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Product Reviews BY Cancer Survivors FOR Cancer Survivors

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Chemo Brain: Is it all in your head?

Many side effects from cancer treatment are common knowledge: fatigue, nausea, hair loss and changes in appetite.  But what about a decrease in mental function including thinking, memory, language skills and concentration?


Some describe it as a ‘fog’, ‘not being able to think clearly’ or ‘having a fuzzy memory’ while others may experience a ‘loss of words’. No matter the description, cancer patients know that chemo brain is real.


What is Chemo Brain?


Chemo brain or post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment (PCCI) (also known as chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction, chemo brain or chemo fog) describes the cognitive impairment that can result from chemotherapy treatment. Approximately 20-50% of people who undergo chemotherapy experience symptoms such as:

• Difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly
• Trouble multitasking (doing multiple things at once)
• Problems remembering words during conversation
• Longer processing time when learning new things
• A shortened attention span
• Feeling disorganized

What causes Chemo Brain?


Researches are still unsure what causes chemo brain and what may be done to prevent or treat it. Studies have indicated that symptoms of chemo brain have been reported by patients even before cancer treatment as well as by those who have never had chemotherapy. Factors such as distress, fatigue, anemia, depression, insomnia or hormonal fluctuations may also cause similar symptoms. 


Although an exact cause has yet to be determined, it is important for cancer patients to understand that the symptoms are not ‘all in your head’. They are real and several things can be done to manage and cope with chemo brain.


Ways to Cope


The good news is that for most people the symptoms of chemo brain improve significantly over time. To avoid frustration, give yourself permission to take extra time thinking through problems and let those around you know that you may have difficulty with simple mental processes.
Suggestions for dealing with Chemo Brain


Write it down  Keep a daily planner handy and write frequent to-do lists and reminders. 


Talk about it  Find a local support group and speak with others who can relate to what you’re experiencing. 


Exercise body and mind  Physical activity and mind building activities such as soduko or crosswords may help. 


Relax and breathe  Take deep breaths, try meditation or listening to soothing music.


Don’t over commit  Delegate tasks to others and don’t try to do everything yourself. Ask for help.


Laugh at it  Laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.


Talk with your Doctor  Speak with your doctor about your symptoms as they may be related to other causes such as anemia or fatigue. 


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Sources:
Lynne Eldridge MD, About.com Guide 8/13/10 Chemo brain - Chemo brain as a Side Effect of Chemotherapy  ‘Why Can’t I Think Clearly After Chemo?’
Theraputic benefits of Laughter:
http://www.holisticonline.com/humor_therapy/humor_therapy_benefits.htm
Post Chemotherapy Congitive Impairment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemo_brain
HopeGuide.net  Chemo Brain - Coping with cognitive changes during Treatment:
http://www.huntsmancancer.org/publicweb/content/pfs/pdfs/SWpatientEd-chemobrain2.pdf

Lessons from a three year old

My little cancer marker born in 2007

Isn't it interesting how many of life's reminders come from children. And often when you're not expecting it. 

I think that often times our lives seem to take over and we are bombarded by so many distractions that it's hard to remember what things - or people - really matter most. 

Today I was reminded by little cancer marker that the things we say can really change a person's day, if not their existence. 

We were driving home and my mind was swirling with everything that I still needed to accomplish when I returned home. You know the drill -- email this person, finish the laundry, help kids with homework, what's for dinner? and on and on. 

Then, my mind was pulled back to the moment as my little cancer marker (who is now three) sweetly says, 'I love you mommy'. Four little words that rocked my reality.

I love you. So simple. So easy to say. Yet how often do we use them? 

Oftentimes we go along in our daily routines and take for granted that those around us - those that matter most to us - already know that we love them. But do they?

Here's my challenge: Tell those you love - that you love them. 

We all know that life is short. The time is now. Start sharing your love and open your arms to the love that will be coming in return.  I'll start - I love you. There, I said it and it feels great!

Smoothing the Rough Edges - A review of 'I'm a Thriver' stones

Thriver Stone by ThriverGo.com
Product Review by Ginger Johnson

A gem cannot be polished without friction,

nor man perfected without trial. 

~Chinese Proverb

When I was first contacted by Go Thriver Go! to do a product review, I wasn't exactly sure what I'd be able to say about their product. After all, it's a rock.  But that was Day One and a lot has changed since.

Let's skip forward a week. I had been invited to attend a women's conference and the theme for the event was 'Choose to Become.' This particular day marked the end of a somewhat frustrating week for me and as the speaker began to share her story of trials and triumph, she sang a song that touched my heart. In essence, she sang:

When the winds of life begin to blow and the skies become dark, remember that it's the storm - NOT YOU- that is bound to blow away.

After the conference I found myself thinking about the stone I received and thoughts began forming in my mind about the process this stone had to go through to become so smooth and polished. Perhaps, at one time, this stone may have been part of a mountain top and through beating winds and severe rains had been torn from its original location and fallen down eventually landing in a river. Maybe it had jagged edges and a rough surface when it first hit the water, but now it was smooth because of the transition it had gone through. A transition it didn't bring upon itself. One that took it away from it's original location and one that altered how it looked.

Can anyone else relate???

Yet, like this rock, we can remain solid even after the mighty storms and whirlwinds beat upon us because of our determination to not just survive, but to thrive despite the challenges. 

Gabby Jung, the creator of the 'I'm a Thriver!' stone, chose to use natural river stones because they are natural and free flowing, yet solid and sturdy. She said of her own diagnosis with breast cancer: 

"I had my share of breakdowns. There were many times when I felt like giving up. But after being knocked down enough, I decided I would not let cancer define me. I am not a victim or just a survivor. I am a thriver. Being a thriver is much more than your physical condition on any given day. It's a declaration of who you are, no matter what challenge you face."

I now look at the 'I'm a Thriver' stone in a very different way. Just as our experiences with cancer are now etched into our lives, the words 'I'm a Thriver!' are etched into the stone, never to be worn away.  Interestingly enough, the word 'river' always stands out to me when I see the word 'thriver', as if to remind me of the process of transition that helped create it.

We can choose to thrive. We can choose to be steadfast when the storms come and this stone will remind me that although there has been lots of transitions in my life, I am a better person because some of my rough edges have been made smooth due to my experiences with cancer.

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To purchase an 'I'm a Thriver!' stone for yourself or a loved one please visit the ThriverGo website.

For additional information, please contact Gabby Jung, Co-Founder of Go Thriver Go! at info@thrivergo.com

Do we want what we've got?

Ginger Johnson with son during chemo. 

Lately there has been a flood of phone calls and emails that share this common theme: When will I feel like myself again?


Anyone else feel this way? 

I remember it all very well. The excitement of the last treatment - the feeling of relief that it's over - the celebrations of life and happiness. And then comes the frustration. 

Mine came as I climbed the stairs in my home after treatment had been over for about a month. I was still huffing and puffing all the way to the top. Seriously? Those 14 stairs didn't look like Mount Everest so why the lack of air?  

It's hard to be patient with recovery time. Especially when we live in an age of instant gratification and oftentimes expect things to happen now - right when we tell them to. But like I often tell my kids, 'You don't always get what you want.'  Sometimes 'It's not having what you want, It's wanting what you've got.' (Thanks Sheryl Crow for those profound words) We’re alive, right?? Isn’t that what we wanted?  Now it's about dealing with what we've got and being patient as we recover.

Here are some simple suggestions to a happier recovery.

1. Just Breathe.

Nope, I'm not talking about Anna Nalick's song, although I do like her music. I mean, stop what you are doing and breathe. Take a minute and think about your breathing patterns. Are they shallow and short or are you filling your lungs to capacity?  Deep breathing increases the amount of oxygen in your blood stream and in a nut shell, calms you down. We've had enough stress haven't we? Let's breathe and relax for a minute. Trust me. You'll feel better.  

2. Accept.

Because recovery isn't instantaneous it is best to accept your current physical and mental state and realize that time will play a big part in the healing process. Your body has been through a lot. It will need some R&R to regain 'normal' function.  Be patient with yourself and remember that patience doesn't mean that we sit back and do nothing. Oftentimes patience requires action accompanied with a willingness to not be discouraged. And I think that's the key - not allowing ourselves to be discouraged. So for me, instead of focusing on the fact that I was out of breath, I chose to focus on the fact that I was alive and able to breath at all! 

3. Decide.

Now that you’ve accepted your current state, make a goal of how you want to be and what you want to feel like, and then take small steps each day to reach that goal.  My goal was to reach the top of the stairs without being out of breath. I took it one step at a time, one day at a time, until the glorious day when I made it to the ‘summit’ and realized I wasn’t gasping for air. I had the strongest urge to post a flag at the top of the stairs to commemorate my accomplishment. But a huge smile and the realization that I was finally getting back to ‘normal’ was enough.

4. Discuss.

Everyone will experience recovery differently according to age, body type and cancer type. It is important to keep your doctor informed of how you’re doing – especially if you are experiencing pain or long periods of sadness. Joining a support group can be very helpful too. It’s always nice to speak with others who truly understand what you’re going through. 

5. Laugh

Laughter can be very therapeutic throughout the cancer experience.  Laughter lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.  I don't think that cancer itself is funny - It's not. But I couldn't help but laugh when I found out that my dad's chemotherapy was called 5 FU. You know it's bad when your chemo is swearing at you. LOL.

What tips do you have for people who are struggling with recovery? What tips can be added to this list? 

Katherine Scott, Hodgkin's Lymphoma
survivor & owner of 40 Blades of Grass

MY TICKET TO FREEDOM
By Guest Blogger, Katherine Scott


One of the most freeing pieces of knowledge I have learned is that the human body has the ability to heal itself. It has the power to heal any ailment or disease. 


Changing the diet is the ticket. If we continue to feed our bodies the same foods that made us sick in the first place (the typical American diet), then the body will not have the vitality it needs to heal. Changing to a Living Food diet provides the vitality for each cell in the body to detox and heal. 

Living Food are raw foods that contain enzymes. Cooking food at high temperatures changes the molecular structure of the food and the natural healing enzymes start to degrade. Living and raw foods have enormously higher nutrient values compared to foods that have been cooked.


This information is a hidden treasure that has been buried and most of us never find it, but, “when the student is ready the teacher appears.” I WAS READY!


Nine months of chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma made me the perfect student. I was ready to soak up everything I needed to know to get out from under the grip of fear. The fear of a recurrence was with me every moment of every day. I held a negative vision of a dire prognosis during my first check- up scan. After the final treatment, I thought to myself” I can’t live like this fearing the worst”.


I wanted a day without fear. Ann Wigmore was an American holistic health practitioner and nutritionist whose writings and lifestyle impressed me greatly. She opened the door for me to the knowledge of green juices, living foods, and a way of eating that restores the body’s ability to heal itself.


I believed it. It rang so true to me. The information that is contained in her book, “The Wheat grass Book” inspired me so much that I immediately followed the instructions about how to grow wheat grass. I don’t recall it being difficult. I obtained trays, organic soil, organic seeds and a set of shelves, and set them up in my kitchen. I was living in London at the time and had no problem growing it. I took delight in seeing how quickly the grass grew.


Although the juice didn't taste great to me at first I knew it was good so I religiously consumed 2 oz’s of juice every morning. That wasn’t too hard to do for my health and peace of mind. That was way back in 1996 and I am thankful to say I have not needed the service of a physician since that time.

Because of my experiences, I decided to educate myself in the Ann Wigmore method and have now opened a beautiful raw foods retreat center in the Utah Valley called 40 Blades of Grass. People at my retreat follow the Ann Wigmore Diet along with wheat grass juice and allow their bodies detox, to heal and at the same time become educated about the super foods…..i.e. those foods that will return the body to its pristine health. Knowledge about how to grow and prepare the foods is also taught.


I Thank God every day for the knowledge of how to restore and regenerate my body and that gratitude has blossomed into a strong desire to educate others and share the peace of mind I have found by eating Raw and Living Foods. Feel free to ask me about raw foods or our retreats.


Have you found peace of mind through better eating habits? Did your eating habits changed after you were diagnosed with cancer? What foods do you now eat to be more healthy?

Please PUSH Me Around!!!

Ginger Johnson, Happy Chemo! Founder

I've never been much of a push over. I tend to get things done when push comes to shove and have also been known to push my way through crowds. But when I was given the opportunity to experience Push muscle therapy, I was not prepared to like being Pushed around. Let me explain...

Judy Smith of Footloose Reflexology and Muscle Therapies recently joined the Happy Chemo! Network and as a new partner asked that I come experience her services first hand so I'd know exactly what other people could expect. When she said to come for a Push therapy session, I was very interested. Not only because I had heard from friends that she was amazing - but that she can also work wonders on your body. Oh yes, it gets better...


I've had headaches and upper back/neck pain since high school when I was a cheerleader. It's never gone away and I was told by one physician after an x-ray of my spine that my hips were off by 5 cm which was causing all the problems. I had learned to deal with the pain although my body pain intensified with chemo and since chemo I've continued to feel tight all over - especially when I wake up in the morning. I feel like I'm 90!


On Friday I went in for a two hour session of Push muscle therapy and well, let me tell you, my body hasn't felt this good in years!!! Years people. Do you hear me...years!


So what did she do to make me feel so great? She pushed me around. 


Judy is trained in Push Muscle Therapy which is a specialized muscle treatment that primarily addresses chronic or acute pain originating from muscle, tendon or soft ligaments. Push Therapy is not massage and you are completely clothed during your session. Using simple motions Push lengthens the muscle at its resting state and increases blood flow basically telling your muscles to let go of the tension.


You should know that this isn't a 'lay on the table and relax' experience. There was some discomfort involved. As Judy would work my muscles, they'd scream at me and resist the change. But Judy was receptive to that and told me to always let her know what I was feeling.


That's another thing about this experience...I was educated. Before she began, Judy showed me in a mirror how my muscle tension was affecting my posture. My right shoulder was about 2 inches higher than my left - I was seriously crooked! And when I looked at myself from the side view, even though I was trying to stand completely straight, my body was leaning forward so much that with a little touch Judy was able to push me forward. I was completely out of alignment and I didn't know it!


Judy worked my muscles and educated me throughout the entire session. When she was finished I couldn't believe how much better I felt. I left the session feeling 2 inches taller, no neck, back or hip pain and I slept like a baby Friday night. (Did I mention I've been dealing with insomnia too?) Then Saturday morning when I woke up, I couldn't believe it. My body felt incredible. I sat straight up - which usually I have to roll over. I almost jumped out of bed and went to tell my family how great my body felt and still feels. 


I'm officially a lover of being pushed around! I can't wait to get pushed around some more and try the other services Judy offers: Reflexology, Reiki, lymphatic massage, foot detox and more. 


Just so you know...Push muscle therapy may be able to eliminate the causes of pain from the following conditions: carpal tunnel, headaches, TMJ, leg or knee pain, plantar fasciitis, shoulder issues, low back ache, or hip discomfort.


I feel it would be 100% worth it to schedule an appointment and see what Footloose Reflexology and Muscle Therapies can do for you!!! I've never felt so good. 


Call Judy Smith (801) 529-8777 and tell her Happy Chemo! sent you. You'll get a 10% discount and an experience that may change your life. 

Gain Happiness by Expressing Gratitude

Ginger Johnson, Happy Chemo! Founder

Thank you. Two simple words that mean so much. But how often do we use them? 

As a mother of three young children I am often bombarded with 'Now', 'I want', 'Why can't I' amidst the other bickering like 'He touched me' and 'She's breathing my air!' which happens to be a personal favorite. But all the chaos of the day seems to vanish when my little 3 year old son (who is also my personal cancer marker) says 'Thank you Mommy'. Simple words with power and the ability to change the atmosphere in any situation when spoken with sincerity.

Expressing gratitude to those around us is vital to increasing our own personal happiness. How? Think of gratitude as a physical object. When we open our arms and extend gratitude to those around us, our arms are open to receive the love and support that they have for us in return. It can be a continuous cycle of love as we give and receive the gratitude that is in our hearts.

Everyone wants to feel appreciated and loved. I don't know anyone who says 'I am too appreciated'. We all love to be loved and one way to show love is by expressing gratitude and sharing our thankfulness for the blessings we receive.

And so to everyone reading this, Thank you. Thank you for letting us serve you. Thank you for supporting Happy Chemo! and our mission to make the cancer experience easier to endure. Thank you for fighting each day to survive and Thank you for the kind words and service you render others - even when your energy is low and your day seems grim. Thank you for sharing your life with those around you and thank you for being grateful for what you still have. 

"Oh my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts - it's what you do with what you have left."

May we live each day with thankfulness in our hearts for what we have and strive to express gratitude for it. Our lives will be happier as we do.