Jan. 28, 2005 (Vol. 2, No. 1)
The LTFU newsletter is sent quarterly to people who have undergone treatment through Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's transplant program.
Read this e-newsletter online at: http://www.fhcrc.org/about/pubs/enews/ltfu-enews/2005-01/

Dear Friends:

About 50 percent of patients who have had a bone-marrow or blood-stem-cell transplant during the past 10 years report that they have a hard time remembering things, and memory tests confirm that these problems are real.

Treatment before transplant or medications used after transplant can affect memory. Depression, anxiety, prolonged stress and even natural aging processes might also contribute to problems with memory and concentration.

Behavioral scientists at Fred Hutchinson have used special testing to evaluate how a marrow or blood-stem-cell transplant might affect mental skill and physical coordination. We still have much to learn about the causes of problems with memory and coordination.

The study describes "average" results for a group of patients. The experience of any one person can differ from the average. It is also possible that the tests could not detect some of the changes experienced by patients.

This issue of the newsletter contains some suggestions for coping with memory problems (see Frequently Asked Questions). We hope that you will find these suggestions to be helpful.

Best regards,
Paul Martin, M.D.
Director, Long-Term Follow-Up


Frequently Asked Questions
1. What can I do to help remember things?
There are a number of small things you can do to that will help you cope with memory loss, including writing things down and posting written reminders in places that are easy to see.

Read more details at: http://www.fhcrc.org/clinical/ltfu/faqs/memory_problems#a


2. What can I do to improve my memory and thinking?
Exercise your mind just as you would exercise your body. Studies have shown that fun activities such as playing chess, doing crossword puzzles, playing a musical instrument or learning ballroom dancing can keep your mind sharp.

Read more detatils at: http://www.fhcrc.org/clinical/ltfu/faqs/memory_problems#b


3. Can my diet or my activity level affect my memory and thinking?
Some studies have shown that diet and regular cardiovascular exercise can affect memory and keep the brain "younger."

Read more details at: http://www.fhcrc.org/clinical/ltfu/faqs/memory_problems#c


Former Patient Profile
An ongoing journey to health
In his first year of medical school, Jerry Liebermann was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). He was given only three years to live. That was 26 years ago.

Read more about Jerry Liebermann at:
http://www.fhcrc.org/patient/patient_stories/jerry.html


Staff Profile
Doing Wright by patients
Responsive, team-oriented care for post-transplant patients is the goal of Fred Hutchinson's Long-Term Follow-Up Unit (LTFU). It's Stephanie Wright's job to keep a close eye on the details.

Read more about Stephanie Wright at:
http://www.fhcrc.org/clinical/ltfu/staff/wright.html


Featured Readings
Temporary setbacks
Many patients who undergo bone-marrow or stem-cell transplantation experience a decline in mental skill and physical coordination after treatment. A new Fred Hutchinson study shows that these effects are largely temporary and that most patients can expect a return to normal function within a year of their transplant.

Read more about transplant recovery at:
http://www.fhcrc.org/pubs/center_news/2004/oct21/sart3.html


Educational Events
Brown bag discussions
This group provides peer support and education to participants. All transplant and returning follow-up patients are welcome to attend and share their experiences. Participation can be in person or by conference call. A faculty member will join us one or two weeks a month to provide insight and education on various aspects of the transplant process. This group is co-facilitated by a clinical social worker and an LTFU nurse. Bring your lunch if pressed for time. Space is limited to 50 participants.

When: Every Thursday, 12-1 p.m.

Where: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave. E., Sixth Floor, Room 23

To participate in the discussion via conference call, dial 1-620-782-8214. At the prompt, enter 19427#. You will be charged a long-distance fee. If you need financial help, we can provide you with a phone card.

Questions? Contact Heather Lucas, LTFU coordinator, at (206) 288-1137.


If you have any medical or long-term follow-up questions, call (206) 667-4415.
If you have comments or questions about the newsletter or would like to be added to or deleted from our mailing list, contact Kathy Erne at (206) 667-4745 or by e-mail at ltfunews@fhcrc.org. You are also welcome to subscribe to receive an electronic version of the newsletter via e-mail by visiting http://www.fhcrc.org/about/pubs/enews/ltfu-enews/index.html.



Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, home of three Nobel laureates, is an independent, nonprofit research institution dedicated to the development and advancement of biomedical technology to eliminate cancer and other potentially fatal diseases.

For information on Fred Hutchinson's privacy policy, go to:
http://www.fhcrc.org/termsofuse_privacypolicy.html

ISSN 1541-7177
Copyright 2005
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
P.O. Box 19024
Seattle, WA 98109-1024
www.fhcrc.org