Chemotherapy and Alzheimer's
 

Just watched the Larry King Special (Yes, he 'was retired' from Larry King Live) on Alzheimer's Disease. Looked up the web and found this article by Dr. Silverman, a name many of us have learned from Idelle:

http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/20...icit-disorder/


Then I went to their website: Your Brain after Chemo http://yourbrainafterchemo.blogspot....reast%20Cancer
and found more valuable information.

Ordered a used copy from Amazon.com and I'm looking forward to 'revamping' my cognitive ability. :)

Re: Chemotherapy and Alzheimer's
 

Really enjoyed reading the book written by Idelle (Davidson) about chemobrain. Your Brain after Chemo: a practical guide to lifting the fog and getting back your focus is comprehensive and easy to read. I like the gentle, smooth way Idelle presents the hard facts and the useful strategies.

Having had two full doses of chemo in 2003 and 2007, I can attest that 'chemobrain' is a 'fact'. The neuropsychologist who tested me in 2008 and 2009 listed my chemotherapy as one of the factors (besides my two brain surgeries in 1990 and 2001)of my 'cognitive decline'.

Fortunately I've been pretty much following the strategies suggested in the book. A lot of the things mentioned in the book have been discussed on the Her2support Board. However, it is really nice to have something easy to read on hand. Had a chuckle at the guideline quoted from American Journal of Medicine (by Dr. Joe Alpert) which put 'inherit good genes' at the top of the list. And how true is the last step of the '9 daily steps you can start today': "Avoid Doctors, Drugs, and Hospitals!" It does come with a qualification: "If you urgently need medical care or if you are in treatment for cancer, the advice does not apply to you."

There is one correction needed on the formula of the pulse rate (page 165) to make it mathematically accurate. Though the example clarifies how the formula works, there should be parentheses before the multiplication function:

" (220 - your age) x .85

(For example, for a sixty-year-old, 85 percent
of 160 equals 136)"

Order a copy 'now' before it 'slips your mind'. :)

Re: Chemotherapy and Alzheimer's
 

Hi Jackie,

Thanks so much for your kind words about our book, "Your Brain After Chemo." We've been very fortunate as our book has been well reviewed and the positive feedback I've received from readers has made me happier than I can tell you.

Now, about your catching that "goof" with the missing parentheses, I'll be sure to let the publisher know to fix it before the next printing. I never noticed it (but in my own defense, I'm terrible at math (-:).

What I did notice though from your post is your impressive attention to detail in noticing the missing parentheses -- a decidedly unchemo-brainish thing to do!

Thanks again, Jackie. I appreciate all that you do on this forum. I've benefited a lot from your many helpful posts.

Re: Chemotherapy and Alzheimer's
 

Ya know, Jackie, I must agree with Idelle. You ARE as sharp as the proverbial tack!

Re: Chemotherapy and Alzheimer's
 

Chemotherapy and cognitive function:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21600374

Re: Chemotherapy and Alzheimer's
 

Jackie, thank you for this link. I'm going to start a new thread to discuss it. Look for: "State of the Research on Chemo Brain."

Idelle