Chemo Brain Strategies

Cancer-Induced Cognitive Impairment: Strategies for Success

In last week’s blog post, four of our Firefly Guides shared with us what it’s like to live with cancer-induced cognitive impairment, a.k.a. “chemo brain” (in case you missed it, Darla Coss, Occupational Therapist, explains the phenomenon here). This condition can affect people who have faced cancer, whether or not they have had chemotherapy treatment. In this post, the women offer strategies they use to manage the issue and ways in which they are improving their lives in mind, body, and spirit. Thank you, Pam, Anna W., Amy, and Anna N., for sharing your personal stories!

With her focus on managing everyday tasks, Pam shares a few of her ‘tricks of the trade’, in particular making excellent use of technology. She receives reminders to pay her bills online, using autopay when she can and receiving paper copies as a backup. When driving, she always maps her route ahead of time and uses the audio version of her driving directions to follow along. In the kitchen, Pam sets both the oven timer and her phone timer to ensure safety while she’s cooking (and not ruining her family’s favorite lasagna and cookies she loves to make!).

In addition to strategizing and organizing for success, Pam sought the help of a specialist in biofeedback to help with relaxation, knowing that stress adds to her challenges. She also worked with a cognitive therapist to help her with brain training activities and environmental strategies.

Perhaps most importantly, Pam has found integrative therapies to be a tremendous help in improving her quality of life. Meditation has become a daily practice for her; she finds that just 5-10 minutes a day reduces both physical and emotional stress, as well as improving her sleep. A more relaxed and rested mind and body bring better focus and awareness for her. Pam also works with a nutritionist and pays close attention to her body’s exercise and nutritional needs. She avoids inflammatory-producing foods, and engages in regular exercise, both of which increase her alertness.

Anna W. sought the help of an occupational therapist after realizing her cognitive issues were greatly affecting her work performance. Continuing to see her O.T. regularly, Anna has learned ways to better organize her daily activities, mental strategies to stay focused on a task or conversation, and how to recall information. She keeps several detailed to-do lists, continually crossing off what she has accomplished and adding new tasks, both small and large. She has found ways to clear out environmental distractions and keeps reminders around the house, most frequently referring to the need to “see it, say it, 3 times” when wanting to remember something new. Anna also does what she can to simplify her life, knowing that trying to do too much increases her stress and adds to her cognitive challenges.

One of the more unique tools Anna finds extremely helpful is a smart pen, which records what she hears, says, and writes and links this to her note-taking. She used it for the first time at the BCEA conference recently and is very impressed by the impact it’s having on her work performance. “I love it!” she says of the new tool.

While Amy’s “brain fog” has been on the milder side, she, too, finds difficulty with concentration and focus. For her, paying close attention to her mind/body/spirit health is critical to minimizing cognitive issues. Like Pam, Amy engages in several integrative practices, including meditation and yoga, to clear away some of the mind clutter. She also uses essential oils and prioritizes sleep, knowing that when she is tired, her concentration suffers. Zumba classes provide her with the exercise, brain training, and fun that help round out her strength in survivorship.

Finding humor in the situation is one important piece of healing for Anna N. When she’s getting ready to leave the house and has to return 3, then 4, then 5 times because she’s forgotten what she needs for the day, sometimes all she can do is laugh! When there’s real work to be done, Anna uses some of the coping strategies she learned while working with an occupational therapist. She often emails herself reminders from her phone throughout the day, as well as keeping post-its throughout the house. Anna has become an expert list maker and pays close attention to putting important things, like her keys, in the same place every time she uses them. Maintaining both a digital and paper calendar has been a big help for her, as well.

Anna, too, engages in holistic practices. She pays close attention to her nutrition and the amount of sleep she gets and engages in mindfulness training. She also does activities to work her brain, including genealogy and crossword puzzles. And, once again, Zumba is a favorite exercise!

Our Guides remind us that while cognitive issues can be a challenging side effect of a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, there are many strategies and practices available to improve quality of life. Help and support are available to strengthen mind, body, and spirit and live your best life!