s gift guide.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9

1 Buy 2 get 1 free – Black Friday!

2 A classic scarf from Burberry

3 My favorite espresso machine

4 I’m sleeping so much better with CBD gummies, use code shalice20

5 Loving this mug

6 Varley cable knit is so chic and warm

7 Gucci slides

8 Love these pans so much as they don’t have PFA’s and still attractive in my kitchen

9 Love this clean shampoo/conditioner

Kate’s gift guide

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

1 Adidas in the coolest colorway

2 Summer Fridays lip collection

3 Skylar clean fragrance is where it’s at

4 Kate loves these warm UGG boots!

5 Wildflower cases went viral and Kate’s a huge fan.

6 Sol de Janeiro body oasis makes a great gift!

7 Another Wildflower case

8 Dandy oversized hoodie. I also like this oversized heather grey hoodie

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

1 Canada Goose warm layer. Reid wears this daily!

2 Ray Bans – love this classic look. They never go out of style!

3 Gorin Hat Reid loves this hat brand

4 Wallet – Reid’s been needing a new one

5 UGG slippers are a Christmas must!

6 Briefcase – Every working dad needs a cool briefcase.

7 Wireless charger Reid always needs to charge his phone and I found a wireless charger that is still attractive on the bedside table.

8 Bose speaker Reid loves using this in the gym and around the pool. It has great quality sound.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

1 scarf in charcoal

2 tartelette

3 snowball slippers

4 bow earrings

5 body wash

6 mouth tape

7 cute socks

8 Love these versatile tanks

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10

1 Atalie loves my Samba’s so much that she wants her own pair!

2 How cute is this heart mirror?

3 Atalie wears these jeans all the time! These jeans are low rise and wide leg.

4 This record has been on Atalie’s Christmas list for a while. Last night, she got it from our gift exchange. Happy dance!

5 Record players have been on Atalie’s list for a while!

6 Heart makeup bag holds all the things!

7 These heart socks are adorable!

8 Markers with a fine tip are a major commodity in our house!

9 Tote bag on repeat. This fabric is so cute

10 How cute is this sweatshirt? In August, Atalie and I went to NYC and she fell in love with the city.

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