I walked into my first chemo session like a soldier going into battle — brave face on, armed with snacks, and a Pinterest board of “cute chemo beanies.” What I didn’t know was that chemo wasn’t just a medical treatment… it was an entire lifestyle shift no one warns you about.
If I could go back and whisper some truths to the pre-chemo version of me, here’s what I’d say:
1. Your Taste Buds Are About to Become Drama Queens
Food will taste weird. Things you used to love might suddenly taste like cardboard, or worse, like metal. Water? Oh, that innocent little drink? It might start tasting like someone dipped spare change in it. (Pro tip: lemon or cucumber slices can help trick your taste buds into not revolting.)
2. Fatigue Isn’t Just “Tired”
This isn’t the kind of tired that a nap fixes. It’s a deep, bone-level exhaustion — like someone replaced your skeleton with wet noodles. Learning to listen to your body and rest when you need to is not weakness, it’s survival.
3. The Cold Becomes an Enemy
If your chemo includes certain drugs (like oxaliplatin), you’ll discover that cold objects feel like a thousand tiny electric shocks. Forget grabbing a cold drink from the fridge. You’ll learn to drink everything lukewarm and hug heating pads like they’re your new best friend.
4. Your Digestive System Might Riot
Let’s be honest, chemo messes with everything — including what happens after you eat. Some days you’ll be constipated, other days, well… let’s just say your bathroom will see a lot of you. Emetrol, stool softeners, and BRAT foods (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) will become household staples.
5. Your Hair Doesn’t Just Fall Out — It Falls Out Everywhere
Yes, everywhere. (You’re thinking about it now, aren’t you?) The first clump in the shower is an emotional gut punch, but remember: hair grows back. It might even come back a different color or texture — chemo’s weird like that.
6. Friends Will Surprise You (in Good and Bad Ways)
Some people will show up for you in ways you never imagined, while others will quietly fade out of your life. Chemo reveals who your real tribe is — the ones who bring snacks, sit in silence, and still laugh with you even when you’re bald and cranky.
7. Chemo Brain is Real
The brain fog is no joke. You’ll forget words mid-sentence or walk into a room and wonder why you’re there. Write things down, set reminders, and give yourself grace — you’re not “losing it,” your body is just fighting hard.
8. Your Body Becomes a Science Experiment
From mouth sores to weird rashes to that one nail that suddenly decides to fall off (yeah, that can happen), chemo is full of surprises. Keep a “just in case” kit of gentle skincare, mouthwash, and anything that helps soothe irritated skin.
9. Your Dog Will Know Before You Do
Mojo seems to sense when I’m about to have a bad day before I even do. There’s something comforting about having a tiny, snoring reminder that life still has soft, warm, and uncomplicated moments.
10. You’re Stronger Than You Think
There will be days you cry, days you’re angry, and days you feel like giving up. But you’ll keep going. And one day, you’ll look back and realize you fought through hell with more courage than you ever knew you had.
Chemo is messy, unpredictable, and exhausting. But it’s also a strange teacher. It forces you to slow down, to lean on others, and to find humor in the darkest moments. If you’re starting this journey, I hope these truths help you feel a little more prepared — and a little less alone.
-Izzy & Mojo
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