My Wild Mammogram-Biopsy Story & My Fav Chemo-Friendly Products 

I'm a very awkward non-toucher too, but once during a really painful gynecological procedure a nurse held my hand and wiped my tears the whole time, and it was amazing. At first it was extremely awkward, but by the end I was incredibly grateful. Physical connection can be hard for people like us, but I'm thankful for people who offer it, and I'm really glad it helped you, too.

As a mammogram tech/ team lead of a breast center, I’m really proud of you to share your cancer journey. Part of my job is to tell women that they have breast cancer, and those days can really suck, but to know that now we can fight this awful disease makes it a bit worth it. You can do this Grace!! Fighting with you from Tennessee!

"this woman's whole job was to hold my hand the whole time" i love that nurse with my entire heart. that entire team of people is so amazing and have an important job and we love them, but especially that hand holding nurse. I hope you get the results back soon!

It is actually so informative to hear a non medical person talk about the medical processes they're going through. You're also a great storyteller, Grace, thank you for sharing

Just finished cycle 10 of 12 of chemo for colon cancer and am currently laying useless on my couch crying in frustration/anger. You’re so right about the crazy feelings and it’s so comforting to hear someone express exactly what I’m going through.

Grace, your designated hand holder story mirrors my own experience current it made my eyes burp up water of gratitude. Ten days ago, I had to have the King Kamehameha of rotator cuff repairs. As I was wheeled into the OR (after a nerve block and pre-surgical happy-happy drugs), I was positioned sitting almost upright when my anesthesiologist came to put an oxygen mask on me for a couple minutes. Suddenly, a very tall man stood on my left side, my pre-op nurse stood over my left shoulder, my anesthesiologist was over my right, and another nurse stood by my feet. At that moment, I remember thinking I felt a tear run down my cheek. My anesthesiologist switched me to the snoozles gas as my pre-op nurse scooped her arm under my neck to cradle it whilst holding my left hand. The male nurse held my elbow and scooped under my knees. The nurse by my feet held each of them in her hands. And, my anesthesiologist reached out for my right hand. It was being cradled by these strangers my body gave in, and I faded out. It was such a loving gesture to comfort me as my fears were trying to overcome me. I cannot begin to thank them for their compassionate kindness. It meant so much to my broken, scared self in that raw, vulnerable moment. I will always remember them. I'm glad you were in compassionate hands as well. Keep fighting. Know we are all out here sending you love, light, and prayers. ❤

Can we just take a minute to recognize cancer doctors and nurses??? I found out at the start of October that I have a rare form of chronic blood cancer and I’m sure the last month would have been 1000 times harder without the nurses I’ve been with. They are angels.

I cried watching this. No cancer experience, but plenty of chronic illnesses and harrowing medical experiences. What I wouldn't have given for a hand so many times. What you're doing here by sharing is so valuable. And this kind of open vulnerability and the way its connecting those watching is what I have felt for a while now is one of the most beautiful things that people can do. As someone who was brought up to be very guarded and who has tons of anxiety, I know how hard that is. I'm grateful you made this choice to talk about it. Spillage and all.

I had a mastectomy last year followed by chemo, it’s rough as f’k - I think you are absolutely doing the right thing sharing your true emotions/thoughts/feelings and as always you do it in such an adorable way. I’m a long time fan of yours, you captured my heart in your early videos, vlogging sat on the floor by a coffee table whilst house sitting, since then you have given me the best of laughs and many moments of contemplating random inconsequential things (which at 2am whilst still contemplating I have cursed you for) You are a very special person Grace, I feel privileged to hear about your journey with this experience and never ever think we don’t want to listen. I ended up losing my hair but there was a huge plus side - it grew back blonde and curly !! Virtually holding your hand, take care sweetheart ♥️🇬🇧

I’ve had a couple of ER visits and have also had diarrhea for over 2 months now (just found out I’m celiac), and thanks to you sharing all the painful and traumatic details of trying to gather the stool sample in the ER without the “hat” (plus the fact that urine damages the sample), I was able to ask for the whole setup and successfully secured the sample. Thank you for being so candid, Grace. It’s helping more of us than you’d know!

It takes a fighter to battle cancer... a hero shares their battle to help others. You got this Grace Ann Helbig 1st aka Hero in the 1st degree. You got this Jersey girl!

Bless that hand-holding nurse. Bless you and your ability to embrace the emotional science of all this.

The fact you didn’t start crying the second they told you they were doing the biopsy in the mammogram, even with Ativan, is extremely impressive to me.

My mom passed out during her mammogram biopsy! She had basically the same experience of having one prior that she was able to lay down for and then came back for the other and said she was scared that she was gonna rip her boob off when she passed out 😅 she’s cancer free now, can’t wait for you to be too!

During nursing school, we are taught the power of physical touch. Although some of the teachings didn't feel evidence based, I often held the hands of my patients during difficult procedures. It's nice to hear that the patients appreciate it.

During my last spinal tap, one of the nurses let me hold her hand, and it was so so helpful. That little bit of human connection and reassurance, even from someone you don’t know, can mean so much!

Every single one of these update videos makes me overwhelmingly emotional, both in awe of your strength and in sadness for how awful and difficult this process is/has been. It makes me reflect on how grateful I am and how strong you are Grace. For every person in these comments talking about their own experiences, you are amazing. I cannot even fathom going thru this and truly surviving. It’s never clicked for me what being a cancer survivor truly means until watching your videos. Everyone, you got this! Keep going!

My jaw was dropped for so much of this. Thank goodness for the hand-holding help. So glad there was someone there for that.

grace, don’t forget that you are allowed to be “the kind of person who corrects nurses” - if you think something is wrong you are ALLOWED to advocate for yourself in your healthcare! i’m glad this was an okay experience for you, all things considered.

“Tiny breast offering to this medical dragon mouth” I lost it 😂

"Tiny breast offering into this medical dragon mouth" 😂😂 Oh Grace, I'm sorry you're dealing with all this but that line was golden, thank you 💜

the woman that held my hand whilst i cried during my biopsy deserves a raise. What a wild ride we go through to kick cancers booty hole

I have said it once and I will say it again, when this is all over you need to make a cancer comedy special. These stories are tragic and hilarious in the best possible combination.

Hoo boy, i remember feeling the same feels as you during my fourth round of chemo. I had eight sessions in total, so i was at the halfway point...but i was effing DONE. I was just over it. I went through the same periodical weepies where I'd be scrubbing away in the shower and then find myself sobbing uncontrollably. The emotional and mental roller coaster is real. I too found solace in holding someone's hand during procedures. I have a massive fear of needles and felt like the world's largest crybaby every time I asked if someone could hold my hand while getting a biopsy/local anaesthesia/whatever. But the technicians were very kind and super supportive. Also, calling the mammography equipment "the biggest panini press you've ever seen" had me roaring. I'll never look at that the same way again. You rock, sweetheart. Keep up the good fight. 💪🏻

i totally recognize this tone of voice during cancer treatment. it’s hard because it IS comical to you in the moment, but i can’t help but cry 2 years out. this phase is the HARDEST! so close to the end and it feels so far. so close to the end yet there’s still mountain left to climb somehow. you go grace and thank you for encouraging us all in the process.

I had major surgery last year for endo after years of misdiagnoses and medical gaslighting. A couple of the nurses in the hospital treated me with such compassion while I recovered, and I was so grateful. It felt healing after being ignored for so long. I wrote in my notes app ‘there is nothing more profound than being cared for by a stranger’ (I was still quite drugged when I wrote that, but I stand by it!)

The hand holders are my unironic favorites. My heroes. When I had my wisdom teeth out, they gave me TWO, and I think I broke both of their hands. Apparently, as I was coming out of the anesthesia I thanked them each about a million times and completely ignored the actual surgeon.

Your description of feeling the faint coming on reminded me of when I had been laying flat for so long that when I'd sit up, my blood pressure would drop and I'd get sick. I started to gradually spend more time sitting up, and thankfully it stopped bothering me in general in at least a couple days. I dunno how long actually, that was a long time ago, and is one of the memories that is hard to recall sometimes

completely different, but when i went for a colonospy there was also a lady who just held my hand the whole time and i honestly couldn't have done it without her! whoever she is im grateful to her and her support.

I had cancer when I was 19, and someone gave me a cookbook called The Cancer Survival Cookbook by Marino Weihofen - it felt… gruesome? At the time, but it was also a lifesaver. I still own the book, lol, though I’ve been in remission for 15+ years. There’s a delicious carrot recipe in there, among others. Highly recommend, though you may have to get it used- not sure if it’s still in print.

pine needle joke = extremely underrated

Grace, I am so sorry to hear that you are sick, you have been a light in my life since I was 14 and your videos have given me so much joy. I wish you well and I hope that chemo can eradicate your cancer. X

No matter what life throws at you, Grace, your ability to tell a story and paint a picture does not diminish. We are all rooting for you. Your fight is strong!

I went through chemo in 2020 and the angry feeling at round 4 seems to be a theme! Hearing your story made me tear up as I remembered all those feelings with you. One of my many mantras during that time, and continues to today "give yourself the grace you give others" Anytime you get mad at yourself for whatever you're feeling, ask yourself if you would be understanding if it was someone else. Sending you all the love!

My initial biopsy involved a tech who just held my hand 75% of the time and when I went in for more biopsies I actually missed it. A hand to squeeze during procedures is so underrated

Nurses are incredible. The nurse I had when I got pancreatitis and had to get my gallbladder removed was the best part of that really crappy experience. It's definitely a job that is not for the faint of heart. Bless the hand holding nurses everywhere! ❤

go grace, go grace!! i'm alongside you in the breast cancer battle right now and your videos are so comforting

For years I worked on an inpatient floor taking care of patients after cancer surgeries: mastectomies, hysterectomies, colectomies, etc. Then a year ago I changed it up and now work outpatient Oncology Infusion. And let me tell you, as a nurse on the other side, seeing things from the "patient's" perspective is simultaneously eye opening and hilarious. The way you describe the grown woman nurse holding your hand made me laugh harder than I have in weeks. And I know I've been "that nurse" to patients many times throughout the years. Oh and biopsies are WILD, basically anything we use to image the body: MRI, CT, ultrasound can be used to guide a biopsy. But hoping for the BEST news from your biopsy results and thank you so much for sharing your journey. You got a cancer nurse in Minnesota rooting for YOU!!

Awwwww. I had an ultrasound biopsy a couple months ago (since then I've had a cancer diagnosis + double mastectomy), and the hand-holding during the biopsy part was very unexpected but welcomed. I haven't dated anyone since way before the pandemic, and I've been sick with Long Covid so I am not used to human touch on a regular basis at all. I'm grateful to have a breast cancer clinic with caring staff.

"Emotional Gas" is my new favorite phrase. Thanks for that - and thanks for the "I'm not really an (fill in the blank) person ... when I am sober". Your continued sharing of these experiences puts a reality on it that so many of us are removed from. I feel that you are helping many... thank you -- cheers

When they found my ovarian cancer, they did an internal ultrasound and I was absolutely sobbing from the pain. The nurse told me I needed to “calm down” and that it “wasn’t that bad”. It was in the middle of covid and I wasn’t allowed to have anyone with me. I felt so helpless in that moment. I’m so glad you had someone there to comfort you. Nurses like that are truly a god send.

Just had round 5 of my chemo for tnbc, with two more to go. I remember when I was first diagnosed I was told I would be getting a mammogram and a blood test at the appointment (I'd already had an ultrasound and breast biopsy a few weeks prior). They then sprung an armpit biopsy on me at the same time which was horrendous. Having anxiety, ptsd and a needle phobia, I've never been more grateful to have a nurse holding my hand and talking nonsense to me. It really makes such a huge difference. I'm so beyond grateful for those moments where you actually feel human. Good luck Grace!

I turned my mom onto TMGW a couple years ago (she listens every week and loves you both) and she's scheduled to get a mammogram biopsy in a couple of weeks and she's a little nervous about it, can't wait to tell her that half of her favorite podcast duo has not only experienced it, but has a fun story about how it went!

Didn't know what to expect when I had my first biopsy and I didn't want any of the details whatsoever. BUT, because I went alone (not by choice) the nurse HAD to tell me because there wasn't another adult to inform about all the legal stuff. I was terrified, as I have a fear of all medical procedures and needles, etc. The nurse held my hand the entire time and I am so thankful for that. I sent her a thank you note and gift card for helping me through a tough time. I am so glad you have your husband with you through all of this. Doing it alone is very shitty and prevents me from taking any meds to help ease my anxiety before and during procedures. Crying does help as I cry all the way home so my two kids don't have to see me a complete wreck. Thanks for sharing the info about the mammo biopsy. I had no idea! You're almost there!! Sending hugs!

Dude listening to this story my anxiety started to rise! I am so grateful you said something to the nurse about feeling faint. I believe that's why she is there. So while the doctor is working she can see if you are going to pas out or need anything. I remember getting teeth pulled when I was 12. I was surrounded by 3 nurses and one of them was just there to hold my hand and ask me about my upcoming vacation. I was so young but I remember feeling so comforted like I was with my aunts and not scary doctors! I'm deeply glad you got some comfort because I know how scary those things can be!!

As a fellow non-touchy person, the comforting hand-hold is a power in itself. I have held the hand of hundreds of patients going through surgeries and procedures. As a nurse, while I have gone through this process hundreds of times, it's almost always the patient's first time. Offering a calm, firm hand while talking through each step of the procedure and what to expect next can be the touchstone someone needs to get through something scary and unfamiliar. Thank you, as always, for sharing yourself with the world. Sending you ALL the fuzzy, comforting, hand-holdy vibes you need for your results and next chemo round!

That's so kind and lovely that she held your hand. Medical people like that deserve a raise and a medal ♥️

Thank you for making my day better by sharing. As someone who has terminal cancer, I really appreciate you and all your info! I'm grateful for the good days, because the bad days have been hard lately. Thank you. I just love watching your smiling, happy face. I'm cheering for you girl! 👏🏼 🫶🏼🩷😊

If I'm honest, that story made me teary unexpectedly then laugh out loud more than once - I'm glad you are doing ok. It was really great to see an old-school review as well (can you see it? can you see it? can you seeeee itttttt?). Thanks Grace.

I had to get a drain near my heart and I had to be awake, just local anaesthesia. There was a nursing student in the room, she sat basically the whole time and held my hand. And it was so gentle and so kind.

I’ve had a “holding hand nurses” with a different medical experience and it’s so reassuring to know someone is there just to focus on you as a person and not just a procedure. Thank you Grace for allowing us in on your journey. This will help so many people.

I remember the nurse who held my hand during my IUD insertion, she helped me so much with such a small gesture and I probably hurt her, but it meant the world to me. Thanks again for sharing these lesser known intricacies of the medical world

Nurses are angels and grace you are doing gods work in these videos. You are humanizing a very scary experience with such humor and resilience that is beyond incredible.

We lost my mother in law last week to Ovarian Cancer, she fought for 2 years. I wish I knew of some of these products, she would have loved them. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

I was horrified hearing the story on Instagram and I'm still equally horrified. Good grief, that's a long biopsy needle. Eeeeeeekk. Your bravery is unmatched! Thank you so much for sharing this journey. It's helping me relate to a friend going through chemo for another type of cancer currently. Cancer is our 30s is becoming shockingly common.

"Looking like I just had a traumatic experience" OH HUNNEY YOU HAVE omg I'm so sorry you're going through this but also I think your videos are so so important, thank you so much for sharing, you've got this!

I probably would have cried the entire time if a nurse held my hand during my last thyroid biopsy, that is so sweet that she did that for you

crying about the nurse holding your hand!! love u

Grace!!! I first subscribed to you over 10 years ago (and loved you so fckn much! Still do!!) and have kinda fell off watching RU-vid... recently I have been watching RU-vid again, went thru my subscription list and came across your channel again! And I am absolutely shocked, saddened, still very inspired, and still find myself extremely entertained with my cheeks sore from laughing. I miss you very much and I am praying for you. I admire you so much more now than ever. You are so incredibly strong. Keep letting the emotions out!! I'll be watching more!

I absolutely hope that I never have to go through this, but if I do, I will be grateful to have heard it from someone who has been so incredibly candid about it all. 2 more, and you're done!! We're cheering for you!!

I'm sitting here crying AND laughing so hard..I don't expect you to see this, Grace, but...3 years ago when I lost my fiance to suicide, your videos were something that gave me so much comfort and helped me get through my grieving process. Now seeing you go through this and be so strong but also so vulnerable and transparent, and still manage to be one of THE most hilarious women I've ever heard is so inspiring. You are such an amazing human being, and I'm so proud of you. The fact that you can describe an insanely intense experience that would be traumatic for anyone and still manage to have me belly laughing multiple times is phenomenal ❤️

I’m going through a different struggle with stage 4 kidney disease. I share so many of the emotions that you’ve been having so it’s nice to know I’m not alone. This week I felt angry and broke down which rarely happens but it was good to get it out. I’m praying that you have a full recovery, Grace, and thanks always for the comic relief!❤

Oh Grace, what a trooper you are and even though this was a bad round for you, your still sharing everything with us and making us laugh. "Spillage" As a former ICU nurse I've held many a hand during many a procedure and it really makes a difference. I could actually see my patients BP and HR come down on the monitors just by holding their hand and reassuring them. We're used to sweaty palms. LOL

Grace, I hope you know how much we all love you. At this point, I think I’ve been watching your videos for at least ten years, and I’ve always adored you. Thank you so much for sharing this difficult time in your life with everyone. I wish you all the best ❤

Today is Wednesday and I hope that you're doing well ❤ Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. I've been watching you since I was a lost 19 year old on my parents couch at 1 am. 12 years later and I still feel the same sense of relief when I watch your videos. Like, "Man, this chick gets it" and I'm in awe of your journey through everything. Thanks for being you, Grace ❤

That’s so rough. I sobbed and laughed as I sobbed because you are so funny. Wish you didn’t have to go through this, but so grateful to you for sharing your story. You got this! ❤

Its nice when someone genuinely offers their hand. Keep going Grace. I love you.

Grace this is such a valuable experience and experiences you are sharing. As a nurse I encounter so many patients who come into their journeys without any idea of what to expect. Knowledge is power and being able to see you share your side of your journey is empowering so many! Even myself as a nurse. It is so rewarding to hear that things that we do for our patients stick with them and really matter, even something seemingly small like holding a patients hand! Keep on going strong! We’re all rooting for you ❤

Thank you for being real but also mixing humor in too. I’m personally not sick but I know people who are and they’d appreciate someone who’s going through the same things they are being real but also giving them a reason to laugh and relax a little. You’re doing good things, even while you have a boob goblin

You’re so close to the finish!!! That’s awesome. I’m excited for you. Thank you for being such a positive light for people who go through the same thing, and also to us who go through other things too. Your latest videos made me smile so hard ❤ Go Grace 🎉❤

having gone through a biopsy myself, thanks for educating all the girlies about the process!! as per usual, you bring hilarity to even the worst moments in life and i love ya for it.

This video, more than any in years, demonstrates how your beautiful, brilliant mind overthinks you into the anxiety spiral. The blessing and the curse... Love and prayers always for you, Grace. I pray you read this. Hold more hands. Touch is healing.

I recently just had my tonsils removed and coming out of surgery they needed to wake me up with narcan. And I was shaking like crazy I asked the nurse if she could hold my hand while the new pain meds kicked in and it washed away so much of the stress in that moment. Touch is magical and nurses are the best

It is always such a delight when you show up in my feed Grace! Thank you for keeping us updated on your life!

I LOVE that she was there to hold your hand. I think that would have legit made me cry and may not have been helpful. But I’m so glad it felt peaceful to you. Sending you love and healing ❤

Grace, you are an inspiration!! You have a lot of people praying for you and sending you love.

It's great that you are using your platform to share the details of your cancer battle. Many of us are experiencing similar situations and your openness and honesty provide some great therapy for us. We can relate to much of what you say, laugh a bit and shed a few tears. You are like the nurse holding our hands. Keep up the great work - your positive attitude and talent is amazing!

my jaw dropped at the word "spillage" omfg, the things nurses say nonchalantly!! it's nuts!!

So happy that you made it through the procedure well and that the simple act of holding your hand made a difference. As a nurse myself I have done that for my patients and wondered it that actually made them feel better and now I know in my heart it most likely did and that make me happy. Keep up the good journey through this part of your life Grace♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Hi, Grace! Fun fact: before I retired, I worked for the company that makes the mammogram machine that you were molested by. I sat through so many lectures and meetings extolling how revolutionary it is and I'm convinced it's the best the industry has to offer: you're getting top-drawer care. My experience with biopsies is that they're not fun. I had a punch biopsy of the fingerprint area of the middle finger of my right hand. Jeebus, did that hurt (there's more nerve endings on your finger pads than anywhere on your body, bla bla bla). But the best part was the following x-ray (had to make sure the bone wasn't involved). Pretty young tech from the midwest took 15 minutes to arrange my hand on the x-ray plate. She had constructed a fist with my middle finger pointing at the sky. Surprised, she blurted out "There's something you don't see every day!" I replied, "You must not drive." Well, that was a trigger! Lol. I'm still praying for you. Get well. We love you. We need you.

I am so sorry you had to go through that, but very glad they got what they needed. Sending positive thougts!!

These videos are so incredibly informative and I know they are helping so many people! Thank you and keep on fighting the good fight. Even through the crappy days. And I do mean crappy very literally given your experience.

Grace! Healing thoughts and energy sent your way. You’re one great person, I hope you know that. 🤗💜

Love you, Helbig. Thanks for sharing your story which was quite comical as always. (That beanie is definitely you.) I think that hand holding kept you distracted enough to keep from freaking out too much. Amazing how human touch can be comforting even from someone you don't know. Keep feeling your feels and hope all goes well Wednesday. 💕💕💕

Sending love, healing and support to you Grace 💙💙 I’m sorry the biopsy was so difficult and scary. So glad you had and have such great support 💙💙

I've been watching you since the early days and have become so greatful for your sharing in this difficult process with so much Grace! So proud of your generosity and compassion ❤️

sending you love Grace. You are so close to this getting a little bit easier!!!

Grace, you are doing great! You’re almost there!! Congratulations on getting through these rounds. You’re amazing, strong, and YOU GOT THIS. Thanks for sharing your journey. ❤

Grace, I’ve been watching you since 2015 when I got my heart broken. Watching your videos lifted my spirits and I learned to laugh and looked forward to becoming an adult. I’m still watching your videos and I’m happy that you still make them. Thanks for sharing your journey with us

Thank you for sharing your story... My mom was recently diagnosed with cancer and watching your videos (both old and new) have really helped her. Sending healing vibes and saying prayers for you. 💓🙏

Thank you Grace for continuing to share your journey with us! You are a warrior!! 💪 I burst into tears as soon as you mentioned the nurse offering her hand and you taking it because it takes a strong and empathetic person to offer, and a strong person to take it. You are amazing in your vulnerability and strength!

I wear a tremendous number of hats in my job, but one of the top-line items on my resume is "professional hand-holder." I have held the hands of literally thousands of people going through something intimate, usually unpleasant, sometimes scary. One time, probably about 15+ years ago, I had a patient who was particularly touch-averse, and generally standoffish overall. No matter; I can roll with that. Didn't touch her for her whole procedure, but right at the end, I leaned down just to tell her "we've only got about a minute left; hang in there." I looked back to the doctor to assist, and I felt her reach out and take hold of my hand. She didn't say anything. She didn't even open her eyes. She just reached out in that moment. And I held her hand right back, and I didn't let it go until she was in recovery. You're onto something when you talk about that being about reaching out for someone, being there for someone. Sometimes it's just helpful to know you're not going through this weird-ass, scary-ass, uncomfy-ass experience all by yourself. I'm glad she was there for you. And I'm SO glad this part of the journey is nearing its end for you. Onward and sideways!

Oh grace, this made me tear up. That sounds so scary. Thank you for being brave enough to take care of yourself and to share this experience with us! Hoping it’s all downhill from here for you.

I'm sending you all the positive vibes and prayers, Grace. You got this!

MY HEART. I felt this. I didn't have a mammogram biopsy, but other biopsies i've had the nurse that holds your hand is just the best.

Grace…you’re doing such an amazing job hunny. Please stay strong and know that we all love you so much!! Xoxo ❤️😘🥰

Thank you for sharing really heavy topics, with a comedic attitude! Rooting for you!

Go Grace! So lovely and funny and profesh. I’m sorry you have to go through this. You’re in good hands and praying it is successful and complete very soon.

wishing you best of luck, it's so heartwarming to see you so positive and strong!

I haven’t had cancer. Just “busy breasts”. My biopsy site was in a similar place. They had me stand during mine. There was no hand holding. Disassociating has never been more welcome. Seriously. I remember very little. Edit: context