04/05/2026
Let’s be real about chemotherapy… because I wish someone had been this honest with me.
Everyone talks about hair loss. But chemo is so much more than that.
Some days, you’ll feel almost normal… and other days, it hits you like a brick. The tiredness isn’t just “a bit tired” it’s the kind where your body feels heavy, like even getting up is a task.
Let’s talk about the stuff people don’t always say out loud…
Your stomach and toilet habits? All over the place. One minute you can’t go, the next you really can. Cramps, discomfort, weird digestion it’s unpredictable and honestly just annoying.
Your nails can change too. They might become weak, sore, discoloured, or feel like they’re lifting. It sounds small, but it’s another reminder your body is going through something big.
Your mouth can get sore. Food might taste completely different, things you loved suddenly taste off, metallic, or just not right at all.
Then there’s your mood… and this one’s big. The ups and downs are real. One minute you’re strong and positive, the next you’re overwhelmed, emotional, or just not yourself. And that’s not weakness, that’s everything your body and mind are processing.
Steroids can make you feel constantly hungry, restless, or wired. Sleep can be off. Emotions can feel louder.
And the weirdest part? You might have days where you feel okay… and then question everything, like “is it even working?” but feeling okay doesn’t mean it’s not doing its job.
Chemo is not one straight line. It’s a rollercoaster of good days, hard days, and everything in between.
If you’re going through it, you’re not alone in any of this. Every strange symptom, every emotional swing, every “what is happening to my body” moment… someone else has felt it too.
And if you’re supporting someone through chemo ,just know, there’s so much going on beneath the surface.
Be kind to yourself. Take the good days when they come. And on the hard days, just getting through is more than enough 🤍
