Let’s be real—when it comes to cancer treatments, there’s no such thing as an “easy” option. But if I had to choose the heavyweight champion of body beatdowns between chemotherapy and radiation, chemo wins. Hands down. No contest. I mean… if it were a boxing match, chemo would’ve had me flat on the mat, drooling, clutching a Gatorade.
The Full-Body Blow of Chemo
Chemo wasn’t just a treatment—it was an experience. A full-body takeover. The kind of thing where every cell in your body throws up its hands like, “Okay, we’re out. She’s on her own.”
Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and hair loss—check, check, check, and check. I remember looking in the mirror one day and just deciding to shave my head before the shedding could get too real. That was a moment.
Now, listen. They have these amazing things now called “cold caps” that can help prevent hair loss during chemo. I really wish they’d been available during my journey. If they had, I wouldn’t have had to say goodbye to my ponytail—but at least I got to donate 15 inches of hair to Locks of Love. So even in the hard stuff, God was writing a bigger story.
The Slow Burn of Radiation
Radiation, on the other hand, is more of a sneak attack. It’s localized, so it doesn’t wreck your whole system, but the side effects are no walk in the park either. It felt like this slow simmer of exhaustion. And while people often continue working through radiation, it still zaps your energy. You don’t bounce back quite the same.
My situation was especially hard because my husband had just relocated for a job in another state. I wasn’t done with treatment yet, so my young son and I stayed behind. Just the two of us.
Let me tell you—being a single parent during radiation while still trying to look semi-normal at the school pickup line? Whew. I had real moments of fear: What if I collapse? What if I get too sick to take care of him?
But God Made a Way
I had to fight those thoughts hard. I leaned on prayer and practical planning. I reached out to neighbors—other mamas whose kids went to the same school—and asked for help with rides. That simple ask made a huge difference. God placed the right people in my path, just when I needed them most.
I may have felt alone, but I was never abandoned. And neither are you.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” —Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
That verse carried me through more days than I can count. When my strength gave out, His didn’t.
You Will Get Through This
If you’re in the thick of it right now, wondering how you’ll juggle treatment and everything else life throws your way, I want to say this with all the big sister love in my heart:
You will get through this.
Cry if you need to. Shave your head if you have to. Ask for help (even if it feels awkward). And don’t forget—God is still in control, even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
There is light ahead. There is healing. There is you, stronger than you ever knew you could be.
Have Questions?
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Important
No material in this blog is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any medical questions.