last post for while

LaCh

this will be my last post for a while.... I got this from a google search

NaturalNews) A widely used chemotherapy drug causes damage to the brain that can last for years after treatment is completed, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Rochester and published in the Journal of Biology.

"It is clear that, in some patients, chemotherapy appears to trigger a degenerative condition in the central nervous system," lead researcher Mark Noble said.

The findings may help explain why many chemotherapy patients complain of a condition called "chemo brain," suffering impaired concentration, memory loss, and even vision problems, dementia or seizures. According to a previous study by the same research team, more than 82 percent of breast cancer patients report at least one negative cognitive side effect from chemotherapy.

A different study found that 50 percent of breast cancer survivors still felt cognitively impaired one year after the end of chemotherapy, while another estimated that the effects last for years in 15 to 20 percent of women.

Many health professionals have dismissed these symptoms as side effects of cancer-related anxiety, depression or fatigue, saying there is no evidence for physical causes.  [my comment: the old "it's all in your head," routine]

In the current study, researchers gave the drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to mice and observed the effects on their brains. They found that 5-FU attacked cells in the brain known as oligodendrocytes, destroying them so thoroughly that even six months after the end of treatment, the mice's brains were almost devoid of the cells.

Oligodendrocytes are responsible for producing the protective myelin sheath that keeps nerve signals traveling smoothly. The degeneration of this sheath is associated with a variety of neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.

5-FU is a common component of chemotherapy cocktails used to treat bladder, breast, colon, ovarian, stomach and pancreatic cancer.

Another study by Noble's team found that three widely used chemotherapy drugs actually do more damage to the brain than the cancers they are being used to treat.  [italics mine]

Sources for this story include: news.bbc.co.uk.

eihtak

LaCh......

Very interesting and thought provoking, thankyou!

Talk to you next time you post on a "whim"....... until then, be well!!

Marynb

Lach
Thanks for the information. I am happy to be alive!!! Thank God there was a treatment to save me from a painful death from this cancer! It isn't perfect yet, but it is working! Thank God!!!!
I was told about possible side effects, and I was more than willing to accept the risk! It was a beautiful sunny day in New England today, the leaves are changing colors, and I am alive! Yay.

mp327

Marynb said:

Lach
Thanks for the information. I am happy to be alive!!! Thank God there was a treatment to save me from a painful death from this cancer! It isn't perfect yet, but it is working! Thank God!!!!
I was told about possible side effects, and I was more than willing to accept the risk! It was a beautiful sunny day in New England today, the leaves are changing colors, and I am alive! Yay.

Marynb

I agree with you.  There are always risks with medical treatments or surgeries.  I would rather deal with some chemobrain if the trade off is being alive, enjoying my life, and appreciating such things as the beautiful fall colors.  It's truly the simple things in life that I most treasure now.  I ran a 5k race today and had my worst time ever, but I was so happy just to be here to do such a thing.  Many people never get the chance to do things such as that or whatever makes them happy. 

Marynb

mp327 said:

Marynb

I agree with you.  There are always risks with medical treatments or surgeries.  I would rather deal with some chemobrain if the trade off is being alive, enjoying my life, and appreciating such things as the beautiful fall colors.  It's truly the simple things in life that I most treasure now.  I ran a 5k race today and had my worst time ever, but I was so happy just to be here to do such a thing.  Many people never get the chance to do things such as that or whatever makes them happy. 

5k
Martha, I am so impressed that you are out there running! That is terrific and inspiring!!

mp327

Marynb said:

5k
Martha, I am so impressed that you are out there running! That is terrific and inspiring!!

Marynb

Thank you!  I am still giving it my best shot, although I think my best isn't what it used to be!  No big deal though.  Like I said, I'm just glad I am still able to do it.  Thanks again!

sandysp

Very informative for me

The SSNHL or Sudden sensineuroal hearing loss I suffered may have been caused by deteriation of the myelin sheath. I read that in one of the studies on it. I am still deaf profoundly in the left ear. My last check up showed no change. I am still dizzy when leaning my head to the left and back (say as to turn out the lamp on my night stand). I cannot walk a straight line.

The neuro otologist said he can fix the balance and vertigo issues remaining successfully with some Physical Therapy and they are going to do a Baha Implant by putting a small titanium rod in my skull and conducting the sound from my excellent right ear to my left.

I have short term memory lapses so I am truly suffering from chemo brain, but it is supposed to get better with time.

At least the horrible pain I had been in for years is gone. Anal Cancer at "6:30" particularly where it puts pressure on the nerves in the sacroilliac is horribly painful. I would rather be suffering these horrid myelin sheath issues than have the cancer pain back.It seems with every action there is something gained and something sacrificed. Especially since now I will be able to get my hearing back in my ear, it was truly worth it.

I am seeing a terrific Psychiatrist at Sloan Kettering, since the hearing loss is so annoying I called for help. Now I am finding that the sessions I am getting there are the best therapy I have ever had and the medication is probably medication I would have been better off with years ago. I don't think I would do very well deaf in both ears though and pray that the good ear stays good.

Sincerely,

Sandy

Marynb

sandysp said:

Very informative for me

The SSNHL or Sudden sensineuroal hearing loss I suffered may have been caused by deteriation of the myelin sheath. I read that in one of the studies on it. I am still deaf profoundly in the left ear. My last check up showed no change. I am still dizzy when leaning my head to the left and back (say as to turn out the lamp on my night stand). I cannot walk a straight line.

The neuro otologist said he can fix the balance and vertigo issues remaining successfully with some Physical Therapy and they are going to do a Baha Implant by putting a small titanium rod in my skull and conducting the sound from my excellent right ear to my left.

I have short term memory lapses so I am truly suffering from chemo brain, but it is supposed to get better with time.

At least the horrible pain I had been in for years is gone. Anal Cancer at "6:30" particularly where it puts pressure on the nerves in the sacroilliac is horribly painful. I would rather be suffering these horrid myelin sheath issues than have the cancer pain back.It seems with every action there is something gained and something sacrificed. Especially since now I will be able to get my hearing back in my ear, it was truly worth it.

I am seeing a terrific Psychiatrist at Sloan Kettering, since the hearing loss is so annoying I called for help. Now I am finding that the sessions I am getting there are the best therapy I have ever had and the medication is probably medication I would have been better off with years ago. I don't think I would do very well deaf in both ears though and pray that the good ear stays good.

Sincerely,

Sandy

Sandy
I hope that the doctors can help you with the hearing loss. God bless you, you sure are a trooper and have been through so much! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the forum you went to. I have read that for most patients, chemo brain improves with time. I sure hope so! I will say that having chemo brain has made me a much more humble person, which is not a bad thing!

Hang in there!

pializ

Marynb said:

Sandy
I hope that the doctors can help you with the hearing loss. God bless you, you sure are a trooper and have been through so much! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the forum you went to. I have read that for most patients, chemo brain improves with time. I sure hope so! I will say that having chemo brain has made me a much more humble person, which is not a bad thing!

Hang in there!

SSNHL

Sandy I do hope the Baha thingy works for you & glad the psychiatrist is helpful.

Although I have SSNHL, it preceded my diagnosis of anal cancer by 2 years, so definitely not chemo related. I am fortunate. I recovered some hearing, the high tones. So still compromised, but I have learned to cope with it over time.

I hope you are still enjoying your singing

Liz

Lorikat

LaCh..

I, for one, will miss your quirkiness, your thought provoking discussions.  I would love to have a debate with you over nearly any subject!  You think quick and don't seem to mind saying what you think!  now, realize I just love a good debate and am willing to argue either side....   I guess I'm quirky as well!  Please enjoy your life and as you walk around NY think "I bet Lorikat would love to see this"!  And I would.  Peace and goodwill....  Lorikat, in the desert, with no trees turning!

LaCh

Lorikat said:

LaCh..

I, for one, will miss your quirkiness, your thought provoking discussions.  I would love to have a debate with you over nearly any subject!  You think quick and don't seem to mind saying what you think!  now, realize I just love a good debate and am willing to argue either side....   I guess I'm quirky as well!  Please enjoy your life and as you walk around NY think "I bet Lorikat would love to see this"!  And I would.  Peace and goodwill....  Lorikat, in the desert, with no trees turning!

debate

I appreciate the sentiment but don't like to debate. As a matter of fact, I avoid it. I want peace, that's all that I want. Debate isn't the way (for me) to find it, it's the for me to lose it (and lose it refers to "my peace" and my reaction, so really, no one wants that).  I avoid topics like religion and politics and ....  well, pretty much everything ...  I just want peace and in any case, I have zero interest in convincing anyone of anything. Everybody gets to have their own opinion and no one is required to defend it (not to me at least) and I have no interest in defending mine. You'll never get a debate over anything out of me; I just walk away.  For my peace of mind.

Lorikat

LaCh said:

debate

I appreciate the sentiment but don't like to debate. As a matter of fact, I avoid it. I want peace, that's all that I want. Debate isn't the way (for me) to find it, it's the for me to lose it (and lose it refers to "my peace" and my reaction, so really, no one wants that).  I avoid topics like religion and politics and ....  well, pretty much everything ...  I just want peace and in any case, I have zero interest in convincing anyone of anything. Everybody gets to have their own opinion and no one is required to defend it (not to me at least) and I have no interest in defending mine. You'll never get a debate over anything out of me; I just walk away.  For my peace of mind.

Good for you!
 

Good for you!

 

Lorikat

LaCh said:

debate

I appreciate the sentiment but don't like to debate. As a matter of fact, I avoid it. I want peace, that's all that I want. Debate isn't the way (for me) to find it, it's the for me to lose it (and lose it refers to "my peace" and my reaction, so really, no one wants that).  I avoid topics like religion and politics and ....  well, pretty much everything ...  I just want peace and in any case, I have zero interest in convincing anyone of anything. Everybody gets to have their own opinion and no one is required to defend it (not to me at least) and I have no interest in defending mine. You'll never get a debate over anything out of me; I just walk away.  For my peace of mind.

Good for you!
 

Good for you!

 

LaCh

Lorikat said:

Good for you!
 

Good for you!

 

¿ ?

ummm....  huh?

sandysp

pializ said:

SSNHL

Sandy I do hope the Baha thingy works for you & glad the psychiatrist is helpful.

Although I have SSNHL, it preceded my diagnosis of anal cancer by 2 years, so definitely not chemo related. I am fortunate. I recovered some hearing, the high tones. So still compromised, but I have learned to cope with it over time.

I hope you are still enjoying your singing

Liz

Thanks Liz

SSNHL is mostly idiopathic. But for some reason I really want to know what caused it and keep looking for a place to pin the cause. I did not recover any hearing and that is why the Baha implant is right for me. I feel really grateful. Great strides are being made in the hearing loss field. It seems like every six months, major advances are made. I am not looking to having a titanium rod placed in my skull but I like being able to hear the ambulance sirens. With your high hearing still in tact, you are not a danger to yourself and others like I am. I almost hit one a couple of weeks ago.

I am enjoying my singing. Sometimes a handicap can work to your advantage. Not having the use of my left ear sort of freed me from what I guess was "over listening" to myself instead of trusting. My coach has fussed with me about this for years but only now do I understand what this trusting thing is. My sound is so distant singing now with only one ear to hear it, I have had to trust my body much more to do what is right for the music.

I will be able to control the Baha with an app in my phone so I can turn it down or off if I desire. Who knows. I may wind up doing that! ha, ha!

Thanks for your post. It helped me a lot. Conjecture is all the myelin sheath hypothesis was.

Sincerely,

Sandy

 

Lorikat

LaCh said:

¿ ?

ummm....  huh?

That you know and tend to

That you know and tend to what gives you peace of mind.  A good debate (with people who don't get angry) really is good for me!  Left over from growing p I suppose?  My son and I often get into debates, switch sides in the middle and end up laughing our selves silly!  I enjoy strong minds.  It isn't as easy with this darn Chemo brain, but oh well!  Now I DONT like to argue!  I DONT like anger!  

We all have to find our own way...  I have told my kids that I have a nice floe reserved in Alaska for when I have had too much.  Just lay down and go to sleep!  You see, I don't want to do this again either!  Hugs. for real, Lorikat

 

 

LaCh

Lorikat said:

That you know and tend to

That you know and tend to what gives you peace of mind.  A good debate (with people who don't get angry) really is good for me!  Left over from growing p I suppose?  My son and I often get into debates, switch sides in the middle and end up laughing our selves silly!  I enjoy strong minds.  It isn't as easy with this darn Chemo brain, but oh well!  Now I DONT like to argue!  I DONT like anger!  

We all have to find our own way...  I have told my kids that I have a nice floe reserved in Alaska for when I have had too much.  Just lay down and go to sleep!  You see, I don't want to do this again either!  Hugs. for real, Lorikat

 

 

well, this is my take

on debate.  It starts from a place of contest, of contention, of confrontation, of one side (or point of view) pitted against another. It takes two sides of an argument and requires that each is defended by someone, and by definition, that's a contentious undertaking. Some people are energized by it. Some people are sapped of their energy. I'm the latter. My take about debate, whether natural and spontaneous, or planned and contrived, is that everybody is entitled to his or her opinion and I have no desire to separate anyone from it. As if I even could. In addition, it's been my observation that debate, all debate, involves two parties talking at cross purposes. There's no listening, there's just talking, there's verbal swordplay and when a point is scored (or is perceived to be scored) the touché has nothing to do with imparting information or expanding an idea or illuminating a cloudy concept but with winning. My take is, there's enough conflict in the world without seeking or creating more.  It gives me agita. The entire thing gives me agita. It's also been my observation that it's only the rare occasion and the exception that anyone wants to hear anyone else's opinion, mine or anyone else's, not really, but want only to express his or her own. (Which makes this entire post a little curious, since it's about nothing but my opinion about debate). They can't wait till the other person stops talking so that they can start (if they wait that long). So, no, debate isn't for me. I'm more of a live and let live kind of person, and in any case, I just don't have the energy or desire or motivation to debate. You can believe that little green men are hatching from pods in the desert and populating major American cities and it's all ok with me. Why? Why not?  And because of my last and final point about debate. I come from a place of doubt. About everything. To quote Anthony Bourdain, "Certainty is my enemy." My feeling about things is "What do I know?" And that doesn't make for a good position from which to debate anything. As for your comment about knowing what gives me peace of mind, I can't imagine that that's so rare. Ask anyone, "how does such-and-such make you feel," and they'll usually tell you. Because they usually know. So that's my (expanded )  take on debate. It's just not for me. I'd rather sit in the sun and contemplate my navel.

Lorikat

LaCh said:

well, this is my take

on debate.  It starts from a place of contest, of contention, of confrontation, of one side (or point of view) pitted against another. It takes two sides of an argument and requires that each is defended by someone, and by definition, that's a contentious undertaking. Some people are energized by it. Some people are sapped of their energy. I'm the latter. My take about debate, whether natural and spontaneous, or planned and contrived, is that everybody is entitled to his or her opinion and I have no desire to separate anyone from it. As if I even could. In addition, it's been my observation that debate, all debate, involves two parties talking at cross purposes. There's no listening, there's just talking, there's verbal swordplay and when a point is scored (or is perceived to be scored) the touché has nothing to do with imparting information or expanding an idea or illuminating a cloudy concept but with winning. My take is, there's enough conflict in the world without seeking or creating more.  It gives me agita. The entire thing gives me agita. It's also been my observation that it's only the rare occasion and the exception that anyone wants to hear anyone else's opinion, mine or anyone else's, not really, but want only to express his or her own. (Which makes this entire post a little curious, since it's about nothing but my opinion about debate). They can't wait till the other person stops talking so that they can start (if they wait that long). So, no, debate isn't for me. I'm more of a live and let live kind of person, and in any case, I just don't have the energy or desire or motivation to debate. You can believe that little green men are hatching from pods in the desert and populating major American cities and it's all ok with me. Why? Why not?  And because of my last and final point about debate. I come from a place of doubt. About everything. To quote Anthony Bourdain, "Certainty is my enemy." My feeling about things is "What do I know?" And that doesn't make for a good position from which to debate anything. As for your comment about knowing what gives me peace of mind, I can't imagine that that's so rare. Ask anyone, "how does such-and-such make you feel," and they'll usually tell you. Because they usually know. So that's my (expanded )  take on debate. It's just not for me. I'd rather sit in the sun and contemplate my navel.

And that's ok With me!

And that's ok With me!  Different strokes and all that!  I also enjoy quiet time on the purgala with a glass of ice time, looking at the mountains and thinking.....  Or reading.... Or just feeling.. or "contemplating my naval" as you said....  

My answer to how are you doing is always 'fine'.  I do NOT talk cancer to anyone other than here...  

 

Marynb

LaCh said:

well, this is my take

on debate.  It starts from a place of contest, of contention, of confrontation, of one side (or point of view) pitted against another. It takes two sides of an argument and requires that each is defended by someone, and by definition, that's a contentious undertaking. Some people are energized by it. Some people are sapped of their energy. I'm the latter. My take about debate, whether natural and spontaneous, or planned and contrived, is that everybody is entitled to his or her opinion and I have no desire to separate anyone from it. As if I even could. In addition, it's been my observation that debate, all debate, involves two parties talking at cross purposes. There's no listening, there's just talking, there's verbal swordplay and when a point is scored (or is perceived to be scored) the touché has nothing to do with imparting information or expanding an idea or illuminating a cloudy concept but with winning. My take is, there's enough conflict in the world without seeking or creating more.  It gives me agita. The entire thing gives me agita. It's also been my observation that it's only the rare occasion and the exception that anyone wants to hear anyone else's opinion, mine or anyone else's, not really, but want only to express his or her own. (Which makes this entire post a little curious, since it's about nothing but my opinion about debate). They can't wait till the other person stops talking so that they can start (if they wait that long). So, no, debate isn't for me. I'm more of a live and let live kind of person, and in any case, I just don't have the energy or desire or motivation to debate. You can believe that little green men are hatching from pods in the desert and populating major American cities and it's all ok with me. Why? Why not?  And because of my last and final point about debate. I come from a place of doubt. About everything. To quote Anthony Bourdain, "Certainty is my enemy." My feeling about things is "What do I know?" And that doesn't make for a good position from which to debate anything. As for your comment about knowing what gives me peace of mind, I can't imagine that that's so rare. Ask anyone, "how does such-and-such make you feel," and they'll usually tell you. Because they usually know. So that's my (expanded )  take on debate. It's just not for me. I'd rather sit in the sun and contemplate my navel.

Debate
I just want to say that debate can be a great way to learn, to come to consensus and a deeper understanding of an issue. When I hear that a person cannot debate an issue, i take it to mean that that person is not willing to listen to another side of an issue, not willing to learn,and not willing to come to a compromise. That is what is going on in D.C. this week. Real debate would have been a lot better than what we have now.

In my mind debate is rational, not emotional. Without debate, governments do not function, courtrooms cannot administer justice, and ideas do not get shared and shaped by a common understanding.

LaCh

Marynb said:

Debate
I just want to say that debate can be a great way to learn, to come to consensus and a deeper understanding of an issue. When I hear that a person cannot debate an issue, i take it to mean that that person is not willing to listen to another side of an issue, not willing to learn,and not willing to come to a compromise. That is what is going on in D.C. this week. Real debate would have been a lot better than what we have now.

In my mind debate is rational, not emotional. Without debate, governments do not function, courtrooms cannot administer justice, and ideas do not get shared and shaped by a common understanding.

when I want

to be heard, I have a discussion. When I want to argue, I have a debate.  This topic is starting to give me a headache.  Since my interest in pursuing it further has been exhausted, I leave it to others to discuss or debate the merits of both, but for my part, I think I'll call this one a wrap. 

mp327

LaCh said:

when I want

to be heard, I have a discussion. When I want to argue, I have a debate.  This topic is starting to give me a headache.  Since my interest in pursuing it further has been exhausted, I leave it to others to discuss or debate the merits of both, but for my part, I think I'll call this one a wrap. 

Topic

I've chosen to stay out of this evolved discussion, as I really don't see how it has anything to do with supporting people who have cancer.  It may have begun that way, but has morphed into something totally different.  New people who come to this site are looking for support and information to help them get through cancer treatment.  I'd like to think we can do that.