Liza’s Story
Liza shares how Luma³ Go became part of her “comfort architecture” to support moments of calm during chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and scalp cooling.
Key Takeaways
Liza was treated for triple negative breast cancer with chemotherapy, including scalp cooling at Spire in Leeds, followed by surgery, radiotherapy, and ongoing immunotherapy.
She used Luma³ Go during chemotherapy infusions, including scalp cooling, and during radiotherapy sessions.
The guided square breathing mode became part of her personal routine during treatment, helping her manage anxiety, sleep, and uncertainty.
She describes Luma³ Go as part of her “comfort architecture”, something steady and self-soothing she can rely on.
In this article, you’ll meet Liza, a self-described IT geek, a detail-oriented technical consultant and someone who has a real zest for life. When she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, Liza faced a series of physically demanding treatments and emotionally taxing experiences that challenged her mind, routine, and emotional wellbeing.
Throughout it all, Luma³ Go became part of her process and routine, not a magic solution, but a reliable companion during moments of uncertainty, helping her focus during scalp cooling, breath-hold during radiotherapy, and create calmness and stillness during moments of panic at home.
Liza’s story is honest and deeply human. She shows how small, intentional and easy practices can create structured pockets of calm, even on the really difficult treatment days.
Meet Liza
Liza is in her late 50’s and describes herself as bubbly, warm, and positive, and credits her parents for a strong foundation of resilience and love. She and her husband, Dan, who she affectionately calls “Billy Bonkers”, enjoy travel, seeing friends, enjoying delicious food and making good memories. These simple and meaningful joys became key touchstones during her treatment.
Her professional life is equally central to who she is. A technical consultant in a niche IT field, Liza had to pause work due to “chemo brain”, one of the most frustrating side effects of her treatment. During these challenging moments, she turned to small routines and tools to stay grounded, including her Luma³ Go.
Support at Home, Calm in Hand
Throughout her journey, Dan has been one of Liza’s biggest supporters. But chemo days were especially difficult when Dan couldn’t be by Liza’s side. Facing moments of uncertainty and being without her usual support highlighted the value of having small and structured anchors. It was during this time that Liza turned to tools like Luma³ Go, which gave her a portable, tangible way to calm herself and regain focus.
As a tech-loving couple, they approached treatment like a system to manage what they could control. Liza has been keeping her own personal blog, and together they maintained a spreadsheet of every hospital visit. Dan has driven her to every single appointment – sometimes twice in a single day – culminating in over a hundred logged visits.
Facing the Unknown Alone
“My first ever chemo treatment was terrifying, especially realising that Dan couldn’t be with me during chemo.”. The ward was small, only six beds, and visitors weren’t allowed. “He dropped me off that morning, we had a quick hug outside the car, and it was like, ‘Okay, bye.’”
The unknowns were overwhelming at first. She had her port fitted the night before and was frightened of the wires and access point. But once treatment began, the experience surprised her. “I thought chemo would feel like Domestos being pushed through my veins, but with a port, I didn’t feel a thing.”
Fear didn’t disappear entirely. “During my second round of chemo, I knew this round was going to be the most difficult — the one that would make my hair fall out.” That second round marked a shift emotionally, this was when routine became essential.
Chemotherapy and Scalp Cooling: Finding a Portable Calm
From day one, scalp cooling was part of Liza’s chemotherapy. The cap was cold, tight, and initially intimidating. Once the cap was secured, Liza used the square breathing mode on Luma³ Go to guide her focus.
At first she focused on the coloured light patterns to guide her breathing. “The colours are really nice and mesmerising – it helps guide your breath in and out.” Later, she relied on the subtle vibrations and didn’t need to look at it. “It gave me a moment of calm, almost hypnotic, and I thought, ‘Okay, it’s fine, we can do this.’ It transported me somewhere else entirely.”
A few weeks into treatment, she developed peripheral neuropathy, experiencing numbness and tingling in her fingers. Cooling gloves and shoes were added to her sessions alongside the scalp cooling cap. “You look like a penguin with flippers and a cold hat,” she laughs. “But it’s perfect. The [The Luma³ Go] device vibrates, you tuck it inside the gloves, and you don’t have to hold or fuss with anything. Closing my eyes really helped immerse myself.”
“Every possible difficulty has been anticipated with the Luma³ Go. You can even use it with your eyes open or closed. Closing my eyes really helped immerse myself.” “The Luma³ Go felt multi-sensory [for me]. If you can’t tap into one sense, you can tap into the other. That’s what’s so nice about it.”
Wrapped around her chemo bag, Luma³ Go became part of her weekly routine:
- Cooling cap on
- The Luma³ Go square breath programme
- Session unfolds in familiar rhythm
“The Luma³ Go felt like rosary beads or worry beads — tactile, something self-soothing, and something to focus on.”
By the time her chemotherapy sessions came to an end, the breathing pattern was embedded. Even without the device in her hand, she found herself returning to square breathing automatically… four in, hold, four out, hold.
Chemotherapy had begun with the fear of the unknown. It ended with familiarity, rhythm and a long-term ritual and tool she could carry forward.
A Steady Companion During Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy requires stillness and breath control, which can feel intimidating and stressful for patients. Liza found Luma³ Go a helpful companion during these sessions too, especially when she needed to hold her breath for 75 seconds with no assistance.
“I wasn’t allowed to look at my phone and wasn’t provided with a countdown, I held the vibrating Luma³ Go in my hand above my head,” she recalls. “It gave me focus, structure, and a little ritual. It made the experience feel manageable.”
The healthcare staff at St James’ Hospital Bexley Wing were equally impressed. “When I showed the staff in Leeds, they thought it was brilliant. They were so enthusiastic – they said this is exactly the kind of wraparound care that can make a huge difference to patients. It’s not just the clinical stuff; it’s these small supports that matter.”
Liza added: “Once you get the hang of it, you can feel what’s going on with the vibrations, and you don’t need to look at it. Although the colours are beautiful – very hypnotic.”
Beyond the Chemo Chair
The Luma³ Go didn’t just become a comfort companion for Liza at hospital though, it became a tool she used at home too. Liza uses it to manage anxiety, support sleep, and maintain emotional regulation. “Once or twice at home, I’ve used it just to help me sleep when I couldn’t. I started following the breathing, before I knew it, I felt a lot calmer. […] It’s like a comfort toy, once it’s going, your brain just goes, ‘It’s fine. You can go to sleep.’ There’s a little bit of practice, but it trains your brain.”
Even without the Luma³ Go in her hand, the structured square breathing has become second nature to Liza. “If I’m without it and need to calm myself down, I automatically do the square breathing – four in, hold for four, four out, hold for four. After a year, it’s a part of my routine.”
Luma³ Go: A Companion for Moments of Calm
Liza describes the device as tactile, immersive, and subtly hypnotic. “It really calms you down. It’s comfort – like a favourite cuddly toy as a child, or messing with your hair. It’s a self-soothing tool, it helps me slow down and eliminates my stress.”
She appreciates its thoughtful design: “It felt like someone had sat in this chemo chair, experienced it, and then designed the gadget. It feels like it was designed for every possible difficulty.”
Her favourite feature has to be the Luma³ Go’s tactile feel. “It’s very nice to play with in your hand, soft, and fits perfectly in my palm. It’s become part of my routine and a reminder that calm is possible, even in the middle of treatment.”
Summary
Liza’s experience shows how Luma³ Go quickly became part of her routine, without her even knowing it, it fit in effortlessly. From the chemo chair to radiotherapy and her daily life at home, Luma³ Go provided a reliable companion that helped her manage stress, focus her breath, and stay grounded when it mattered most.
One final message from Liza: “If I could go back to my first session using the Luma³ Go, I’d say to myself: ‘It’ll be fine. It’s going to be very useful. Have a go and see what you think. You might be surprised.’”
We want to sincerely thank Liza from Spire in Leeds for taking the time to share her thoughts on the Luma³ Go and her personal story.