In the fight for her life, hope and infrared sauna became among Kristin's most important tools for self-help. – If there's a one percent chance of survival, why can't that be me?
Kristin Jørstad is a trained intensive care nurse, worked for many years as a manager, is a mother of three – and a cancer patient. In 2022, her life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
The prognosis was grim.
– "You're not sitting here thinking you'll get well, are you? It's just a matter of time," was the doctor's message, followed by the advice to enjoy Netflix, potato chips, and wine.
Naive hope gave strength
What the doctor perceived as naive hope, however, turned out to be Kristin's strength. When her body didn't respond to cancer treatment, she chose to continue the fight – on her own terms.
Today, the disease is in regression, meaning greatly reduced. She believes that her steps to maintain a good quality of life have also influenced the prognosis.
– I'm not there yet, but I'm deeply grateful, she smiles, emphasizing that her message is a story of hope.
– Hope is a human right. Don't let anyone take your hope away.
Hooked on biohacking
Many remember Kristin from the TV 2 series Norge bak fasaden (Norway Behind the Facade). In the episode "Hooked on biohacking," she openly shared how she strengthened her body and mind in the face of the disease.
Without defining it as biohacking herself, Kristin chose to take active steps to give her body the best possible conditions to maintain quality of life and fight cancer.
Infrared sauna became a "game changer" – along with meditation, ice baths, stress management, sleep regulation, and dietary changes, among other things.
– It was my friend Eline who introduced me to IR sauna, or more specifically by lending me her own infrared sauna blanket. I still get emotional when I talk about it – that thoughtfulness, she says, placing a hand over her heart.
Moving encounter – Siw and Kristin
It didn't take many weeks before she noticed an improvement.
– On a cabin trip, my sister-in-law asked: What has happened to you? Before, you would fall asleep while we were talking. You couldn't keep your train of thought. Now you're almost yourself again, she laughs, meeting the gaze of Radiant Health founder, Siw Hansson Kaulbach, who is visiting Kristin.
Between them, they each have a steaming hot cup of tea. They have been in contact since Kristin bought her first IR sauna. Afterwards, Siw sponsored her with an extra sauna for the cabin. Today, they meet face-to-face for the first time.
– It's fantastic to see your journey, says Siw.
She pauses for a moment before continuing.
– Or, actually, it's a mix of fear when you hear the story, while at the same time I become optimistic and moved. How have you been since the TV 2 recording?
It's been six months since the cameras were turned off.
The choice between time and quality of life
The atmosphere is warm and cordial – even the family terrier, Felix, who has jumped onto Kristin's lap, wants to join the conversation.
– The day after the filming was finished, I received disheartening news. The cancer had spread to my lungs.
Immunotherapy was discontinued. The only thing the doctors could offer was life-prolonging chemotherapy – with minimal effect – a treatment that almost killed her the year before.
– I might get a couple of extra months. Since I didn't feel bad at all, I started thinking: If my life is shorter than we thought, how do I want to live the days I am given?
She chose to decline chemotherapy.
– The most important thing for me was to be well with my children and my husband. I felt that I chose life by maintaining my quality of life, rather than chemotherapy which could make the days harder.
Cancer became an awakening
Kristin went "all in" with the lifestyle changes that brought joy and energy, including infrared sauna. She believed that what she was doing was right for her. At the next check-up, in January 2025, it turned out that the cancer had significantly regressed.
– We weren't prepared for that, she laughs, saying they almost can't quite grasp it yet.
Siw gets tears in her eyes, stands up and gives Kristin a hug.
– I'm so happy for you, she exclaims.
– Thank you. I told Einar, my husband, that we must dare to embrace the good news too. Not just believe and hope – we must know, and try to live in it.
Getting cancer became an awakening for Kristin.
– I could have rushed through life, turned 80, and wondered what I had really spent my time on. Now I understand that life is here and now.
Instead of focusing on what cancer takes, she chooses to see what it gives: presence, love, and gratitude.
– I experience being more genuinely present.
Hope as a driving force
Today, Kristin uses an IR sauna three to four times a week, at home and at the cabin.
– It helps the body recover, alleviates pain, provides better sleep, and energy to be present with the family.
She believes complementary treatment should have a greater place in healthcare.
– Norway should think more about what we do to help the body tolerate and recover after tough cancer treatment. Athletes have mental coaches, why not patients?
Daring to believe that things can go well can make a difference – even in illness. Complementary treatment can give patients tools to strengthen body and mind.
– Food, physical activity, sleep, stress management, and creating the best possible environment in the body are simple, free measures that everyone should be educated about.
The turning point
A one percent chance was all Kristin needed to live a better life with cancer.
– I have been given life as a gift. It may sound strange to say that as a cancer patient, but the awareness of what I fill my days with has given me a joy of life I would not have found otherwise.
Following Siw's visit, Kristin has received several fantastic – and completely unusual – news from her doctor. At the last check-up, only two tumors of 2 and 3 mm were found.
– That's really nothing. It's absolutely amazing, she writes in an SMS to Siw.
After the spread to the lungs and many metastases "all over," Kristin describes the message from the doctor as unreal.
– I said no to life-prolonging chemotherapy and felt that I chose life – I really did. I will continue to take care of myself.
Text: Trine Dahlman
Photographer: Sverre Christian Jarild and private
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice, but an encouragement to take responsibility for one's own health, explore complementary tools – and never give up the will to live or hope. After the interview, Kristin stopped ice bathing because it caused too much stress in her body. As she herself says: Not all tools are suitable for everyone.
Her goal in sharing her story is to inspire, empower – and give hope.
