Breast cancer survivor shares how she approaches her ongoing chemo brain.
BY Barbara Tako
PUBLISHED January 18, 2018
Barbara Tako is a breast cancer survivor (2010), melanoma survivor (2014) and author of Cancer Survivorship Coping Tools–We'll Get You Through This. She is a cancer coping advocate, speaker and published writer for television, radio and other venues across the country. She lives, survives, and thrives in Minnesota with her husband, children and dog. See more at www.cancersurvivorshipcopingtools.com, or www.clutterclearingchoices.com.
Chemo brain. I am glad "experts" now acknowledge that chemo brain is real. I mean, wow. What rational human wouldn't think that using harsh chemicals to kill cancer in our bodies, called chemotherapy, and adding a few steroids to manage side effects, as well as possibly removing hormone-generating organs like ovaries and the uterus, might conclude that these things could create some problems in other organs, like, well, the brain? I have learned that I can't donate a kidney or give blood because of my cancers, too. That said, here are my thoughts and I hope they help you.Acknowledge chemo brain. I know chemotherapy is a good choice in a bad situation. Still, I am just sometimes frustrated because I don't feel like or think like my old self. Did that make sense? My brain doesn't feel as competent as it did before cancer. My communication skills have deteriorated-words come out of my mouth that don't always match the ideas in my head. I forget stuff, sometimes a lot of stuff. I have bruises from banging into things and being clumsy. I experience mental and physical fatigue that wasn't there before. You too?
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