Physicological Problems With Chemo

My mother is 73 yrs old and has just finished
her 2nd round of chemo for Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
I just wanted to know if anyone out there has
ever experience mental problems with chemo.
She has always been very independant and has
never relied on anyone, but we have noticed
some very subtle changes about her , for example
crying all the time, and just not acting like
herself, she almost has a different personality
about her. She cannot be left alone at all. This
morning we found her naked in the living room.
She has never ever had any physicological problems in her whole life. We're very scared
and confused and wonder if shes ever going to
be the same again. We're wondering if she'll
ever be "normal"again.

have oncology order an MRI of her brain, attention frontal lobes, reason: personality changes, rule out metastases.

with luck, there will just be some changes consistent with her age, and no tumor. mantle cell can spread to the brain but it is darn rare.

sometimes when a patient has pre-Alzheimer's symptoms such as forgetfulness or emotional instability, they can be pushed over the edge by fatigue, stress or illness.

if oncology finds nothing to explain her behavior, get a referral to a mental health professional who has experience with cancer patients. just talking to someone might help - there are also medications that can help.

I just finished 2 yrs. since my chemo and radiation. The first 6-8 months I was in a black pit of depression. I was unable to think a good thought. All my emotions were negative. I went to Psychiatry and they started me on drugs and worked to get the right combination. It seemed to take forever to feel normal again. I still cannot access excitement or anticipation. I have a terrible memory, at times. Some things I have no recall at all, others can be brought back by telling me things about the event. I had a razor sharp memory and never had to study in my life. I could remember events by day, date, location, what each person said and what everyone was wearing. Now my family treats me like I am retarded. I am 56 yo and I am taking many steps to remember things I need to remember. After 2 yrs., I don't know if I will ever get to have the full range of positive emotions I once had, but I can hope.

May God bless you and yours!
Love,
Kitty in WA