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• November 5, 2012 12:38 a.m.

  health definition : Health is wealth.Health is most important in our life. If we shall Healthy we can do our all work .thanks for submit my links.

  - healhealthy

• May 23, 2012 4:41 a.m.

  I have loved books since I learned to read. They are the one constant pleasure in my life and have never let me down. In my cancer journey I read when I can't do anything else, and they take me away and let me forget for a little while. Abut chemo brain, it is very real and my cancer support centre even has lectures on it. We all laugh and blame everything on it, when we forget things. I have ordered "I don't know what to say" which is how to talk to people who are dying. It is very helpful I am told

  - Rosemary

• May 22, 2012 5:03 p.m.

  Sheryl that is an excellent idea. We do have a library with audios. We are a small town but we also have a lot of services. I do not know if you realize how beneficial your column is. Input from you and others are very helpful. Wish more would share their thoughts. I am feeling a bit better today and get lab work tomorrow. I just get down some times. It is such a long journey. Only someone that is going thru it can understand completely. I know when I talk to my onc. Thursday I will feel better again.I starat my cycle on Thursday and I think that brings me down. . I just get scared sometimes and do not want to bother friends with my problems. Interestingly enough I was an activity director at the local hospital for twenty years and used to get those audios for some of the patients with poor eye sight. I shall check tomorrow.

  - Anna

• May 22, 2012 12:07 p.m.

  Anna, you may want to consider audio books instead of reading. This way you can still have a chance to enjoy the benefits and not have to worry so much about tracking the words. If you have an iPhone or iPad, check out the Audiobooks App. Your public library should also have audiobooks or books on CD for you to listen to as well, check it out.

  - Sheryl Ness

• May 20, 2012 5:38 p.m.

  I also was a book reader. My husband and I have shared this hobbby for years. Both get a book and have background music and it was great. I have been on chemo for 8 months. Started with falsodex which was not effective for me (remember everyone reacts differently to meds) so I have been on xeloda. As time goes on I have become less interested in books as I cannot concentrate for long. I have even given up magazines and just look at pictures. I am so tired most of the time I wold rather sleep. Each task is an effort. I have tried gardening (another hobby) but I just cannot keep it up. Since every person is different with their cancer I do want to comment if you can concentrate reading is great taking you to another world and a host of information and interests. You guessed it. I am really down today...very discouraged. I have even thought of giving up on the treatment and let nature take it's course. But if you can read it is a wonderful escape.

  - Anna

• May 20, 2012 1:16 p.m.

  Is there anyone dealing with Multiple Myeloma? I am in remission, but must be on Dexamethasone. It is causing my Diabetes a lot of high sugar problems and a lot of other side effects. Actually, more then the chemo did. Weight gain is one of them.

  - Marge

• May 20, 2012 12:46 p.m.

  I am reading Love, Medicine and miracles by Bernie Siegel, M.D.. It has put mme in a hopeful state. I would like to share with anyone with bile duct cancer. I will share my e-mail or phone number. Thanks to all of you.

  - Evie

• May 20, 2012 11:01 a.m.

  Books have always been my refuge since I learned to read. I luv mysteries,suspense, biographies, and romance. Getting "lost" in books helps me reenergize as well as temporarily forgetting my troubles.

  - Joanne

• May 19, 2012 8:34 p.m.

  I'm very curious about the term "chemo brain". In this newsletter Mayo is saying maybe there is no such thing? In 2003 I was diagnosed w/ 3rd stage breast cancer. I was just about a "book a week" reader until I completed the chemo and radiation treatments. My "reading for enjoyment" plummeted to about a book a year, until 2011. With my inability to concentrate came almost all the symptoms in this article.If the scientists that be say there may be no such thing, could it be caused by possibly the type of cancer and/or the type of chemo/radiation used. Trust me, I am living proof that this malady exists, but I am wondering if it could be caused by an allergy to the treatment? Most of the other symptoms are still w/me, and you can add a good measure of frustration and fear also. The breast specialist that gave me a second opinion ironically had had almost the exact same case I did & we became kind of friends. She had to give up surgery because of "chemo brain" and I believe ultimately medicine since she was young (late 50's)and retired early. Wherever you are Dr."C", I hope you are well.

  - Pat

• May 19, 2012 1:05 p.m.

  yes I too have started sitting down with different kinds of books and spend some time in exploring othr worlds or other times. It is a civilized way to spend an afternoon, filling gaps and generally satisfying my curiosity. Girls/boys, let's continue enjoy and experience life at its possible fullest even if our hand of cards is not the luckiest! Much love to everybody*

  - louise

• May 18, 2012 11:34 a.m.

  Marlene- I am sorry to hear about your mother's terminal cancer. There are books and materials that can help you prepare for this time. On Mayoclinic.com, Chaplain Mary Johnson has written a wonderful summary on Caring for a loved one who has a terminal illness - see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/grief/CA00041 Cancer.Net also has a good overview of Care During the Final Days at http://www.cancer.net/patient/Coping/End-of-Life+Care/Care+During+the+Final+Days Another great resource is a book called Gone From My Sight, written by Barbara Karnes.

  - Sheryl Ness

• May 18, 2012 6:20 a.m.

  My Mom has follicular lymphoma state four. Her mass is in the lung and they tell me she is terminal. Is there material I can study to learn what to expect and how to help her.

  - Marlene

• May 17, 2012 8:24 p.m.

  I also find having a loving cat curled up by my side is wonderful. Sitting in the sun listening to the birds, watching butterflies flit by and the clouds passing overhead also relaxes me.

  - Margaret

• May 17, 2012 8:22 p.m.

  Thanks Cynthia. I will look up these authors as I too have found reading a wonderful way to pass the hours whilst recuperating from chemo and or to distract myself from thinking too much of the future.

  - Margaret

• May 17, 2012 7:27 p.m.

  Surely there are a lot of readers out here in cancerland! Here are a few suggestions for the women: Anything by Lionel Shriver, try "So Much for That" for openers. Katherine Russell Rich wrote a wonderful memoir of her cancer experience with "The Red Devil". To get away from cancer try anything by Jane Gardam, Iris Murdoch, on the lighter side, Deborah Crombie, Elizabeth Berg, I could go on & on but this will give you a few choices I hope! Would love to hear from other readers for suggestions. (By the way, sitting outdoors with a lemonade or ice tea, bug guard of some sort, dog by my side, a book for a companion, nothing beats it. Hope to live long enough to enjoy lots more reading.) Found a great site for those who can't get out to the library or whatever - thriftbooks.com - free shipping on any amount.

  - Cynthia