HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

chicagoetc · 03-05-2009, 06:51 PM

This may or may not be helpful...my "chemo brain" [from Taxol or Herceptin or a combination of such] was bothersome enough that my oncologist sent me to a neurologist (oncology neurologist?) who referred me for Neuropsych Testing. There was impairment. Solutions were geared towards "symptom reduction" and included "Cognitive Remediation" [or something like that by Speech Therapists] and pharmacology. I think things are better now...but am still clumsy, forgetful, have trouble tracking conversations, other limitations that I don't generally share. The rehab was helpful in that it provided different ways of organizing things as well as ways to do cognitive exercises that increased stamina. Functionally I do pretty well. But it's definitely different than before. [Then again, what isn't different after being diagnosed with cancer?]

Melanie

03-05-2009, 06:51 PM	#9
chicagoetc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Chicago Posts: 196	This may or may not be helpful...my "chemo brain" [from Taxol or Herceptin or a combination of such] was bothersome enough that my oncologist sent me to a neurologist (oncology neurologist?) who referred me for Neuropsych Testing. There was impairment. Solutions were geared towards "symptom reduction" and included "Cognitive Remediation" [or something like that by Speech Therapists] and pharmacology. I think things are better now...but am still clumsy, forgetful, have trouble tracking conversations, other limitations that I don't generally share. The rehab was helpful in that it provided different ways of organizing things as well as ways to do cognitive exercises that increased stamina. Functionally I do pretty well. But it's definitely different than before. [Then again, what isn't different after being diagnosed with cancer?] Melanie __________________ Diagnosed: 7/13/07 (or 7/7/07) Surgery: 8/15/07 Modified Radical One Side with Lymph Node Dissection Pathology Report: ER/PR-, HER2+ with FISH at 8.4 copies, Grade 3, Stage IIIa, 3.2 cm tumor plus 4/19 positive lymph nodes Portacath: 9/7/07 Chemo: 9/14/07 with AC (every three weeks) for four rounds Physical Therapy for ROM Loss / "Cording" (but not Lymphodema) Taxol + Herceptin weekly (started 12/2007 with 8 of 12 Taxol) Radiation: (28 rads from 3/07 to 4/07) Reconstruction (silicone implant) Herceptin done (10/08) Cognitive Remediation (11/08 - 12/08) Lymphedema Diagnosed 5/10/10 (almost 3 years post cancer diagnosis) Lymphedema Rehab 9/10/10 - 11/10/10 Six years NED...7/7/2013!