Recovery Archives - Jennifer A Douglas

When Anxiety Wakes You Up at 5 AM: A Lesson in Zooming Out

Jennifer Douglas — Wed, 20 May 2026 19:53:56 +0000

When anxiety pulls you into everyone else's world, how do you find your way back to yourself? One early morning lesson in zooming out — and why it changed everything.

The post When Anxiety Wakes You Up at 5 AM: A Lesson in Zooming Out appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

My Star Trek Moment: How AI Is Supporting Me in Breast Cancer Survivorship

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:48:56 +0000

After years of navigating breast cancer survivorship, I found myself wishing for something that could help me think more clearly and feel less overwhelmed. This post shares my “Star Trek moment” — when AI became a supportive tool in my survivorship. I walk through how it helps me ease mental fog, stay organized, and move through each day with more peace.

The post My Star Trek Moment: How AI Is Supporting Me in Breast Cancer Survivorship appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

When Mastery Creates Margin: Rebuilding Routines and Rethinking Productivity After Breast Cancer

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 17:30:17 +0000

Productivity after breast cancer involves rebuilding our routines and embracing margin when we have time to rest. Do we add one more thing to our list, or do we choose to relax with the extra time we have?

The post When Mastery Creates Margin: Rebuilding Routines and Rethinking Productivity After Breast Cancer appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Managing Home Life During Breast Cancer: The Mental Load Doesn’t Pause for a Diagnosis

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 02:23:50 +0000

Breast cancer doesn’t press pause on the laundry, dinner, or school drop-offs. If you’re overwhelmed by the mental load of managing home life during treatment, this post offers honest reflections and simple ways to share the load—without guilt.

The post Managing Home Life During Breast Cancer: The Mental Load Doesn’t Pause for a Diagnosis appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Introducing Encourage: Breast Cancer and Beyond

Jennifer Douglas — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000

When I was newly diagnosed, I longed for a space that could guide me through each step—with clear information, real support, and a place to ask the hard questions. That vision became Encourage—a survivor-led membership designed to support you from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and beyond. In this post, I’m sharing how it came to life and how it can support you today.

The post Introducing Encourage: Breast Cancer and Beyond appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Choosing Where My Energy Goes After Breast Cancer

Jennifer Douglas — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000

After breast cancer, I realized I no longer had the energy to do everything I once did. The “both-and” life I used to manage became “either-or”—and that shift changed everything. In this post, I’m sharing how I began honoring my energy, making intentional choices, and letting go of the pressure to do it all.

The post Choosing Where My Energy Goes After Breast Cancer appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Medical Anxiety

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:10:40 +0000

Medical anxiety doesn’t always end when treatment does. Sometimes it sneaks in during follow-up appointments, scan results, or even when supporting a loved one. In this post, I’m sharing how it showed up for me—and the tools I reach for when it does.

The post Medical Anxiety appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

When Good Results Don’t Feel Good

Jennifer Douglas — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 23:10:28 +0000

The scan results were in, and they were good. So why didn’t we feel the joy? We were overwhelmed, exhausted, and still had questions. This was supposed to be the finish line. Or was it?

The post When Good Results Don’t Feel Good appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Vaginal Estrogen: Low Dose, High Impact

Jennifer Douglas — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 19:03:51 +0000

It is one thing to write about how vaginal estrogen can be safe and highly effective. It quite another thing to experience it first-hand!

The post Vaginal Estrogen: Low Dose, High Impact appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

My Favorite Post-Lumpectomy Bra (even years after breast cancer)

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 18:48:42 +0000

It has been years since my lumpectomy and I still wear my Molly Plunge Bra. It's excellent for recovery, radiation treatment, and life after breast cancer.

The post My Favorite Post-Lumpectomy Bra (even years after breast cancer) appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Enhancing Early-Stage Breast Cancer Survivorship: Updated Guidance From ASCO

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000

What is the latest in early-stage breast cancer survivorship? In May 2024, ASCO—the American Society for Clinical Oncology—updated its educational book in light of the newest technologies and research. This educational book is free and available for anyone to read!

The post Enhancing Early-Stage Breast Cancer Survivorship: Updated Guidance From ASCO appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Exercising After Breast Cancer: How to Create a Sustainable and Joyful Practice

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:17:32 +0000

How I created a sustainable and joyful exercise practice after breast cancer. A Sponsored post with HealthGrades.

The post Exercising After Breast Cancer: How to Create a Sustainable and Joyful Practice appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Our Restoration After Breast Cancer: A Vital, Detailed, and Often Private Journey

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 21:19:14 +0000

Our restoration after breast cancer is a process that takes time, much like the historical restoration projects. We measure in years, not months.

The post Our Restoration After Breast Cancer: A Vital, Detailed, and Often Private Journey appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Beyond Surviving: Pursuing Joy after Breast Cancer (in France)

Jennifer Douglas — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 00:41:54 +0000

Is there something beyond surviving cancer? What would it look like to pursue joy, beauty, and passion after breast cancer? Upon returning from our Fall 2023 trip to France, I continue to pursue joy, even though I won’t be speaking French as much as I was on vacation.

The post Beyond Surviving: Pursuing Joy after Breast Cancer (in France) appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

2023: My Four-year Cancerversary. 4 Things I’ve Learned

Jennifer Douglas — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:01:38 +0000

Four years have passed since I heard, “You have breast cancer.” In honor of my cancerversary this year, I decided to share four things I’ve learned about cancer since my diagnosis.

The post 2023: My Four-year Cancerversary. 4 Things I’ve Learned appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

My Two Favorite Lumpectomy Recovery Bras

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:39:19 +0000

After my lumpectomies, I wore a bra all day and night for the first few weeks of my recovery. I needed comfortable bras that were easy to put on. I tried many bras and am excited to share my two favorites in this post.

The post My Two Favorite Lumpectomy Recovery Bras appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

How to Create a Comfortable, Cozy, and Chic Surgery Recovery Wardrobe

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:56:57 +0000

Before my surgery, I spent some time creating a comfortable, cozy, and chic recovery wardrobe. I wanted options that would be soft, easy to put on, and loose-fitting for extra comfort. I thought I’d share my recovery wardrobe choices here with you, and perhaps they can inspire you to create your own collection.

The post How to Create a Comfortable, Cozy, and Chic Surgery Recovery Wardrobe appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

HealthGrades Post: Finishing Breast Cancer Treatment Doesn’t Mean You’re Done

Jennifer Douglas — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:30:00 +0000

When I walked out of the radiation center in December 2019, I was relieved to be finished with breast cancer treatment. I was finally done. Little did I know at the time that finishing breast cancer treatment doesn’t mean you’re done.

The post HealthGrades Post: Finishing Breast Cancer Treatment Doesn’t Mean You’re Done appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Cancer Survivorship: Living in the In-Between

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:00:00 +0000

When I finished breast cancer treatment, I eagerly awaited the time that I could move back into the normal phase of my life. Treatment was done, and now everything could fall back into place. But, it turns out, there isn’t a back to normal. Cancer survivorship, for me, means learning to live in the in-between.

The post Cancer Survivorship: Living in the In-Between appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Recovery is a Process, Not an Event

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 24 May 2022 15:58:09 +0000

Recovery from cancer or a significant injury isn’t an event. We don’t wake up one day and feel completely recovered. Recovery is a process, not an event.

The post Recovery is a Process, Not an Event appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Recovery Process for my Herniated Disc

Jennifer Douglas — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 23:03:51 +0000

The recovery process for my herniated disc has been a long one. I can’t believe I’m still dealing with symptoms nearly a year after the problem began. I fondly remember when I would fall and scrape my knee as a child. After a few days of pain, I’d be back to my normal activities.

The post Recovery Process for my Herniated Disc appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

It’s Been Two Years Since I Finished DCIS Treatment-It feels Like Forever Ago, and Just Yesterday

Jennifer Douglas — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 17:55:55 +0000

Two years ago today, I walked out of my last radiation treatment for DCIS. It feels like forever ago and just yesterday.

The post It’s Been Two Years Since I Finished DCIS Treatment-It feels Like Forever Ago, and Just Yesterday appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Eighteen-Month Imaging after my Lumpectomy: Bilateral Mammogram with a Surprise Ultrasound

Jennifer Douglas — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 18:38:11 +0000

My eighteen-month imaging after my lumpectomy was scheduled to be a single mammogram on my right breast. This was the one that had DCIS in 2019. I ended up getting a bilateral mammogram with lots of images taken, followed by a series of ultrasounds.

The post Eighteen-Month Imaging after my Lumpectomy: Bilateral Mammogram with a Surprise Ultrasound appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Recognizing Anxiety and Returning to Calm

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 02 Apr 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Over the last several weeks, I’ve recognized that my anxiety has resurfaced. My mental well-being has been challenged of late through a combination of personal habits and circumstances. I want to share what I’m doing to be more aware of the presence of anxiety and how I’m addressing it.

The post Recognizing Anxiety and Returning to Calm appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Post-Radiation Skin Changes: Don’t Stop Moisturizing

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Once you finish radiation treatment, additional skin and tissue changes might come up during the following year. Don’t stop moisturizing when radiation ends. Continuing to take gentle care of your skin will help it heal over time.

The post Post-Radiation Skin Changes: Don’t Stop Moisturizing appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Five Reasons I’m Focusing on Fitness After Breast Cancer Treatment

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

I have been focusing on my fitness now that I’m done with breast cancer treatment. Here are five reasons that I have been exercising more after breast cancer.

The post Five Reasons I’m Focusing on Fitness After Breast Cancer Treatment appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Ten Tools I Used To Walk Through Cancer Anxiety

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Cancer anxiety can come up during all parts of our diagnosis and treatment journey. Here are ten tools that helped me walk through the anxiety.

The post Ten Tools I Used To Walk Through Cancer Anxiety appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Caregiving Tips: Create a Recovery Basket

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 12 Mar 2021 12:00:00 +0000

A recovery basket is a centralized place to keep all of the necessary supplies and medications needed during the recovery period. It is a place to keep the notes from the doctor and keep track of medicine dosing.

The post Caregiving Tips: Create a Recovery Basket appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Dressing Beautifully Every Day for Well-Being

Jennifer Douglas — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 12:00:00 +0000

One of the things that I try to do every day to support my well-being is to dress beautifully. It is a small thing that I do to support my overall well-being.

The post Dressing Beautifully Every Day for Well-Being appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.

Creating a Private and Comfortable Bedroom Oasis

Jennifer Douglas — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:00:00 +0000

I have created a private and comfortable bedroom oasis in my home. The master bedroom is a special place where I can shut out the rest of the world, relax, sleep, and enjoy intimate moments with my husband.

The post Creating a Private and Comfortable Bedroom Oasis appeared first on Jennifer A Douglas.