Coping With Side Effects

There are a few that top the list.

Physical exercise - There's plenty of research showing that physical exercise increases cerebral blood flow and promotes the growth of brain cells. Even getting out and vigorously walking two or three times a week can help.

Brain foods - Most people don't generally think about "fats" when it comes to our diet post-chemo. But there are good fats that promote brain health and bad fats that do just the opposite. Avoid saturated fats (i.e.: cheese, whole milk, fatty animal products, palm oil), and trans fats (found in some commercial baked goods, snacks such as potato chips, fried foods, etc.). Both types of fat can cause clogging of the arteries and poor blood flow to the brain.

The good-guy fats are omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood and some plant sources (there's a chart of omega-3 foods in our book). Omega-3 fats have been shown to fight inflammation and help with depression. And in studies of omega-3 supplements, subjects showed improved attention in tasks involving complex reasoning.

Get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. In a study out just last week (journal Neurology - online version, 12-28-11), researchers found that participants with high blood levels of vitamins B,C, D and E, scored better in the areas of attention, visuospatial skills and executive functioning (decision making, reasoning, planning ahead) than a control group. They also found that those with high levels of trans fat demonstrated worse overall functioning in the areas of attention, memory, language and processing speed.

Mind games - Some neuropsychologists believe that playing games such as sudoku, or working crossword puzzles, will help you improve at those specific games but may not help with overall cognitive impairment. That's why it's important to engage in a wide variety of cognitive activities, such as reading more (even if it takes you longer because of problems with concentration), or trying something completely novel, such as taking up piano if you've never played before.

Organizational strategies - Find a way to structure your life that works for you, whether that means relying on digital or day planners, bundling tasks (such as always taking your pills when you brush your teeth) so that one helps you remember the other), or laying out your clothes for the morning before you go to bed. Doing what you can to organize your life will reduce stress.

One of the worst side effects I experienced with chemotherapy was constipation. This particular episode happened right in the beginning of my treatments; as a result, I never really healed throughout the three months of treatment. I would not wish it on my worse enemy! Although I was told to expect these kind of side effects and did take my one or two senna the night before my first treatment as directed, I feel that I was not really educated enough on just how bad it can be. I also ate brown rice one or two nights before chemo, which I think was a mistake. I don't recall being forewarned about these foods prior to treatment either. Senna, Senokot, smooth moves tea, green tea, prunes, loads of water, exercise all helped and sometimes a suppository was necessary when all else failed. I try to educate anyone I know who might be starting chemo to really prepare themselves and not let this happen. I wish I did!