Chemo Fog is a Serious Bummer

Chemo fog aka chemo brain aka cognitive dysfunction aka post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment ...

Whatever you call it, it sucks. Chemo fog refers to the memory problems cancer survivors experience after chemotherapy treatments. Approximately 20-30% of chemo patients end up with chemo fog. According to Mayo Clinic, very little is understood about this bizarre condition. According to chemofog.net, scientists have attributed the following cognitive changes to chemo treatments:

• Word finding. You might find yourself reaching for the right word in conversation.
• Memory. You might experience short-term memory lapses, such as not remembering where you put your keys or what you were supposed to buy at the store.
• Multitasking. Many jobs require you to manage multiple tasks during the day. Multitasking is important at work as well as at home — for example, talking with your kids and making dinner at the same time. Chemotherapy may affect how well you’re able to perform multiple tasks at once.
• Learning. It might take longer to learn new things. For example, you might find you need to read paragraphs over a few times before you get the meaning.
• Processing speed. It might take you longer to do tasks that were once quick and easy for you.

If you are close to someone who is going through chemo, or recovering from treatments, be sensitive to this issue. They are most likely aware that something's not up to snuff, but for the time being, they are relatively helpless over it. Ginkgo biloba is a natural memory enhancer, and may be a useful dietary supplement for those suffering the dreaded chemo fog.

Laughter as Medicine

Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.

-Bob Newhart

It seems that people have always intuitively understood the therapeutic effects of laughter, and more recently science has been able to explain some of these benefits. The act of laughing increases oxygen flow and circulation while lowering blood pressure. Laughter also balances our emotions. The Mayo Clinic suggests that daily laughter can go a long way in helping cancer patients cope with their illness. Here are a few tips they recommend:

• Watch a funny movie and laugh out loud.
• Laugh with friends — go for coffee together, talk a walk, go window shopping.
• Take time to read the comic section of the paper every day.
• Play games such as Pictionary, Bingo, Charades, Bowling ... anything that puts you in a situation of humor and fun.

While helping my sister battle non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, I've found that laughter also provides a diversion. It serves as a temporary escape from the rather frightening reality of cancer. I had never really thought of laughter as medicine, but it makes perfect sense. I think I sense a Marx Brothers marathon in our near future...

You can't leave the table till you finish those veggies!

I can remember these words coming from my Mother's mouth as if it were yesterday. At the time, I found her insistence on eating my greens infuriating. Today, I'm more thankful than ever.

Research from the University of Illinois shows that broccoli contains "sulforaphane, the powerful cancer-fighting agent" (EurekAlert). This compound is released by beneficial bacteria in the digestive track, and our bodies then absorb it, helping us to stay cancer-free. Other veggies high in sulforaphane include carrots, collard greens and cabbage.

It isn't just a form of cruel and unusual torture; insisting on veggies is an important thing for every parent to do!

Alternative Cleaning Products Can Help You Avoid Cancer

The dangers of cleaning products are becoming increasingly understood, and research has established a link between these chemicals and cancer. As much as I would like to use this as an excuse to not clean my room anymore, I realize that safer, alternative cleaning solutions are the real answer. For example, baking soda is a natural abrasive and deodorizer. Vinegar is acidic and therefore great at fending off bacteria and mold. I've scoured the internet (pun intended) and selected several of my favorite environmentally-safe, creative cleaning tips:

• Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean. (Vinegar Tips)
• Baking soda will keep away garbage odors; sprinkle the bottom of the pail, and then sprinkle again after you put a new bag in. (The New Home Maker)
• For stubborn marks in your toilet, sprinkle your toilet bowl with baking soda and then pour vinegar on top of it. It will bubble (think volcano science projects). Use your toilet brush to brush down the sides of your toilet bowl. (Natural News)
• Adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine saves you from buying a separate laundry softener. Vinegar works naturally to soften your laundry and has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent very effectively. (House Keeping)

In addition to being safer, these cleaning products are cheap! For a more thorough explanation of how these substances can be used to clean your home, check out any of the source links.

Today's Lesson: Acrylamide

Acrylamide is a chemical compound that occurs in cooked, starchy foods. Cooking techniques that expose foods to high temperatures, such as frying, roasting and grilling, form acrylamide naturally. Because this chemical is a byproduct of standard cooking practices, it is essentially impossible to cut from a diet altogether.

And studies now show that acrylamide is a probable carcinogen, particularly for women. Specifically, a direct link has been established between acrylamide consumption and ovarian and womb cancer. With this lovely scientific revelation, what's a girl to do?

The European Union has released number of dietary suggestions to reduce the intake of acrylamide. For example,

The EU has now advised people to avoid burnt toast or golden brown chips because they contain higher levels of the substance acrylamide.

The EU called on people not to overcook their food.

They have also recommended eating home-cooked meals which contain much lower amounts of the chemical than processed products, fast food and restaurant meals.

-The Telegraph

NHL Chat Group

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsor online chat groups for NHL patients every Monday and Wednesday evening from 7 pm to 9 pm (Central Time). The name of the forum is Living with NHL: Gaining a Sense of Balance, and it is intended to be a support group for those battling this form of cancer. If you are interested in participating in this online discussion, follow the instructions below:

You can access the chat by going to the login page. Select Enter as a Guest, type your name (as you want it to appear in the chat) and click Enter Room . The chat application will launch in a new window.

You will need to wait for the moderator to arrive in the room before you can send messages, as this is a moderated chat.

Remember that maintaining a strong support network is extremely beneficial for those battling any form of cancer. This is yet another way to get connected and stay positive!

When we're done with this planet...

When we're done polluting our water sources and atmosphere, where will we go next?

-Cartoon by Joe Mohr.

DIY Water Cleanup!

Some people are becoming increasingly frustrated with the levels of pollution in their local waterways. Some are also becoming increasingly disenchanted with the government's dawdling approach to cleanup. Fed up with bureaucratic delays and stagnancy, many are now turning to the DIY remediation movement.



In New York, the Gowanus Canal is often refered to as the "loveliest toxic waterway" (The Earth Institute, Columbia University), polluted heavily with PCBs, pesticides and metals, among other contaminants. Disappointed with the EPA's tardy response to the situation, a local group of environmentalists decided to take action for themselves. Their efforts resulted in Jerko, "a refurbished houseboat, renovated with salvaged materials and fitted with a floating wetland" (The Earth Institute, Columbia University). The boat travels along the polluted canal, showing "how water can be cleaned through relatively inexpensive but surprisingly effective techniques of biological filtration through artificial wetlands. More importantly, it shows how citizens can take the health of their environment into their own hands without waiting for large-scale institutional action" (The Earth Institute, Columbia University).

Click here to read more about this awesome project.

Cancer Awareness: Genuine or Hype?

Breast cancer awareness has received a great deal attention over the past several years (much more than NHL), and the color pink has become virtually synonymous with breast cancer awareness. Marketers have done an excellent job promoting awareness campaigns and countless companies now sell pink products, with a portion of the proceeds going towards breast cancer research. While I have to admit that the level of attention this community receives is impressive, there seems to be a lot of hypocrisy and hype going on. Here are a few examples to demonstrate my point:

• Earlier this year, KFC launched a 'Buckets for the Cure' campaign that promised to donate 50 cents from every bucket of fried chicken sold to 'end breast cancer forever.' Too bad KFC's chicken is loaded with cancer-causing chemicals like monosodium glutamate (MSG) and fried in trans-fat oils.


• Back in 2002, both Yoplait and Dannon painted their yogurt products pink, even though the milk used in their production came from cows treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). Despite reassurances from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that rBGH is safe, the artificial hormone chemical actually contributes to causing cancer.


• A Canadian gas station chain covers their stations in pink ribbons every year, even though the pollution caused by burned gasoline is linked cancer as well.

-Exceprts from Nautral News

I think that the amount of attention and funding that breast cancer receives is tremendous, and I hope that NHL will reach that level of support someday. However, we need to be cautious of companies simply looking to bolster their PR. Instead of buying a bracelet that proudly claims that you support cancer awareness, why not donate the same amount of money straight to the cause?

How can we escape?

Toxins are unavoidable in modern society. They are in the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. This sad fact is even more serious for today's youngest generations, as toxins are exceptionally dangerous during developmental stages. According to the Environmental Working Group, a baby born today may have over 200 various toxins already present in their blood stream. Celery, a common snack for kids, can contain up to 67 different pesticides (CNN). It was recently discovered that Johnson & Johnson infant shampoos contain toxic carcinogens such as formaldehyde (nj.com).

What can we do to protect our youngest loved ones? NaturalNews.com has a few suggestions. First, they suggest breastfeeding. The amount of nutrition obtained through breastfeeding simply cannot be matched by formulas or synthetic food substitutes. When children are ready for food, shopping organic is the surest way to avoid pesticides and other harmful environmental contaminants. Several all-natural companies also produce hygiene care for infants.

It's really scary to think that my sister Lucy's cancer could have been caused by these invisible dangers all around us. Even once we're educated about the dangers of various chemicals, avoiding them seems impossible in modern society. What's a big sis to do?

Kicking cancer again and again...

Battling cancer once in your life is more than enough for most people. Relapse is relatively common, and all too often, people are forced to face their demon a second time. Deny Dallaire has fought and defeat Hodgkin’s Lymphoma six times, and he is still with us today. According to Dallaire, there are only a dozen people on the entire planet who have experienced those odds and came out on top. Something changed in Dallaire on his sixth round of cancer, and he thinks he's finally figured out the key to warding off his disease. Below is his story:

My journey with cancer started in 1987. At 20 years old I was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. All my doctors told me that it was “very curable” and that treatments would last about 10 months total. What else could I do but put my life on hold for a year? Despite responding extremely well to the treatments, my cancer recurred again in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and again in 2004. Every time it recurred, the cancer responded well to treatment … but it kept coming back.

When my cancer recurred the last time, it was my wife Theresa’s first experience with cancer since we had only met two years prior. Not being one to idly sit by, she quickly did research on proper nutrition, vitamins and supplements, relaxation methods, exercises – you name it! Then, one day while reading a book, it hit me like a bus. I finally realized something that all the chemotherapy, radiation, surgeries and bone marrow transplants never taught me — In order for someone to be completely well, one needs to be healed on all three levels: body, mind and spirit.

When one of these components suffers, our entire being suffers. I soon took an even deeper interest in completely transforming my life. Theresa and I started running, completely overhauled our diet and began incorporating ways of keeping our mind and spirit healthy. Very quickly, I felt better than ever before. I wondered why I hadn’t already thought of this. Why had it taken me six kicks in the pants for me to realize this? I can only surmise that God sends us angels to guide us in the right direction. My wife is just such an angel, and because of her guidance, I am where I am today. (CrazySexyLife.com)

Dallaire pooled the knowledge gained from his six recoveries into a book, titled Many Shades of Green: Running Toward the Finish Line, One Cancer at a Time. He is alive and well, residing in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada with his wife Theresa. Dallaire continues to spread his inspirational message to others and lead the healthy, balanced life that saved him from his final round of cancer.

Avoid X-Rays!

Remember when your dentist would x-ray your teeth to check out your wisdom teeth? Perhaps you've broken a bone in the past, and a doctor had to take a better look with an x-ray. New research suggests that those x-rays may have caused more harm than good.

A recent study from the University of California-Berkley shows that diagnostic x-rays may increase the risk of childhood leukemia. X-rays expose patients to radiation, but in low levels. While high doses of radiation are known to cause cancer, there is still much debate surrounding the dangers of low-level radiation, such as x-rays. However, this study is part of a growing body of literature that suggests x-rays may in fact be deadly.

The bottom line is we have to be very cautious about the use of any medical imaging techniques," said Dr. Smith-Bindman. "They can be enormously helpful for making accurate diagnoses, but tests that deliver ionizing radiation are associated with small – but real – risks of future complications related to the radiation exposure, and thus they should be used judiciously. (UC Study)

In other words, avoid them if possible! But that may not be as easy as it sounds. According to Natural News, Americans receive more medical radiation than residents in any other country. This article also states that, "A recent Columbia University study estimated that 20 million adults and 1 million children are being exposed to unnecessary cancer risk from medical scans."

To safeguard against unnecessary radiation exposure, Natural News suggests that:

Patients concerned about their radiation exposure should always ask doctors if a radiation scan is necessary, whether radiation-free alternatives are available, if the scan has ever been performed on them before, how the dose will be adjusted for their sex and age, and if the doctor has a financial stake in the machines to be used. Radiologist Fred Mettler of the New Mexico Veterans Administration suggests asking for a copy of all tests performed.

Vitamin D Fights Cancer

Vitamin D can reduce cancer risk by 50%, according to NaturalNews.com. This miracle vitamin battles cancer by assisting with proper gene expression for more than 3,000
individual genes.

According to a study published in Genome Research, Vitamin D regulates genes which provide protection against many forms of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D specifically binds with these genes to provide a protective shield which dramatically reduces our risk of disease. Vitamin D also acts as a master blueprint for cellular replication, guiding the DNA strands with instructions to accurately divide during mitosis and provides critical guidance to prevent cellular proliferation, a hallmark of cancer metastasis. (NaturalNews.com)

However, approximately 85% of the population is Vitamin D deficient.
Simple blood tests can easily reveal your Vitamin D levels. If you are
Vitamin D deficient, sunlight and multivitamins are minor sources of
Vitamin D, but NaturalNews.com suggests an oil-based gelcap form
of Vitamin D instead.

Natural Sunlight - Is it good or bad?

There seems to be some controversy over the role of natural sunlight in the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Traditionally, doctors have advised patients to avoid direct sunlight. This logic stems from the fact that UV radiation from the sun can be harmful. However, some medical experts now say that exposure to natural sunlight may actually prevent NHL.

Natural sunlight enables Vitamin D production in the body. Vitamin D protects against bone loss, osteoporosis, schizophrenia and cancer. With regards to NHL, Australian researchers recently found that the benefits of sunlight outweighed the risk. Read more here.

Governor Beat NHL and Went on to Triathlons

Former South Dakota Governor Frank Farrar was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1992. He was told he had two months to live. Instead of giving up, he committed to triathlon training. Today, he is 81 years old and still competing.

This past Labor Day weekend marked the third annual Triple V Triathlon in South Dakota. The triathlon consists of 1/4-mile swim, a 14.2-mile bike route and a 3.1-mile run. For the second year in a row, Ferrar was the oldest competitor and this year he completed the event in 1:59:56.

Ferrar cites his triathlon training as the reason he defeated NHL. What an inspiring story. Rock on Ferrar!