Your Brain after Chemo: A Practical Guide to Lifting the Fog and Getting Back Your Focus

by Daniel Silverman, Idelle Davidson

Chemotherapy saves lives, but new studies—including research led by coauthor Dr. Dan Silverman—reveal that the agents used to kill cancer cells may also impair normal brain function. Even years after treatment, patients report problems with memory, concentrating, multitasking, and word retrieval. As one person put it, “I’ve lost my edge.” If you’ve undergone chemotherapy, perhaps you’re among those who’ve had trouble following the thread of a conversation or feel “less than” who you once were. Until recently, oncologists often discounted or trivialized “chemo brain.” Now, argue Silverman and Idelle Davidson, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary; thankfully, you can rest assured that you’re not alone in feeling this way—and that you can do something about it. Calling on cutting-edge scientific research and the inspiring stories of survivors (including Davidson’s own experiences with chemotherapy and its effects), this groundbreaking book will forever change how you think about your brain after chemo. Perhaps most important, it offers much-needed strategies to improve memory and focus, and an invaluable nine-step program to help keep your brain sharp. Your Brain after Chemo gives you the coping skills to move on with your life.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Medical, Health

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 6, 2009

Reviews

[Sarah Pierce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book as much as I expected-- although I have experienced some of the unpleasantness of chemo brain, I thought the book was too focused on the worst parts of chemo and not enough on how to deal with chemo brain when necessary. Since none of the readers will have a choice whether or not they experience this side effect, I would rather learn how to minimize its effects.

On the flip side, I did enjoy the detail that Silverman went into regarding the different brain systems involved.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was an excellent book. I heard about it from a friend who has been through plenty, plenty chemotherapy (but evidently chemo brain has caused her to forget to review it here, hahahaha) and was surprised to find it, a very specific seeming book by American authors, on the shelves of my small town English public library.

So, I don't have cancer and I wasn't particularly reading it to support anyone who has or has had cancer (sorry!) But this book felt like coming home. I do have a chronic illness which causes 'brain fog' and I could very much relate to the cancer survivors perception of their altered brain function as one of the most frustrating, disturbing and poorly understood consequences of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. It did not trouble me that there was a definite emphasis on breast cancer - there are sound, inevitable reasons for this, clearly explained in the author's notes at the back, and whilst I am aware that many people experiencing a problem want everything pinning down to 'someone just like me' (sorry, that's not going to happen, there's only one of you), it really wasn't hard for me to generalise... even beyond cancer. Nor did I find that the American authorship reduced its relevance to someone living with a different health care system (and it is quite rare for me to feel that)

The themes in the book are "Yes, chemotherapy really can cause cognitive dysfunction which may or may not be permanent" "There are other factors in who experiences cognitively related psychological difficulties besides chemotherapy - previous function, depression, additional therapies""Here's a bunch of stuff you can use to cope and possibly recover" I really liked the language used and the balance between description of research and person experiences. Most of the "what to do now" is not new to me but it is expressed in a way which means it feels worth taking notes.

What I did find difficult in reading the book was reading details of animal experimentation, some of which was very grim and distressing.

[Mary Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The latest research on cognitive impairments from chemo and strategies to adapt to "the thing". The first section of the book was depressing but the end sections were hopeful. The resource list is impressive and helpful. I will use the strategies. It is amazing that I already use a number of the strategies to function better. Worth the time to read. It also is a quick read and interesting.

[Denise Messenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! If you have undergone chemotherapy and feel like you have lost your mind...this explains it all. A very much needed book because you won't hear it from an Oncologist...they typically do not believe that most chemo crosses the brain barrier. Very timely, useful and excellent information. No, you are not going crazy and you can get over it!!!

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly informative.
The best quote, "Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
-John Wooden-

[darryl ohrt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I be less dumb now.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 100 pages of this book really pulled me in. I felt a connection knowing that my fears and worries about my brain were being validated. It was nice to see stories from other cancer survivors, studies saying "This is real!" and being able to look at the brain and see where the damage comes from.

Unfortunately, the next 100 pages lost me. I felt like the authors steered away from the brain+chemo idea and focused mostly on breast cancer survivors and hormone therapy. Neither were relevant to me but if you have had breast cancer and been through menopause then you may value these pages more than I did.

At page 195, I felt like I was invited back into this book. All too quickly I was given tidbits of advice and an action plan when really I wanted more of each. Since the study of chemo brain is still so new, I can see that a book might not be able to offer me that much information but I still expected more. I would have also liked some discussion on the differences between chemo brain and Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment but there wasn't enough of that, instead the book focused on chemo brain v. depression which was also helpful. I think that as research in this field develops, the authors might have a chance to expand on this book and make it even more beneficial to survivors.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for more info about chemo after my husband was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour.

This book was ok but the focus was very much on women with breast cancer and did not use as examples any other type of cancer. Although the information was sound the examples would probably put off a man reading the whole book as is does not seem written for men.

Some of the information is also only applicable to Americans and their health system so you have to be aware of what may not be applicable.

Overall though a solid, useful book.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book hoping to better understand post-chemo results, and possibly some remedies. The first few chapters were quite engaging, then the writing turned very technical and mostly focusing on vitamins and supplements, but not the actual effects of chemo on the brain and what that means long term for current and post chemo patients.

[Jessica Applin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my greatest fear when going through chemo, I used to do brain teasers and logic puzzles, in the hopes to stave off the effects.

[Kayleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

this should be called, you're not nuts chemo gives you brain damage. It was okay, but didn't give me much help dealing with it.