Word Retrieval: How Chemotherapy Changes the Way You Think, Part 4

By

Idelle Davidson

It's right there on the tip of your tongue.  It's a word that has a "ka" sound in the beginning and a "tah" sound somewhere at the end.  And you can almost see it, but then darn, it's gone.  Perhaps later, when you're rushing to slap dinner on the table, that stupid word, so maddeningly elusive just hours before will pop right into your head, as if it were all just a silly misunderstanding between you and your brain.

INFORMATION PROCESSING: How Chemotherapy Changes the Way You Think, Part 3

by

Idelle Davidson

In the introduction of Your Brain After Chemo, I tell the story of one of my friends, "Linda," who was in a support group with me at the Wellness Community.  Earlier in the week she had tried to get to the market only to find herself tangled in frustration.
  

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING: How Chemotherapy Changes the Way You Think, Part 2

by

Idelle Davidson

Many people who have been through chemotherapy report problems with EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING.  Of course they don't call it that, they just say their brains have turned to sludge.

Executive functioning is high-level thought found in a part of the brain called the frontal cortex (just behind the forehead).

INTRODUCTION: How Chemotherapy Changes the Way You Think, Part 1

by

Idelle Davidson

Have you heard of "cognitive domains?" That's a term mental health experts use to explain which areas of the brain do what. People who have gone through chemotherapy often take a hit in these areas.  Look at the domain categories below. Do any describe what you may be calling chemo brain or post-chemo brain or brain fog?  What you may be suffering is actually a deficit in your executive functioning.  A mouthful, I know.  Okay, let's go back to chemo brain...