Starting Chemotherapy: A Comic

By Daniel Malito

September 17, 2021

You've been diagnosed with blood cancer. What comes next? Usually, it's treatment. There are many different treatments for blood cancer, one of the most well known being chemotherapy. You may know that chemotherapy works by killing cancer cells (and other healthy cells too), but everything else is still a mystery you are about to uncover.

Starting treatment, whether it's chemo or something else, can be a scary experience. There are many unknowns and of course, the different side effects that are often par for the course.

In this comic, Blood-Cancer.com advocate Daniel Malito, shares what starting chemo can feel like.

A man being told he needs chemo. A doctor tells a man who needs chemo that it is safe. A man walks in to administer chemo in protective gear.

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This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Blood-Cancer.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Maria Valente Moderator
September 17, 2021
OMG! This <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> ! It strikes a chord. When what I see does not match what is said a basic trust is eroded. I've experienced this many, many times while treating CML for the past 10 years. I understand that a medical facility is not a mental health facility and it's sad that both are not intertwined in a way that supports full health. The most uncomfortable part is when that attitude gets spread around. So when your doctor acts this way, so then do your family or friends who were lucky enough to see it. If a professional behaves this way, perhaps it's best we do so too, right? And the world gets lonelier and lonelier. I'm so grateful for this community. I love your animation! My daughter would revolt if I used the word cartoon. It's soo Gen X 😁
1. Ann Harper Moderator
 September 20, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> I thought you drew it. Anyway, absolutely what happens and it is scary!!
2. DennisGolden Moderator
 September 20, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> Really great images and so true
Amanda Brunson Moderator
September 18, 2021
This is sooo TRUE! The cartoons are Perfect and I love the creative! Now when I look back I realize the stuff that they were putting in me was so dangerous that they always messed up with PPE! That tells you something so when I see your cartoon I’m like this is exactly what I saw on my head. The struggle is REAL! And so is the nausea 🤢🤢🤢and everything else that comes from the side effects of chemotherapy. I love You guys sooo much everyone is amazing! 🫂🫂🫂🫂❤️ Amanda🐼(Blood-cancer.com team member)
1. Daniel Malito Moderator
 September 19, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> It was like that, totally like it was safe but then was it really? They come in with spacesuits on and I was like, OK, I guess not totally safe then 😀 Thanks! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
2. DennisGolden Moderator
 September 21, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> That cartoon was so dead on - Hats off to Daniel and the design crew. Simplicity can often deliver the most powerful message.
Connie Connely
September 18, 2021
Very creative, Daniel! That's what it feels like. Oh, chemo is fairly safe these days.
Daniel Malito Moderator
September 19, 2021
<inline-mention username="Connie Connely" user-id="3639405"/> Thanks, it is what it feels like, right? Such a dichotomy.. thanks for checking it out! Keep on keepin' on, DPM
Ginger-W
September 19, 2021
Oh, Daniel, this is what my old oncologist told me at my diagnosis of MGUS June 2019. I was getting ready to move 800 miles away and she pooh-poohed the seriousness. "Oh, they'll just give you some medicine if need be..." Uh, right. Fast forward to Nov 2020 and it morphed to active mm.
1. Daniel Malito Moderator
 September 22, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Ginger-W" user-id="4248606"/> Yeah, it seems that doctors always play down chemo and cancer, and maybe it isn't as serious to them but when it's happening to you it's as serious as a heart attack! They also always seem surprised when it doesn't happen! Thanks for reading, keep on keepin' on, DPM
Ann Harper Moderator
September 20, 2021
<inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> I remember the first time Crystal got chemo. The nurse was dressed in a hazmat suit (it looked like it anyway). It was scary for sure and this was going into my daughter!! Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team Member)
1. Daniel Malito Moderator
 September 22, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Ann Harper" user-id="3637920"/> EXACTLY! It's like full moon suits complete with emergency eye wash stations and skull and crossbones! But it's not bad once you put it actually INSIDE YOUR BODY, right? Ha ha. Thanks for reading, keep on keepin' on, DPM
2. Ann Harper Moderator
 September 29, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> Once it's inside, it's all good - lol Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team Member)
Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator
September 21, 2021
I loved this Dan! It says the most! How can the stuff we've taken, still take be the safest, if even the team is greed up for the apocalypse. I think we all get used to the puzzlement. SMH. 
1. Daniel Malito Moderator
 September 22, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo" user-id="3647991"/> Exactly. It's like prepping for Armageddon if they spill a drop but don't worry, it's fine for you to have it directly injected into your veins. It's only super dangerous if we spill it on the table. Or the chair. Or our skin. Or eyes. Or the air. Or anywhere. Ha ha, thanks for reading, keep on keepin' on, DPM
Ramae Hamrin Moderator
September 23, 2021
<inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> Love the cartoons! And they so accurately portray that first time getting an infusion. I recall thinking, "WHY ARE YOU PUTTING ON THE HAZMAT SUIT IF THIS ISN'T HORRIBLE POISON?"😱 lol. The things we are capable of getting used to over the years ... 
1. Daniel Malito Moderator
 September 28, 2021
 <inline-mention username="Ramae Hamrin" user-id="3651272"/> So true, so true. The things we now take as normal after cancer I sometimes have to remind myself that many regular people would look at as bonkers or horrible. It's easy to forget that when you live it every day and it's just part of life. It makes me laugh sometimes. OK, maybe more than sometimes... 😀 Thanks for reading, keep on keepin' on, DPM
cooper
September 30, 2021
Not looking forward to it, but trying to keep a good attitude. Indolent MCL, NO Treatment yet , has been stable for 8 years, knock on wood!
1. Daniel Malito Moderator
 2 days ago
 <inline-mention username="cooper" user-id="3646697"/> Here's good vibes hoping everything goes well for you! Thanks for taking the time to share! Keep on keepin' on DPM