Perhaps people just like to complain online, as well as to contribute or share triumphs."  If so, the latest blog postings on the New York Times' health blog paint a dim view for cancer survivors."  The various contributions present a confusing array of prospects for the cancer survivor: " 

1. The "well, it could be stress and anxiety" comments from the medical community, citing evidence that many other treatments and illnesses also cause memory deficits."  (Comment: this is extremely frustrating for me to read-- I want to require all physicians to take remedial logic, science, and neuroscience classes!) This continues the medical community's invalidation of symptoms.
2. More confusion from patients who had increased clarity from the pre-chemo steriods-- somehow associating that with chemotherapy treatment.
3. "Workaround" solutions that may reinforce the self-perception of being permanently disabled.
4. Training, of which I am firm believer.
5. Ritalin, modafinil, or other drugs.
6. Research projects, books, etc.

"  Below are some excerpts from the blog entries:

• I am a middle-aged, intelligent, sharp-minded, and very-gainfully employed cancer patient. I am living the daily frustration and dignity-stripping effects of chemo brain. When I go to do something simple - write a fax and send it to my office, photocopy the attachment that goes with it — my brain turns to complete mush.

• Yes, I have chemobrain. It has been a long 7 years since my treatment. I use to teach at the university level, write articles for scholarly journals and led international projects. However, I have had to let such high functioning go. I loved and thrived on such work and stimulation.

  I have tried my best to gain back my former cognitive functions. . ."  I now volunteer working with elders because my cognitive speed is more like theirs. Many of the elders are not fast, nor am I.

• I am a strong believer in chemo brain and trying to work through it. I have always suspected that it is also hormonally related as one of the biggest problems I have is verbal fluency and I had the same problem during pregnancy.

• My excellent oncologist doesn’t believe in "chemo brain". Yep…I brought it up 2 years ago after successful treament for uterine cancer and he told me "well you’ve never been 64 before."

It can be tempting to join the "pity party" but no one ever recovered by feeling sorry, and such feelings are the opposite of empowerment."  I was fortunate that a dear friend gave me Lance Armstrong's book; if there is ever such a thing as a perfect an inspiring story about cancer, his is it.

My conclusion: people feel overwhelmed first by the disease, and second by the treatment, and third by the treatment side effects."  The problem of recovery is aggravated by the intimidation factor built into the medical, pharmaceutical, and research establishments."  Recovery can also be hindered by relying on information from other survivors' advice and experience ONLY, without checking the facts and research, and without daily, significant self-bootstrapping.

Cancer starts a person on a life-changing journey. It's still up to us what we make of it.

To read the NYT blogs, click here.