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Life after cancer-chemo brain is gone and I can still drive!
Thu, 05/20/2010 - 12:49pm
Background; I am an occupational therapist who has specialized in driving rehab. I WILL talk about that, but not right now. I felt that I should address the battle with cancer that so many people are engaged in. I am a 3-time survivor of breast cancer, the last occurrence being almost 10 years ago. In that time I have leared a few things that I would like to share. What triggered this is a lengthy conversation that I had with my 32-year-old niece who is currently undergoing treatment. My older sister did not survive; my younger sister has not been touched. My niece is her daughter.
Cancer is a dreadful disease, but it is not necessarily a death sentence. I believe that attitude plays a huge part in the treatment and recovery process. After the initial shock of the diagnosis, it is imperative to take control of the treatment process and advocate for yourself. I don't know what is the right or wrong treatment; everyone must decide for themselves after thoroughly researching the options. Do not be railroaded into a treatment that you do not believe in. And ALWAYS believe in the end result; wellness.
In the 18 years since my first diagnosis, I have seen remarkable improvements in the treatment options and the treatment delivery. Because of our family history, my niece decided on a prophylactic mastectomy on the non-affected side as well as the one where she was diagnosed. We talked about reconstruction at great length. Her attitude: she said that she was wanting a boob job anyway so she was good with this.
Our discussion today centered on a new drug that she could elect to take which MIGHT help to maintain the elasticity of the skin to make reconstruction more viable. The primary side effect is nausea, for which she could take some of the same anti-nausea meds she took during chemo. She said that her plastic surgeon had already decided to do a LD procedure on her so the elasticity will probably not be an issue. So she asked my opinion about whether to take it or not. Further discussion revealed that it MAY help decrease scarring of the shoulder and lungs as well.
She had already made her decision, but really wanted to validate that decision. Whether I said yes or no does not matter as much as the discussion. It is the information gathering and the making of a decision THAT is RIGHT FOR YOU based on what you learn that is important.
Karen
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Karen Richardson, OTR/CDRS
Registered Occupational Therapist, Certified Driving Rehabilitation SpecialistFind all the topics I've contributed here at Lumigrate at http://www.lumigrate.com/forums/integrative-medicine-parts-m... We encourage questions and comments, just use the Contact Us here at Lumigrate.com!
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e-mailThis forum is provided to allow members of Lumigrate to share information and ideas. Any recommendations made by forum members regarding medical treatments, medications, or procedures are not endorsed by Lumigrate or practitioners who serve as Lumigrate's medical experts.
It was on the news tonight (Brian Williams/ABC) from a conference where a medical researcher had studied and presents the visual evidence found to 'prove' that chemo brain exists. Chemotherapy sets up very specific changes in areas of the brain that have to do with planning of your time, your thoughts/words, and etc. They basically said how helpful it is to patients to be able to show them visually what goes on in the brain based on the study's scans.
So for those who have symptoms that medical researchers have not yet found a way to 'prove', perhaps think about how much it matters that YOU (and those around you) see the 'obvious' and that's as good as it gets -- for now, in 'proving things'.
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! Mardy
Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! is my motto. I'm Mardy Ross, and I founded Lumigrate in 2008 after a career as an occupational therapist with a background in health education and environmental research program administration. Today I function as the desk clerk for short questions people have, as well as 'concierge' services offered for those who want a thorough exploration of their health history and direction to resources likely to progress their health according to their goals. Contact Us comes to me, so please do if you have questions or comments. Lumigrate is "Lighting the Path to Health and Well-Being" for increasing numbers of people. Follow us on social networking sites such as: Twitter: http://twitter.com/lumigrate and Facebook. (There is my personal page and several Lumigrate pages. For those interested in "groovy" local education and networking for those uniquely talented LumiGRATE experts located in my own back yard, "LumiGRATE Groove of the Grand Valley" is a Facebook page to join. (Many who have joined are beyond our area but like to see the Groovy information! We not only have FUN, we are learning about other providers we can be referring patients to and 'wearing a groove' to each other's doors -- or websites/home offices!) By covering some of the things we do, including case examples, it reinforces the concepts at Lumigrate.com as well as making YOU feel that you're part of a community. Which you ARE at Lumigrate!