Chemo brain is very real, but it seems that not everyone I know who's had chemo experiences it in the same way. I had chemo 4 years ago for breast cancer. After the 2nd treatment, chemo brain started to creep in and continued to increase week by week. I'm an educated, active, creative person -- with a bit of ADD thrown in. But for months, I could literally sit for hours staring out the window. Couldn't do math -- the checkbook, other finances. Had a very difficult time figuring out my short term disability payments -- had to call HR several times to ask questions and they were very patient. I struggled to try to stay normal. My oncologist understood -- not sure other folks did. It started to diminish about a month after treatment ended. Probably took a number of months for it to completely go away. But, it finally did.
It takes a very long time to get back to the energy level you enjoyed before chemo. You'll begin to notice progress after a few months, little by little. I believe it took me more than a year to get all my energy back -- and then some. I was really too weak to exercise early on, but I started getting full body massages from a licensed massage therapist. I believe those helped "get my juices flowing" a bit faster. Staying mentally engaged is also very helpful. Four years after breast cancer, I'm alive, healthy, energetic and more active than ever.
If you became one of those "8 in 10,000" or those "26% who are at greater risk" for breast cancer from HRT, you would think differently about taking the meds. I took them, they helped, but then they scored a home run with breast cancer. No family history, just HRT meds for several years. Don't take HRT meds lightly. Think about what's worse -- menopause or breast cancer. An annual mammogram was just not enough to catch it in time. I'm fine now, BUT every day you wonder if it will come back as it does for so many.
Trust your instincts on HRTs -- not the studies, because we all know how often new studies come out with completely different recommendations. Can you live with the menopausal symptoms? Are there alternatives you can try?
Girlfriend getaways are revitalizing on many levels, including marriage. You get to do things you enjoy that he may not share as an interest. Don't forgo what you love, just enjoy it with your sisters or girlfriends. It stimulates you intellectually, emotionally, creatively and socially. And that's not a bad thing to bring back home to your spouse.
yxtish (anonymous) says...
Chemo brain is very real, but it seems that not everyone I know who's had chemo experiences it in the same way. I had chemo 4 years ago for breast cancer. After the 2nd treatment, chemo brain started to creep in and continued to increase week by week. I'm an educated, active, creative person -- with a bit of ADD thrown in. But for months, I could literally sit for hours staring out the window. Couldn't do math -- the checkbook, other finances. Had a very difficult time figuring out my short term disability payments -- had to call HR several times to ask questions and they were very patient. I struggled to try to stay normal. My oncologist understood -- not sure other folks did. It started to diminish about a month after treatment ended. Probably took a number of months for it to completely go away. But, it finally did.
On 'Chemobrain' just starting to get serious study
September 28, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yxtish (anonymous) says...
It takes a very long time to get back to the energy level you enjoyed before chemo. You'll begin to notice progress after a few months, little by little. I believe it took me more than a year to get all my energy back -- and then some. I was really too weak to exercise early on, but I started getting full body massages from a licensed massage therapist. I believe those helped "get my juices flowing" a bit faster. Staying mentally engaged is also very helpful. Four years after breast cancer, I'm alive, healthy, energetic and more active than ever.
tish
Travels with Tish -- Girlfriends' Getaway Guide
http://girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com
On Becoming active once more following cancer
September 28, 2007 at 9:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yxtish (anonymous) says...
If you became one of those "8 in 10,000" or those "26% who are at greater risk" for breast cancer from HRT, you would think differently about taking the meds. I took them, they helped, but then they scored a home run with breast cancer. No family history, just HRT meds for several years. Don't take HRT meds lightly. Think about what's worse -- menopause or breast cancer. An annual mammogram was just not enough to catch it in time. I'm fine now, BUT every day you wonder if it will come back as it does for so many.
Trust your instincts on HRTs -- not the studies, because we all know how often new studies come out with completely different recommendations. Can you live with the menopausal symptoms? Are there alternatives you can try?
On Is age the key in hormone therapy?
August 6, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yxtish (anonymous) says...
Girlfriend getaways are revitalizing on many levels, including marriage. You get to do things you enjoy that he may not share as an interest. Don't forgo what you love, just enjoy it with your sisters or girlfriends. It stimulates you intellectually, emotionally, creatively and socially. And that's not a bad thing to bring back home to your spouse.
On Glad you’re not here
July 18, 2007 at 4:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )