To Those Newly Diagnosed... It DOES get better!

I got diagnosed at 28 back in October of 2025. I was distraught. I thought my life had come to an end. I had to cancel my wedding. I thought I'd never travel again. The list goes on.

While this has been the hardest season of my life, I'm almost at the end of chemo (5/6 done, last one next week!!!). I can't believe we've made it this far. We have plans for our wedding next spring, we're traveling a few times this summer to celebrate the end of chemo, and most importantly, life feels pretty normal. I know this isn't the case for everyone, but I just wanted to share...it is scary, but it DOES get better. I heard that a few times during my diagnosis, but now I can confirm it's very much so true.

While I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, chemo wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thank goodness for modern medicine such as steroids and Zofran. I wanted to share some tips that worked for me and were game changers between rounds 1 and 2-5:

• Acupuncture. I get acupuncture the day before my infusion, and two times the week of infusion. This has been a game changer and addressed my tummy issues, bone pain, fatigue, etc. By day 5, I bounced back to 75% normal and by day 10, I was back to 100%.
• Hydration. Ask for extra liter of hydration. It doesn't hurt to ask. I get a liter during infusion day and one a few days after. No joke- I drag myself in there and I'm skipping out. Game changer.
• Movement. I know, we don't want to do this. But it really changed the game for me. I'd usually tell myself, "only 5 minute walk", and I'd continue for 20-30. This really helped with fatigue as well. After a week or so, I could continue with strength training and tried to keep that up on my two off weeks.

I also cold capped with Penguin, and I have been able to keep about 80% of my hair so far. I anticipate keeping about 70% by the time I'm done in a few weeks.

• Wash hair only once a week with cold to lukewarm water. I run the water with a baby bath rinser. I can't wait to run my hair through a warm shower, but it's been worth this extra step for now.
• Super gentle shampoo. I've been using Aveeno Apple Cider. Skip conditioner. If needed, leave in conditioner only at the bottom half/ends.
• Sleep on silk bonnet and silk pillowcase. Prevents tugging/pulling.
• Do not style hair. I've let my natural hair run wild. No blow drying. No hair tools. Low pony tail if anything.
• Comb my hair every day to prevent matting. Yes, I see daily shedding, but the couple of times it's matted have been the messiest shedding of all. Daily combing helps so much with this.

I hope this helps anyone who is newly diagnosed and doesn't see the end of the tunnel. I am not out of the woods yet, but it really does get better. Best of luck, pink sisters. <3