Q & A: Cold Capping, Self Image, Pulling the "Cancer Card"... 

I have watched you for years, for at least a decade, and I just wanted to say I am very proud of you for being you and being such a dazzling personality in my day to day life. Thank you.

I just wrapped up chemo for my 2nd breast cancer at 27 years old. I remember when you first told us about yours - it was around the time i found out about my recurrence and made me feel so much less alone. And wow, just look at us now, Grace!! We did the damn thing and I'm so proud of us

My favorite parasocial relationship internet big sister - thank you for your authenticity!

“I feel like an imposter in my age bracket” is the most delightfully honest statement I’ve heard in a long time and thank you for saying it because it gave a voice to something I’ve felt for a long time.

I was joking to my manager at work in my mid-20s how I felt like I was still 17 and she, in her 50s, leant over to me and said quietly “You know, that never changes or goes away!” So I guess everyone is really faking it til they make it!

I unabashedly pull the cancer card and i encourage you and every other survivor to do the same. We honestly forget and downplay how traumatising it is.

From dressed to repress to a mental health advocacy queen. We love to see the growth. I've said this several times but I've been around since the mydamnchannel daily grace era and watching you just roll with the not so beautiful parts of your life (whether or not that was what was happening internally) you made me someone who embraced and *gasp* learned to love the messy parts of myself. You changed my life Helbig and there were times in the dark night of the soul that I couldn't laugh at anything....until I watched a makeup tutorial or a haul video. Thank you for your vulnerability and your honesty. I love you girl.

This is what a true warrior looks like. It must be so difficult to go through this process, especially at this time of year, while keeping your spirits up. Keep it up, Grace! We’re all rooting for you!

My hubby is still dealing with prostate cancer. As a caregiver, hats off to Elliot. It's so easy to give everything to your LO. What's hard is trying to care for yourself. I still suck at it.

I once had a conversation with an 86 year old woman and she told me that she felt 26 on the inside and had no idea where time went, but she did NOT feel her age at all. It was extremely eye opening.

joining the chorus of people who have been watching your content as long as you’ve been making it, this series has been so wonderfully eye opening and you’re so very lovely for making it. we’re glad to have you grace, you are beautiful inside and out ❤ the words about past eating disorders creeping back up are very relatable, just remember that your body forgives you for all of it and none of the cells you have now were even there back then. at least that helps me sometimes. *huuugs*

I think you can consider every video you made in this process a part of your "giving back"--you were honest and transparent and very real about the enormous mix of emotions and what was hard and how you were learning and growing, how you were trying to process and shared so many tips and tricks and documented the experience very clearly. All of that is already and will continue to be an enormous gift to the people who are walking this same road after you.

Your anecdote about talking to Goose through your treatment made me cry. Good dog

I was hospitalized 13 times between Nov to Feb 2022/2023 and couldn’t take care of my hair. So it matted and I had to shave my head. It’s at an awkward stage of growth right now but it wasn’t too bad. I’m glad the cold capping helped and I hope it continues to work! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. All the best to you Grace! ❤

Grace, I'm 55 and pretty sure I'm not an adult. I often think about what my mom or dad's life looked like at each age and think, "So they were an adult by now... wonder when it'll kick in for me." Maybe never! I'm glad you've found the balance between sharing (for all the reasons you listed) and keeping stuff private too. Happy to come along on any journey you take us on. Have a wonderful weekend and good luck with all the things this month!

You wanted to know how to give back? You already are. These videos from a first hand source are invaluable. All the love.

When you said "wouldn't it be funny if I had to shave my head after all of this?" I laughed out loud because that is literally what I did three months after my last infusion. My hair was still shedding, as was the skin on my scalp. I liked my buzz cut ok, though.

super friendly neighborhood onc/chemo nurse tapping in again, this time to thank YOU for being so open, honest and genuine about your experience. I think we (your nurses) get so caught up in taking care of people with cancer that we forget what the whole experience can be like for you. I work in the hospital on the oncology unit so my patients are going through different issues than you, but it’s been SO insightful for me to hear what this is all like from YOUR perspective. I’m learning from you now. Thank you so much. And as always, WAY TO GOOOO WOOOOO YOURE DOING GREAT!!!! KEEP IT UP!!!! ❤️

Seeing yours and hanks cancer journey has been intense and interesting to watch. I am incredibly thankful that both of you had treatable “straight forward” cancers, you’re my internet parents and I wouldn’t have known what to do otherwise. Thank you for sharing your journey. I’d love to see a Hank and grace cancer podcast episode at some point if you’re both up for it…

I continue to adore Goose and her beautiful spirit, but her laying on you and staying close to you is just so special. Hopefully she isn't having doggy anxiety about your health... But even if she is, she's cuddling you about it, so good job Goose!

Pay it forward - feel the same after my breast cancer treatment. Being a resource to help someone else just beginning the journey is important to me. I was triple positive as well and it was overwhelming having to learn so much so quickly. In a sense having to learn a new "language" so you could understand all the things the doctors were telling you, all the crazy medication names, what they did, side effects, etc. I think you are paying it forward with this video series and sharing your experiences. Its awesome you are sharing your experiences and this content will be so helpful to many other women.

I love that the Jersey accent shines through when you said "steroid." It is a delight as are you and I am so glad that you are kicking this cancers ass!

As someone who grew up watching you through high school & college, it has been so meaningful to see your process through all this. Even though none of us feel like grown-ups, I really do look up to you and relate to the growth you've shared through the years. Even parasocially, thank you for being a friend and opening pieces of your life to us ❤

I am so grateful for your posts, they do make me feel less alone and that is so more than enough. Thank you for sharing and being you. Been a supporter for over a decade. Cannot thank you enough, Grace, for being brave enough to put yourself out there. You are so strong.

The "oh so charming" bit with the hand under the chin ☺️ *ding!*

Thanks for responding to my question! You’re truly one of my favorite humans on earth. We love you, Grace!!!

I had a lumpectomy, chemo & radiation & have been cancer free for 10 years now. I believe you’ll beat this Grace! ❤

I’m so damn proud of you and everyone that has to go through any of this. It’s crazy to think that I’ve grown up with you (I’m 27 lol) so just seeing you go through this, it was a rollercoaster. Was like worrying about a friend. If that makes sense. But I’m proud of you. You’re beyond strong. And beyond loved.

so glad that putting this process online has reignited something in you with youtube etc. all your content has had value to us i hope you know that. a video you might look back and cringe at is someone’s video they go to when they’re lonely, depressed etc 💖 hope the surgery recovery goes well and you and elliot can have a lovely comfy end to the year lord knows it’s well deserved!!

Thank you for sharing, Grace. I'm sorry you've felt isolated and I'm glad we can help. Keep kicking ass!

The passage into adulthood is when you get that strange urge to proactively get on the phone with insurance/bank/doctor/mechanic to fix a problem.

Gosh sometimes I reflect on what Edward 40 Hands Grace would think of this video. Thank you so much for allowing us to glimpse behind the curtain to this process. Having heard you say for years how private you are it doesn’t go unnoticed by any of us long term fans. Also, as someone currently in eating disorder treatment thank you for that fact that you’ve been bringing this up more. It helps me feel less isolated.

Yes, part two, please!! And thank you for your open and honest content- you and Mamrie are my OG favs, and watching you grow through all this is wonderful.

Happy holidays Grace, Elliot and Goose! Grace, you should be so proud of how well you're managing this whole experience...letting yourself feel and accept whatever your mind and body is feeling in every moment. It's so lovely to see 😊

Grace I absolutely love how you’ve been so open about your journey and still laughing being yourself along the way! I’ve been a fan for a long time and I absolutely love that you keep us entertained every week!! Please do a part 2 of the left questions!! Keep going and don’t ever give up!

Hi Grace, I was watched you for almost a decade now and you truly inspire me every day! I am so so proud of you and you always bring a smile to my face

Thank you for being so honest with us, Grace. I want to say, "Take care of yourself" but I think you're doing a great job with that and don't need reminding!

Watching your videos through this journey feels like seeing a best friend that you've kind of lost touch with, but when you see each other, the friendship is just as amazing as where you left it, and almost better because you appreciate the time together. It makes me want to reach out to those real life friendships to experience it IRL! Thank you for your honesty and vulnerability.

really proud of your support systems/people and medical staff. I feel safe and warm assuming they went to bat for/with you. you're more the grace we've patroned for so long, than ever before! 'grats

Inspirational stuff Grace. You’re such a brilliantly natural orator & communicator. I could watch you read the bus timetable. Keep smashing it, and kicking cancers butt x

I’m finishing chemo this month and your content during this journey has brought me so much comfort! And oh boy those ghosts of eating disorders past REALLY come at you hard on chemo! Sending you so much love xx

After my breast cancers experiences (2) I spoke to many women, explaining what would or might happen during their own treatment. Each and every woman was in shock and didn’t know what their next step should be. It made my heart happy to know that I could do something to help them. You, Grace, are helping so many women (and men) who are going through this difficult journey themselves, and you should be proud of yourself for being willing to share so much of yourself. I know I am very proud of you! As always, stay strong, stay sweet, and take care. Luv ya 🩷 B- Maybe you’ll read my Q in part 2 😁

I was so touched by you talking about your experience w cold capping and hair loss. That was such a human moment of grace (that's right- I said it 🤣) and as such, incredibly moving. I was SO happy about the whole asked and answered aspect of that Goose 🐶 question. I love you my friend. ❤

Grace, I have been watching since the My Damn Channel days and used to come to see you perform at the People's Improv Theatre back in 2011 or so (I gave you a copy of Tina Fey's Bossypants, for some reason). It is such a gift to have watched you become the person that you are, I am sorry that this time has been difficult, I can't even begin to imagine, but I feel so proud of you, all that you have accomplished and where you are now in life. I realize I don't know you personally, but there is this strange effect with content creators where it can feel like they're your friend, and I feel proud of you in a similar way as how I feel about my loved ones. Stay strong, we love you and support you!

Thanks for being so open and honest with us. It definitely has made me feel less alone in my own cancer journey and it’s been reassuring to see that other people have some of the same thoughts and experiences as me.

my mom has metastatic breast cancer and watching this has given me more of an inkling of what's happening in her head rn. thank u for this grace, u have so many fighting alongside you and rooting for you. :)

Grace, I've been watching your videos since 2012, and I love everything you do... Thank you for sharing this difficult experience with us. This is much appreciated

what a fantastic description & suggestion for journaling to remove "sandbags." You know how much your sharing is amazing right? It's such an enlightening insight, that will help us all be better for our family & friends!

So happy that you are being so open about your experience. Also love the Teddy Fresh

Loved this SO much, you should definitely make a part 2!!

The thing when you intentionally go to RU-vid for something else, then see Grace has posted, and immediately click. ❤

The acceptance you’ve somehow harnessed throughout this process is really inspiring to me as a chronically ill person. Radical acceptance is something I continue to work on.

I love when you say "i don't know" at the end of videos. It makes me smile. And Grace,i an su proud of you for getting through this. It definitely doesn't seem like a good time. I hope your Lumpectamy goes well! Sending love.

Please do a part two! This was so good! I have been so worried for you and you explaining these things has made me feel better(because this video was just for me,right 🙄) Seriously though, thank you so much! I hope your recovery from the surgery is going well. You are loved ❤❤❤

Damn girl, I needed this on so many levels. Hope you keep getting better, stay strong 💕

Thanks for taking care of Grace for us Goose!❤

I love that you’re bringing the “I don’t know” back at the end a little haha I always related to that and now you’re somehow even more beautifully yourself 💪

I'm currently going through chemo for triple positive breast cancer. Also doing the cold cap and just recently went public with my diagnosis after initially keeping it private. A lot of what you said rang true for me here, especially the need to be open about it because of how hard it was to not share it and the need to connect with others.

i'm so proud of you, Grace. and i'm so glad that you're being so open with your struggles (as a person with chronic pain and illness). it's been so validating. sending you love daily 💜

No me tearing up the first time I heard you say "I don't know" in what feels like forever!! 😭

Sending you so much love, Grace. Chronic illness is so overwhelming and heinous, and it’s amazing to hear you verbalize things that I’ve dealt with for years but not ever spoken about. Thank you for sharing this with us.

a note on the medication question, from a 2x cancer survivor - my first treatment was when I was 12; I had leukemia and a bone marrow transplant which meant I had endless antiviral, antifungal, vitamins, steroids, anti-nausea, and other meds to take. My mom made an excel spreadsheet with each medication and then columns for dosage info, if it needed to be taken with food, and four empty columns to the right to check off each time I took my meds (since some were 4x daily). We put that chart in a clear sleeve (you could also laminate it but my meds changed often enough that it would be quickly outdated) and then used a dry erase marker to check off each box when I took them. I definitely recommend this for keeping track of your meds!! And good luck to your dad!!! Grace, thank you for sharing this whole process with us all, I'm so happy to see you make it through the last round of chemo! I hope the lumpectomy goes well and the mystery deposit biopsy is all benign!!

You are so awesome and I’m so glad you decided to share this part of your life. I have also been guilty of keeping secrets as a form of protection/trying to avoid vulnerability and dear god is that a challenging path to keep going down. You’re inspiring me to be more vulnerable and share my life because what else is the point of life if you’re not sharing it!!! Thank you thank you thank you

Bro ily sm I honestly relate to you and your thoughts on being diagnosed keep going and keep making content as long as it makes you happy ❤

My younger sister just started chemo for colon cancer and as overwhelming as it is, I feel a little more prepared for helping her out from having watched your journey. I hope things continue to improve for you!

you are doing you great! all my best wishes for the season : )

Thank you so much for this! And yes please to a part 2!

Literally got so excited when I saw you chose my question! (Screenshot it for proof🥰) I meant self-image exactly as you interpreted it. You made a comment when doing the merch photos & I was hoping you'd elaborate. You're so good at putting into words, feelings so many share. ❤ ya Grace

i am going through a bit of a health situation right now as well and today my doctor prescribed me some medication to manage a symptom and i was kinda like meh we will see if i need it. you just reinforced what she told me- there is no medal at the end for suffering through symptoms! this is why we have lovely medications and medical folks to help us, we dont have to be uncomfortable or in pain. thanks for the perspective

Thanks for the update! Go Grace Go!

the goose convo is so real i do that with my dog

Keep quacking Helbig!! You earned the right to scream about whatever your chemo brain wants to yell about!! Thanks for sharing and making us eel less alone.

You’re cool asf and inspiring as a person in general thank you for existing

After this is all over you should be the face of a big group that helps other cancer soldiers. Your light you bring to a dark subject could keep people ALIVE. Im serious.

so proud of you gracey

I gotta say the fact you feel like you're just documenting and not putting in loads of additional work into these videos shows just how naturally funny you are as a person!!! Have you tried vaping weed? It might help with the stomach troubles!

The idk and the format/music of this Q&A is so cozy! it remind me the old Grace but 2.0 she still doesn't know but so much has pass that now she does know, kinda. Go Helbig!! lol

Your double take on the meaning of self-image made me think about if it really only means what you see on the mirror or something more. And ultimately, I find that it is more about self-perception, how you pick up not only on your image but the things that you do, the thoughts that you have, things that you need and want.

Goose is the cutest. I love when we get updates.

Hi Grace, thanks for sharing your journey! Gooood afternoon from central Florida! Hope everyone has a great afternoon!

RE: Hank Greens reel. Hoping or dreading curls when your hair grows back?

Haha PF Chang’s 😆 Nice to see you Grace. Your hair looks great! Thanks for sharing your answers. They were very wise and insightful, and you were very articulate, as always. See you next time! 🤍

I've really been through a whole journey struggling to get therapy and your journaling advice is soo helpful, thank you.

yeeeeeeup, RE: adult identity. when I was about to turn 25 and meeting VERY different people from me, one of them off handedly mentioned that adults don’t know wtf they’re doing ever, either!! it’s been a freeing 4 years for me knowing that

Keep it up, Helbig. You're doing great!

You always serve funny Grace!🙌🏼 thanks for always sharing and you got this!😊💖🙌🏼 Very cool hoodie grace btw!😎🧸

Health, hope & complete healing energy vibes to you and everyone.☮️💟

My breast cancer experience definitely taught me the value of advocating for myself with doctors. Glad everything has gone well ❤

Will always and forever watch anything and everything you (and Mamrie) do 😊

I am all for getting the anxiety loops out.. I have noticed getting thoughts out of myself in some physical manor helps immensely, writing or talking both work. Putting those magic brain pixies in some sort of order, for them to get out of my skull parts always leaves me in a better state than before. - cheers

I just found a lump in my left breast that I will be getting checked out and I know no matter what happens from that your videos have helped! So thankful you shared your journey and if something happens with this lump I’ll have your videos to get me through it!

Buddy, you were the first youtube channel that I subscribed to after I saw you on g4tv and your content has meant a lot to me over the years. You'll be in my thoughts my friend.

YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION 😭😭 My dogs always know when something’s up with me lol

It’s crazy that your brand used to be avoiding the deep stuff because you are continuously so profound! The “feelings are sandbags in your brain” comment really hit home for me 🥹

I really have a feeling that adults generally don't feel like adults, but it's those who are younger in age (I did this too lol) who perpetuate the thought that your life is over at 30 (or whatever age people are arbitrarily assigning as "old"). I just turned 30 and things still suck, but are still so much better!

I am *so* damn proud of you. Kicking your cancer's ass, being not just willing to be vulnerable but actually volunteering to be vulnerable, finding the humor in it...I'm just really, really honored to be witnessing this journey for you. Also, yes, I did see that Lupron joke, ma'am ;) So so so so so much luck with the lumpectomy! You got this shit, babe!

I say this with all the love and positivity in the world, but you are just bonkers enough to maybe take this suggestion. If (if....LOL) you've never watched a superhero show or movie in your life.....if you're willing I highly suggest watching Season 3 of Superman & Lois. It has a season long story arc with Lois Lane dealing with a serious medical issue and for me the viewer, made the whole topic real and the way they handled it was simply amazing and VERY moving. You dont need to know the characters and other story lines, yes you will be lost, but the way they handled Lois' story arc brought tears to this cold hearted dude. Regardless thank you again for being a beacon of light on this very dark topic...and SO glad to hear you're doing much better. 🙏

Looking good Grace. Keep your chin up. 💪🏻 You’ve got this!!!

Grace you are simply AMAZING

Thanks for sharing ❤ good luck with your surgery 🫂