Blog entries

Diet and the immune system as the ultimate treatment

richard cavalli — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:43:53 +0100

I was only 66 and I knew I was very close to death if I didn't do something radical and quickly. My PSA spiked and my doctor told me that I had prostate cancer and had to have a biopsy and most likely surgery, chemo and radiation. My blood pressure was extremely high and very close to stroke levels. I was very overweight and couldn't even see my toes. I was about 40 pounds overweight. My cholesterol levels were very high and warning of an impending heart attack iRead More...

Resist pressure to be a victim

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:38:04 +0100

I'm venturing into dangerous territory: I am not writing a sappy story about breast cancer survival. In fact, I am doing the opposite, for the mental and physical health of breast cancer survivors everywhere. I am calling for a hiatus on the fear-mongering and sympathy. If I were making the rules for media, I would allow only breast cancer stories about achievements, health research results, and medical breakthroughs. There. I feel better already.

ARead More...

156 miles to "me"

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:20:12 +0100

Regardless of how self-assured people behave "on the outside," there is always more of a struggle within. This is particularly the case with cancer survivors. The survivor in me wants to forget about cancer and live a life without thinking about it in reference to me. The psychologist/scientist in me wants to study survivors and determine if some mental or emotional toughness, immunity, or fortune distinguishes those of us who survive more than 5 years past the diagnosis.&nbRead More...

New! Chemo brain blog - Overcoming Fear and Invalidation

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Earlier this year, I wrote about how various cancer organizations and oncologists viewed chemo brain, and I described the Five Step Program for Chemo Brain Recovery that I developed and used as a chemotherapy patient. It's included below this month's blog.

Since writing the May blog, I've given more presentations on chemo brain, continued various forms of research, and began developing some tools for chemotherapy patients after therapy.

I've come to several cRead More...

I like you in that Awareness-Hat

Alexandra Hunger — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:17:04 +0100

However, the Educated-look is more “put together”

Time periods publicized as “Awareness --insert cause here--Month” normally launch me into an inner-conversation about my personal involvement. Right now, solidly into October, I find myself wondering if the message of Breast Cancer Awareness is really sinking in to the people around me.

People spend time styling themselves to appear sympathetic, but forget tRead More...

October is Tickled Pink...but to what end?

Alexandra Hunger — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:15:55 +0100

As an avid health and wellness advocate, I have been giving some serious thought to the current pink craze. Brett Favre wore pink cleats during Monday's big game, people are adding "twibbons" to their Twitter profiles, and every store I enter is pushing pink like its the new recreational drug.

I love awareness. Ask anyone. But here comes the problem: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been around since 1985 and we still don't have a cure. As a supporter Read More...

Obesity Issue Tossing "Fat on the the Fire"

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:49:21 +0100

I am on vacation, but I never take a vacation from good health. Last night, before turning in, I tuned in to Greta van Susteren's visit to The Cleveland Clinic. (If you weren't able to view it live, visit her website, gretawire.)

During a part of the segment, the Cleveland Clinic's CEO emphasized controlling obesity for improving health and health care, since obesity is related to a wide range of life-threatening diseases, including cancer. This morning, I decidRead More...

Folic Acid (Folate), Cancer, and Chemo Brain

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:48:29 +0100

Folic acid (supplement form of folate) is a vitamin most commonly associated with pregnancy. Its importance in cancer treatment and cognitive functions for surviving cancer are becoming increasingly apparent. Folic acid deficiency is likely to be a major contributor to the disorder we know as chemo brain.

Why you need folate/folic acid if you are a cancer survivor:
Helps form and maintain new cells (this is why many chemotherapies deplete it) Needed to make DNA and RRead More...

I Beat Cancer Twice: Jamie Inman's Survival Story

Jamie Inman — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100

In December, 2005, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ was found in my left breast. Although surprised because 13 years had elapsed since my first cancer (well beyond "cured"), my strongest emotion was annoyance. The previous 18 months had been devoted to caring for my dying father, then my widowed mother; by comparison the cancer was just a nuisance.

For the first go-round with cancer I had taken the conservative path of lumpectomy with radiation, which ultimately failed me, so this tRead More...

Don't Fear Pain: Effective Control is possible!

Maureen A. Carling, RN (USA) SCM, NDN, HV, FET (England) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(Please note that the following was written for oncology professionals and general practitioners.Ã‚Â If you are a cancer patient or survivor, please comment and ask any clarifying questions.)

A diagnosis of cancer can be devastating, especially if it brings with it the fear that cancer automatically means pain, yet in most patient's pain can be effectively controlled.Ã‚Â Ã‚Â Pain control and alertness are not mutually exclusive.Ã‚Â It is entirely possible to be pain-free AND alert. FRead More...

Tylenol and you

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:08:03 +0100

The radio waves, at least in Richmond, VA, are being bombarded with Tylenol commercials after the FDA has been evaluating warning labels and new safety limits. "The name you trust." "Trust the label that doctors and hospitals have trusted for more than 50 years." Ostensibly, the commercials are encouraging people to use the Tylenol brand, and not generics. But the commercials carry the primary message that Tylenol is safe, which, depending upon your situation, may not be truRead More...

I used IP-6 as a Cornerstone of My Post-Chemo Strategy

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:00:55 +0100

The IP-6 article published (under Articles) on this site last week inspired me to comment and blog about it. I am a one-person case study for this supplement, which has a good reputation in the supplement community.

Please note that I am not trying to pass this off as equivalent to a controlled trial. Many in the medical community are quick to criticize dietary supplements because they lack the "solid research evidence" of double-blind, control group studies. (Many ofRead More...

Tommy's Cancer

John T Sellers — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:07:15 +0100

My morning has gone south. I just got a letter from the VA saying that I now and back to March make co payments for everything. I have been getting my Meds through them and Now I can't. Bad news. I have no idea what to do. Very depressed at the moment. I don't see a future for me now. Thanks VA.

Tommy

For Chemo Brain, Develop Daily Routine and Stick to It

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100

The most difficult aspect of chemo brain, at least for me, was that I seemed to allow my entire day to drift by without realizing it-- a symptom of excessive "slow brain waves."Ã‚Â I believe this is the "mental fog" so many chemotherapy and cancer survivors complain about.Ã‚Â It's definitely troubling to wonder where your entire day "went."Ã‚Â

I have measured the brain waves of hundreds of people, including adults and children with diagnoses of ADHD, difficulty "getting going" in thRead More...

Social Media May Help Save Your Life

Dr. Susan Hardwicke — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:32:18 +0100

Social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, not to mention the many ways that Internet users can vote on stories, just might save lives and perform the task informally that government agencies and foundations should be doing.

News can travel like a lightning rod through the various social networks, and, once out, news and information is impossible to suppress.

Here's a case in point:

The ABC news headline reads "FDA Scrutinizes Acetaminophen's Liver Risk." A lRead More...

Tommy's Cancer

John T Sellers — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:46:20 +0100

Good Morning All,

Knowing and talking about ChemoBrain helps a lot! Thanks for all the information! Knowledge of your situation takes you a long way to understanding.

I just weighted and I am at 152 lbs. I have a lot of trouble eating because I have had my teeth removed. I had to. No choice. Information on this would help. I went to the Cancer Center yesterday and had a blood workup. All good. I was just feeling really sick and down mentally and my stomach hurt a lot.

I am Read More...

New Book: Your Brain After Chemo

Idelle Davidson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:50:35 +0100

I would like to announce the new release of:

Your Brain After Chemo: A Practical Guide to Lifting the Fog and Getting Back Your Focus by Dan Silverman, MD, PhD and Idelle Davidson.

Your Brain After Chemo can be ordered online now at http://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-after-Chemo-Practical/dp/0738212598, and will be available in bookstores beginning July 13th.

“A ground-breaking guide to "post-chemo brain," the cognitive impairment that often follows chemotherapy&rRead More...

The FDA Threatens to Remove Long Acting Opioids: Public Participation Needed

Maureen A. Carling, RN (USA) SCM, NDN, HV, FET (England) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:58:51 +0100

ACTION ALERT:

On February 6, 2009, the FDA sent letters to 24 manufacturers of opioid analgesics (both long and short-acting) to let them know that that they would be required to develop comprehensive Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) plans. According to the FDA, the purpose of the REMS would be to ensure that the benefits of the drugs continue to outweigh the risks (misuse, abuse and accidental overdose).

Tommy's Cancer

John T Sellers — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:29:20 +0100

I am a colo-rectal patient and have been on Chemo for 4 years. Just a few years ago I was on the VA system and I was having a lot of pain. I thought that I should call and make sure they knew I was on my way. When I called the whole phone system was down. I am about 150 miles from the hospital. Instead, I decided to go to a local hospital- University Medical Center. That was the best decision I have ever made. This is what lead up to what happened next.
I had a heart attack 14 years ago and a 4Read More...

So many people with chemo brain !!

Lynn Harland — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:46:39 +0100

I am just shocked at the amount of people with chemo brain or as some call it "fog." A short time ago I joined the rest of the world and started "twittering" and many of the people I come in contact with have or have had cancer. It is so sad to hear about their lack of knowledge of chemo brain. Their symptoms are forgetfulness, lack of concentration and just plain not remembering day to day things and they don't know what is wrong. They are scared and don't know whoRead More...