Keeping the Brain Sharp

By Duane Estep

2 min read

Chemotherapy, turned out, was extremely tough on my mental skills and my memory. My oncologist provided a list of activities I could put to use that would aid in the improvement and maintenance of my mental capacities.

My wife and others brought it to my attention that over the course of my chemotherapy treatment, I was beginning to suffer from memory issues and focus issues. Seems I was also finding it hard to concentrate on any activity I might be performing.

Learning a new language

The items presented were 13 in number and could be utilized in any order, or I could just pick a few to spend more time on. One particular item caught my eye immediately: learn a new language. Over the prior decade, I had learned of my Scottish ancestors and my Scottish heritage. With this in mind, I had always wanted to try my luck at learning Scots-Gaelic. Gaelic is an ancient language spoken by my Scottish ancestors in the Highlands of Scotland.

My father, Floyd Elvis Estep’s (who passed from advanced prostate cancer with extensive bone metastasis Stage IV) parents were Estep’s of England and McCoy’s of Scotland by way of Ireland. The Esteps were leatherdressers and later styled glovers of Pettycoat Lane, Stepney, Middlesex, England. And the McCoys were descended from Clan MacKay of the far northwestern Scottish Highlands.

With my keen interest in acquiring knowledge of the Gaelic language, I immediately chose learning a new language as one of the skills I would concentrate upon. Other items on the list provided me, in no particular order: learn to dance, try your hand at puzzles, teach a new skill, learn a new skill, focus, meditate, do tai chi, build vocabulary, try a new route, listen to music, play cards, and use your senses.

Getting started

Choosing to initially focus on grasping a new language, I searched for a cheap and easy way to start. I settled on Gaelic with Jason, a YouTube channel operated by an educator in Scotland with a vast knowledge of Scots-Gaelic.

During the very first Gaelic lesson, I learned that learning a new language is good for our health and can give our mind a workout. It may even help fight off early symptoms of dementia. With that being true, I concluded learning a new language could surely help me fight off my memory and focus issues caused by chemotherapy.¹

You may want to try your hand at one of the other 13 strategies on the list, or you too may want to learn a new language. It does not have to be Scots-Gaelic; maybe your heritage would lend better to French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, or any other language. You may, as I have, find it fun and exhilarating.

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Sue Franke Moderator & Contributor
Wonderful that you found a way to help yourself deal with the chemo brain side effects that you really enjoy. Many of the things you listed as options are also recommended for those us who are getting older and more forgetful. I found myself doing challenging 1000 piece puzzles, crosswords, sudoku and cryptograms to make myself stretch and think a bit more. I agree it makes a difference. To keep our minds active, we have to keep stretching in different ways.
Beverly Baldwin Moderator & Contributor
Chemotherapy has so many side effects. My best friend has chemotherapy every 21 days fighting breast cancer at just 38 years old. I will share some of these strategies with her. These strategies are a great way to maintain focus and fight memory loss. It is also a way to learn more about your family lineage. I bet learning a new language helps in other ways with our day-to-day life as well. This is so cool! I wish you much success with learning the language of your ancestors. Beverly (Prostatecancer.net Moderator)
Jim Early Moderator & Contributor
I really enjoyed your post Duane. This is a topic that all of us over 70, or over 75 in my case, can read with interest. I have focused on two of these techniques myself. First, I study Spanish as a second language daily, and second, I have increased my daily walking and strengthening. There are a number of websites and online programs for learning languages and I have been even more diligent doing my lessons since I started ADT therapy. Another thing to remember when you are worried about a change in your sharpness is the role anxiety and depression can play in our perceived mental sharpness. When you are faced with cancer few of us can completely rid ourselves from occasionally dwelling negatively on the future. But it is important to remember that clinical depression can often masquerade as early dementia; and while all these sharpness techniques can help, a persistent sense of mental deterioration should prompt a good clinical evaluation in addition to all these wonderful ideas!
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Duane Estep" user-id="3259777"/> , this was such a great article. My father got PC at age 72. He is now 90 and learning how to use the computer. He was using a flip phone forever. I was so happy when he said he wanted a smartphone. But he is very active and never sits down. His favorite words are - An idle mind is the devil's workshop. I also believe this. You have to stay active to keep the mind sharp. Thanks for sharing.