I found an article in today's Wall St. Journal titled "Chemo Brain" May Be Caused By Cancer Itself. I found it interesting as I've noticed some cognitive changes in both of my parent's since being treated for cancer.

Researchers studying the phemomenon of "chemo brain" have learned that a small number of patients suffer memory and cognitive problems that may be caused by cancer itself.
The study from University of Texas - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is the latest evidence showing that complaints by cancer patients of memory and thinking problems are a real concern. Many doctors have dismisssed such complaints as being due to anxiety, age or even menopause.
But while there has been growing evidence that chemotherapy treatment may trigger cognirtive declines or "chemo brain" in both male and female patients, the latest study, released today by the journal of cancerf, shows that the cancer itself may play a role for some patients. Among 84 breast cancer patients studied, 35% showed cognitive impairment prior to treatment, far higher that what would be expected in an average population. Whether the impairment was directly related to the cancer of how cancer might affect cognitive function isn't known.
It's important to note that the study doesn't debunk the notion oc chemo brain. The same researchers found that, regardless of a patient's cognitive scores prior to treatment, 61% declined from that baseline after chemotherapy. And 46% of women were shown to be "false negatives" for chemo brain.. That means they showed a decline in cognitive function but their final test scores still fell into the "normal" range.
As a result, the satest study shows that to truly understand the cognitive impact of both cancer and chemotherapy in an individual patient, it's not enough to teat a patient after treatment. Instead, for patients concerned about such problems, a full neuro-psychological evaluation should be performed before treatment starts.
"Chemo brain" is real, says Christian A. Meyers, professor of neuropsychology at M.D. Anderson and study co-author. "But this study shows you might misattribute poor performance to chemo when it didn't occur, and you might miss a true chemotherapy-related decline when it does occur. That's why looking at people before they start treatment is important."
For most patients, the risk of cognitive problems after chemo isn't significaant enough to turn down treatment. But cognitive testing both before and after treatment can help calm patient fears about dementia or Alzheimer's disease.

Very interesting. I will confess to using the Chemo Brain excuse far longer than reasonable, every time I made a mistake. My brain still seems to work fine as far as rapid math calculations and such, thank goodness, but I very occasionally blank on a name. Friends tell me, honestly I hope, that they do the same, so I am not worried yet. I am going to cut that article out and save it in case I begin to get "funny." Thanks for the information.

Very interesting. I will confess to using the Chemo Brain excuse far longer than reasonable, every time I made a mistake. My brain still seems to work fine as far as rapid math calculations and such, thank goodness, but I very occasionally blank on a name. Friends tell me, honestly I hope, that they do the same, so I am not worried yet. I am going to cut that article out and save it in case I begin to get "funny." Thanks for the information.

D,

I am curious, were the 46% false positive females really blonde?

Now, seriously, you do know that I am 100% joking everybody?

I had a little trouble with reasoning and numbers for a brief period after the 2nd round of chemo and they called it chemo brain. I used to be unbelievable at remembering phone numbers and names. Now I struggle at times with names and I just figure that is how it is now, even though I can remember my phone numbers back to 1962.

Ed

And here I thought it was all behind me, and then I go and make a double post. Maybe I can still use that excuse? I am sure the fact that I am blonde has nothing to do with it, Ed. (Grin).

The women in my support group complained of the same thing. I didn't have chemo, but I complained of many similar issues. Jim even noticed how wacked out I acted.

My personal theory has to do with stress of the situation, coupled with the foreign "stuff" we're putting into our bodies (chemo, radiation, drugs, etc.). I'm used to a lot of stress, but whenever I'm in over my head, I get forgetful, can't concentrate, and act generally out of sorts. I would think others are similar, but I've always been an odd duck.

Quack Quack.

Wow I never heard of this before, maybe this is why I completely forgot to turn the stove off the other day whilst boiling an egg and completely ruined the pan. The people around me have noticed me 'fazing out' a little lately too. The other thing is that I am a very creative person and write alot and recently my vocabularly has gone haywire and my creative skills are becoming redundant.
Thanks for the info.

Warmest thoughts
Sweety

Sweety,
I did the same with a pan of sugar solution for the hummingbird feeder - and sat in the next room without smelling the caramel burning until the house was full of smoke - I'm lucky it did not catch fire. And I did not receive chemo, just radiation.
So I'm with Sabrina - I think it is either the stress or else just me - no, it's not the first pot that I have ruined.
Leena

Well Everyone
I'm not blonde, I'm a "funny" age for a woman.. I don't burn pans, but I crash computers.. now the big question here is it the cancer.. actually that would be good...OR is it the red wine.. now if it's the wine tough.. I'm just going to have to back up the computer this time..
:rolleyes:
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen