Cognitive Dysfunction
Chemo-Brain Prevention

Chemo-brain Prevention Plan by Dr. Jeffrey and Marie Kaplan:

• Put things in perspective. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The first wealth is health." If you are a survivor, you are healthy compared to the alternative.



• Remember that health care is supposed to be a caring profession. Memory loss can be organic, meaning it can have a physical cause; sometimes it is a natural cost of aging. If memory loss is severe, consequential, or progressive, seek advice from an empathetic health care practitioner -- someone you can trust.



• Find a way to celebrate life. See what remains beautiful, wholesome, and gives redeeming value to people. Look deep under the surface; seek others' positive values, and never allow stereotyping or prejudices to get in your way.



• Focus -- Concentrate on what matters. Forgetting a telephone number is not as important as a birthday of a significant other.



• Don't allow minor events to 'rain on your parade' or become a setback: they are merely inconveniences.



• Reduce complexity in your life. It might be a good idea to break complex tasks into orderly, manageable parts. For instance, do not have the house painted before installing the new chimney.



• Take a break. Try deep breathing exercises; even consider formal training in mind over matter exercises such as transcendental meditation or yoga.



• Eat well and if you cannot sleep, at least relax.



• Reducing stimulants like caffeine (and other such chemicals) in the diet is always good.



• Try not to become frustrated when forgetful, especially for things of little or no consequence.



• Indulge yourself every once in a while with agreeable things that give you pleasure. Go shopping. Sometimes aerobic-type exercises help--our key therapy.



• Chew! Chewing is a stress releaser--try carrots, celery or gum, but not chewing tobacco. Eating complex carbohydrates may help release the neurotransmitter or chemical, serotonin, which in the brain is associated with stress handling and calm moods.



• Avoid additive drugs including nicotine, a drug that smokers claim relieves stress -it doesn't!



• Find and rely on significant others (women are better at this then men). Have the temerity to say "I'm hurting and feeling very vulnerable (or depressed, or unstable, etc.)."



• Align with, or reach out to, support or social groups such as a church, synagogue, or mosque; seek people with similar interests as your own.



• Connect with others -- the Internet, for example, puts people in touch with others who care, but are not prying (you can often tell the difference by the questions people ask).



• Get organized. Pocket organizers are valuable here.



• Finally, treat life and life's stresses one day at a time.

Note. Kaplan, J. & Kaplan, M. (2000). Chemo-Brain prevention plan. Retrieved September 12, 2002 from the World Wide Web: www.managingmanagedcare.com/Controversies/CHEMOBR.doc