“Chemo brain”?

Discussion Board Forums Chemotherapy & More “Chemo brain”?

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #70457
    jeeyoung
    Member

    Marion, Lainey and Gavin,

    Thank you very much for your responses. All of her blood tests have shown that her white blood cell counts are in the good range to continue with her Chemo. She has been getting her blood test done right before she is scheduled for Chemo on Fridays. So her last blood test was done on Friday 03/29 and will have one done this Friday 4/5 prior to her scheduled Chemo.

    My stepfather asked her Oncologist about CA 19-9 and was told that it is a little too premature but she will have that done in the near future treatments.

    Lainy,
    She has tried Ensure for last couple of months but under Chemo, she is intolerant toward sweet taste… and her preference is keep changing. At least she has will to fight this… she just have to eat more.

    Thank you all and I will keep you posted on my mom’s progress.

    Jeeyoung

    #70456
    marions
    Moderator

    Jeejong….have all the blood tests shown to be alright? And, when was it taken last?
    Hugs,
    Marion

    #70455
    lainy
    Spectator

    Dear Jeeyoung, oh I know too well that there are no words to describe what some of us as Caretakers have to watch our loved ones go through and that is why I always tell them to be strong! Some patients who have it are not as sick as others but even they cannot escape from some “crappy” stuff. Bless your Mom she is a strong lady to take what she has taken. Teddy had a small drop in appetite and boy did his preferences keep changing. Before CC you could give him anything chocolate and after his Whipple he didn’t even want to smell it. Has Mom tried any nutritional drinks, hey do work well if she can find one she tolerates. Wishing hr well on her next round of Chemo and plese keep us posted, we care. Also take care of yourself and be strong.

    #70454
    gavin
    Moderator

    Hi Jeeyoung,

    Sorry to hear about your mum. I can’t help either with personal experiences of chemo side effects as my dad never had it, but it does sound like your mum is having some side effects that others have experienced and written about. I did a quick search of chemo brain for you and came up with this –

    http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/punbb/search.php?search_id=856919361

    Hope something in there will be of help and use to you.

    There is also a webinar on the site about chemotherapy from 2011 and that may also be of interest to you. It can be found here –

    http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/media.htm

    Here is a link as well that may be of use about chemo and eating etc and hopefully some of that will also be of use to your mum.

    http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Livingwithandaftercancer/Eatingwell/Eatingproblems/Treatments.aspx#DynamicJumpMenuManager_6_Anchor_3

    Try and stay strong Jeeyoung and remember that we are here for you. I hope that these side effects start to wear off for your mum.

    My best wishes to you and your mum,

    Gavin

    #70453
    jeeyoung
    Member

    Lainy,
    I’m learning to use the word ‘ok’ loosely.. lately. She is handling the chemo as well as she can. She is experiencing all the side effects of Chemo but the most challenging part is her food intake. It is still very hard due to her sensitivities to smell, texture, lack of appetite, etc. Her ONC has given her some type of appetite stimulant that comes in a droplet form. He told her that give it a week or so, her appetite may increase.
    She is still doing her weekly Chemo after a week break between 3rd and 4th rounds. She is scheduled to have her 5th one this Friday. She is still on Gemzar, and her white blood cell count is good enough to continue.
    I do have to say that it is heartbreaking to watch her mind and body deteriorate through this disease and treatment…

    #70452
    lainy
    Spectator

    Hi Jeeyoung, I don’t know enough about Chemo side effects since Teddy never had it but I know that some of our genius’s will be along to give you an answer. Other than the Memory loss is Mom doing OK with the Chemo?

    #8172
    jeeyoung
    Member

    I would like to ask anyone who has had experience with any cognitive dysfunction such as memory loss, etc. to share their story. I’m concerned about my mom who has had 4 rounds of chemo and seems to be losing her memory (even simple day to day routines) rapidly. Is this common? but more seriously, would these symptoms go away after her treatment is done?

    Thank you and I would really appreciate your feedback.

    Jeeyoung

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • The forum ‘Chemotherapy & More’ is closed to new topics and replies.