Water

💧 Can we talk about water for a minute?

One thing almost every cancer fighter hears is:

"Drink water. Stay hydrated."

But no one really explained why.

I wish someone had sat me down and said, "Heidi... this is one of the most important things you can do for your body."

During chemo, there were days I didn't drink enough because I was nauseous, didn't feel thirsty, or simply couldn't keep up.

My body let me know.

My lips blistered and cracked until even smiling hurt.

I learned the hard way that dehydration can make side effects feel so much worse.

Water won't make chemotherapy easy, but for me, it made a difference. It helped my body recover, helped flush the medications through my system, and reminded me that sometimes the smallest things become the biggest acts of self-care.

So if you're just starting treatment or you're in the middle of it...

💧 Keep a water bottle nearby. 💧 Take small sips if you can't drink a lot at once. 💧 Ask your oncology team if you're struggling to stay hydrated.

Your body is working overtime. Give it every bit of help you can.

To my fellow strong fighters... what helped you stay hydrated during treatment? Let's help the next person who's just beginning this journey.