|
Re: brain changes associated w chemo induced cognitive dysfunction identified
I had some issues during and after chemo. I still have trouble finding words occasionally. However, I have had no problems with creativity (in fact I painted more and designed more items after chemo than I did before) and I teach biology courses at a community college (started teaching full time in 2009). Years ago I took Reglan and I think it affected my (creative) writing more than chemo did. I do believe that teaching has helped with cognition. If anything really affected me, though, it was the Arimidex. I felt so much better when I refused to take it any longer, both physically and mentally. I don't feel exceptional. Maybe I've been lucky. I don't have the energy levels that I used to. I was the energizer bunny. But I'm still in the running.
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
|