“Chemo Brain” is for Real, and There is Real Help - A Discussion on Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment

Everything Cancer

Today, Jill is joined by Doreen Bridgman and Marilyn Abrahamson, the brilliant and compassionate minds behind Brain Thrive—Brain Health Coaching. These experienced speech-language pathologists dive into the realities of "Chemo Brain," a common yet often misunderstood side effect of chemotherapy. If you find mind fatigue, fogginess, and forgetfulness frustrating and disruptive of life, you're not alone.
Join us as Doreen and Marilyn share their expert strategies to help cancer survivors navigate and overcome these cognitive challenges.
Key Discussion Points:

1. Role of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs):

- SLPs address language and processing, attention skills, memory, and communication, These are crucial for managing cognitive impairments.
- SLPs are vital in helping individuals with cognitive impairment caused by chemotherapy.
2. Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairment:

- Affects attention, memory, word finding, organization, decision-making, and problem-solving.
- Research shows MRI-detectable changes in brain gray and white matter, validating this condition.
3. Long Live Your Brain Program:

- A six-week online course focused on lifestyle choices, reducing information overload, cognitive energy management, and environmental organization.
- Emphasizes shared experiences through group coaching, fostering support, and building coping strategies.
- Support from group activities helps individuals feel less isolated and more supported.
4. Strategies for Coping:

- Stop, Breathe, and Restart: A technique to reset focus and manage information overload.
- Say it and Make it So: Vocalizing actions to make routine tasks mindful and memorable
- Journal symptoms and use patient portals to communicate with healthcare providers.
- Encouragement to re-engage socially, choosing quieter, less crowded environments for better cognitive processing.
- Support from group activities helps individuals feel less isolated and more supported.
Contact Information:

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