When children go through chemotherapy
for Cancer, besides the numerous side effects that they may
experience, their brain may experience changes as well.
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| Brain after Chemo |
Chemotherapy Effects
Chemotherapy not only affects the body,
but affects the entire brain. Sometimes children may experience
“Chemo Brain” after Chemotherapy. It has been sometimes called
chemo fog. According to livestrong.com chemo fog affects children
more so than adults. Children's cancer is treated more
aggressively with higher dosages of chemo and radiation, because of
higher incidents of brain tumors. They further add they may develop
problems with memory, verbal attention, and confused thinking for
weeks or months. After talking with several adult cancer patients, I
know that this is true.
According to scientist.com chemotherapy
can cause chemo fog in children and cause a rippling effect
throughout their adult life.
Signs of Chemo Brain
Mayo Clinic.com suggests some of the
signs of chemo brain are being unusually disorganized, confusion,
difficulty concentrating, short-term memory problems, feeling of
mental sluggishness and more.
How blueberries reverse chemo brain
Coping With Chemo Brain also known as
(Brain Fog or Chemo Fog)
Several ways to cope with chemo brain
may include making lists, keeping a calendar, leaving reminder
messages, and doing one thing at a time according to caring.com.
These are just a few of the things that they suggest. Might I add
there has been so much emphasis in previous years on multi-tasking that doing one thing
at a time is a total turn around. In talking with other cancer
patients, they have emphasized that the chemo fog may come and go at
various times.
More Help With Chemo Brain
Fredhutch.org suggests several more
things you can do to help fight Chemo Brain. They are as follows:
a. Try brain exercises such as puzzles
or word games.
b. Do physical exercise, but not to
the point of fatigue
c. Ask for help, everyone needs help
at some point in time
d. Work on your strengths.
Strategies for Cognitive Problems
Cancer.net suggests keeping a pad and
pencil with you to jot down notes and eliminate clutter. They further
add that some children may need to learn new ways of learning in
school and utilize special in school reading or math classes that may
be available. Yes there is help for Chemo Brain.
Photo Caption: Morguefile, by Greyerbaby
Source:
Neurological Effects of Chemotherapy on
Young Children by Kat McCallum
After Chemo
Chemo Brain
12 Ways to Cope With
Chemo Brain”
Chemo Brain”
Coping with 'chemo brain'
Attention, Thinking, or Memory Problems
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4 comments:
Thank you for all your research and for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings
Your welcome Terri. After watching Red Band Society on television, I realized those that are not affected by Cancer may sometimes think of it as an adult disease, yet it affects children as well, even small babies.
Thank you for sharing this. My son is undergoing chemotherapy and struggles to concentrate, so this may be why
You are welcome mumjd. Yes chemo affects the brain, but you an help him so much knowing this. Many things he may forget, but you can remember for him especially concerning dates,events, or even doctor appointments.
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