Blonde Moment or Chemo Brain?

tasha_111
tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Or am I just going completely mad? Argghhhhhhhh! I get so gormless sometimes I just can't believe what I am thinking or saying (or NOT saying)..My main problem is money, I count it out in the shop and it looks fine to me, then they hand me $20 or $10 or whatever back and look at me like I am am total plank! Maybe I should stick to my plastic friend for a while, even though I can't remember to pay the monthly bill for THAT!... Oh Dear

Hugs J xxxx
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Comments

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    I forget
    How long did you say it's been since chemo treatment? I read an article that said chemo brain moments could still happen years later! I don't know if I believe that but I use it when it's handy.
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    Marcia527 said:

    I forget
    How long did you say it's been since chemo treatment? I read an article that said chemo brain moments could still happen years later! I don't know if I believe that but I use it when it's handy.

    Oh Dear
    It's only been 6 months since I finished the poison..........I guess I have a long way to go eh?
    Hugs J xxxxxxxx
  • peggy65
    peggy65 Member Posts: 100
    tasha_111 said:

    Oh Dear
    It's only been 6 months since I finished the poison..........I guess I have a long way to go eh?
    Hugs J xxxxxxxx

    i have the same problem. i
    i have the same problem. i really can't remember some things and it is quite embarrassing.you know i can't remember people's names, etc. forget to turn on the stove to roast the dinner, things like that. oh please!!! yeah, i have heard that this can last over a two year period, hopefully not a lifetime. blessings, peggy
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    Chemo brain?
    I am 5 1/2 yrs out from treatment. I still like to blame chemo brain on my blond moments. Like the other night I was trying to change the TV station with the telephone. Can any one beat that one?

    Love ya Julia
    Hugs
    Jadie
  • Chellebug
    Chellebug Member Posts: 133
    Jadie said:

    Chemo brain?
    I am 5 1/2 yrs out from treatment. I still like to blame chemo brain on my blond moments. Like the other night I was trying to change the TV station with the telephone. Can any one beat that one?

    Love ya Julia
    Hugs
    Jadie

    A few hours after making
    A few hours after making myself a cup of coffee the other morning, I found the creamer bottle in the microwave. I had no recollection of putting it there!
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    Stop Me if you've heard this one....
    I dunno, Sweet Tasha~ being as we can only presume you ever HAD blond hair, how are we to know if you are mad or not??? LOL

    I live with my sweet Native American, and on the Indian Reservation where we lived during my treatment, I said I didn't have chemo-brain, but instead Kemo-Sabe Brain. Let me know if I need to explain that reference to you~ I remember you not knowing who The Peanuts gang (Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, et al) were, so this one might not be in your life experience either!

    My biggest non cognitive function is not remembering who I told what to~ or if I told it at all! I have a grand fear of being one of those ppl who repeats the same story 17 times over to the same person as if I have never uttered it previously! It probably isn't chemo related at all~ perhaps just natures's way of saying, "Shut Up, Claudia"!

    This too shall pass...

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    chenheart said:

    Stop Me if you've heard this one....
    I dunno, Sweet Tasha~ being as we can only presume you ever HAD blond hair, how are we to know if you are mad or not??? LOL

    I live with my sweet Native American, and on the Indian Reservation where we lived during my treatment, I said I didn't have chemo-brain, but instead Kemo-Sabe Brain. Let me know if I need to explain that reference to you~ I remember you not knowing who The Peanuts gang (Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, et al) were, so this one might not be in your life experience either!

    My biggest non cognitive function is not remembering who I told what to~ or if I told it at all! I have a grand fear of being one of those ppl who repeats the same story 17 times over to the same person as if I have never uttered it previously! It probably isn't chemo related at all~ perhaps just natures's way of saying, "Shut Up, Claudia"!

    This too shall pass...

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Charlie Brown and Kemo-Sabe
    I remember well The peanuts crew and Have very fond memories of the medicine wheel and sweats of the Native American's..bet it will be a long time before i could participate in a sweat now..as your heart health etc. must be good. My problem is the little absent mindness's like putting things away and then not being able to find them etc. etc. I wonder if our minds are just so boggled down with everything we have to remember/go through that there is no more space left in their for the little things??? Good excuse.. I tried!!More likely i have always had and was born with Kemo-Sabe Brain. LOL
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    rjjj said:

    Charlie Brown and Kemo-Sabe
    I remember well The peanuts crew and Have very fond memories of the medicine wheel and sweats of the Native American's..bet it will be a long time before i could participate in a sweat now..as your heart health etc. must be good. My problem is the little absent mindness's like putting things away and then not being able to find them etc. etc. I wonder if our minds are just so boggled down with everything we have to remember/go through that there is no more space left in their for the little things??? Good excuse.. I tried!!More likely i have always had and was born with Kemo-Sabe Brain. LOL

    LOL Jackie. That's probably
    LOL Jackie. That's probably the excuse for all of us. I really am getting worse instead of better as the days go by. I thought I would improve since I finished chemo 11/07 but is it still chemo brain or just forgetfulness? OR....... God forbid old age. Hahaha, Lili
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159

    LOL Jackie. That's probably
    LOL Jackie. That's probably the excuse for all of us. I really am getting worse instead of better as the days go by. I thought I would improve since I finished chemo 11/07 but is it still chemo brain or just forgetfulness? OR....... God forbid old age. Hahaha, Lili

    Helpful Hint to Stimulate Memory
    You know how many of us, myself included have gone into a room to get something, only to forget what we came in for? And then we go back to the place we started, and into the room again, and Bingo! We can usually remember what we were after? I was given a very hand hint, and I have been using it with great results for over a year now.

    Instead of leaving the room and starting over~stay where you are and force your brain to recall what you came for! Not only is it great mental stimulation, I am truly amazed at how many times, with minimal effort, I actually do remember! And then I give myself a mental high-five. Well deserved, I might add!

    Try it...make your brain work; it will thank you for it.

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    chenheart said:

    Helpful Hint to Stimulate Memory
    You know how many of us, myself included have gone into a room to get something, only to forget what we came in for? And then we go back to the place we started, and into the room again, and Bingo! We can usually remember what we were after? I was given a very hand hint, and I have been using it with great results for over a year now.

    Instead of leaving the room and starting over~stay where you are and force your brain to recall what you came for! Not only is it great mental stimulation, I am truly amazed at how many times, with minimal effort, I actually do remember! And then I give myself a mental high-five. Well deserved, I might add!

    Try it...make your brain work; it will thank you for it.

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Chen..........
    Hey Claudia..........You wonderful lady, does this apply to blondes with a streak of turquoise?...or those of us who are just bonkers anyway?.........

    Luv Ya Hun XXXXXXXXXXXXX
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    tasha_111 said:

    Chen..........
    Hey Claudia..........You wonderful lady, does this apply to blondes with a streak of turquoise?...or those of us who are just bonkers anyway?.........

    Luv Ya Hun XXXXXXXXXXXXX

    Of course it does!!!!
    I'm sure it applies even to blondes who are streaking through this maze called Life! With or without turquoise.

    All I know is, with legs as long as mine, maneuvering my way through all the cramped spaces is a challenge in and of itself~ so when I can I Stay Put And Think!! Ya know, that just might be a bumper sticker....

    Hugs, and I luv you too!!!

    Claudia
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    chenheart said:

    Helpful Hint to Stimulate Memory
    You know how many of us, myself included have gone into a room to get something, only to forget what we came in for? And then we go back to the place we started, and into the room again, and Bingo! We can usually remember what we were after? I was given a very hand hint, and I have been using it with great results for over a year now.

    Instead of leaving the room and starting over~stay where you are and force your brain to recall what you came for! Not only is it great mental stimulation, I am truly amazed at how many times, with minimal effort, I actually do remember! And then I give myself a mental high-five. Well deserved, I might add!

    Try it...make your brain work; it will thank you for it.

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    I have a theory
    I have a theory about the going into one place and forgeting why and going back to where you had the thought and you remember. We are all comics and we left the one panel without the that thought balloon over our head so we go back and there it is.
    Claudia, I like your idea. It would be a good mental stimulation. When I can't remember a name I go through the alphabet and usually it comes to me. I do these forgetting things and I didn't have chemo just the chemo brain I guess. I would say its age but I have always done this. And I'm not even blonde. I must be the exception to the rule.
    Stef
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    fauxma said:

    I have a theory
    I have a theory about the going into one place and forgeting why and going back to where you had the thought and you remember. We are all comics and we left the one panel without the that thought balloon over our head so we go back and there it is.
    Claudia, I like your idea. It would be a good mental stimulation. When I can't remember a name I go through the alphabet and usually it comes to me. I do these forgetting things and I didn't have chemo just the chemo brain I guess. I would say its age but I have always done this. And I'm not even blonde. I must be the exception to the rule.
    Stef

    Vacant...
    I often get into the supermarket and just stand there doing a great impression of my goldfish (eyes goggling, mouth opening and closing, looking around for inspiration)..Take a list.. you say. I do, I just don't remember where i put it or if i even made one this time. Then I get into the car and some nefarious bugger has waltzed off with my steering wheel and foot pedals, then I spot them on the LEFT hand side. I just get myself in position and can't remember which side of the road I'm meant to be on until some large Hairy lumberjack in a oversized pick-up gives me some meaningful hand signals. I eventually get nearly home and go to change gear----wrong hand, grab the door handle instead of the gearstick, open the door and fall out of the car. I think I'll look at shopping online. Luv all J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    tasha_111 said:

    Vacant...
    I often get into the supermarket and just stand there doing a great impression of my goldfish (eyes goggling, mouth opening and closing, looking around for inspiration)..Take a list.. you say. I do, I just don't remember where i put it or if i even made one this time. Then I get into the car and some nefarious bugger has waltzed off with my steering wheel and foot pedals, then I spot them on the LEFT hand side. I just get myself in position and can't remember which side of the road I'm meant to be on until some large Hairy lumberjack in a oversized pick-up gives me some meaningful hand signals. I eventually get nearly home and go to change gear----wrong hand, grab the door handle instead of the gearstick, open the door and fall out of the car. I think I'll look at shopping online. Luv all J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    The Beverly Hillbillies
    The Beverly Hillbillies thought that hand signal was a howdy do.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    tasha_111 said:

    Vacant...
    I often get into the supermarket and just stand there doing a great impression of my goldfish (eyes goggling, mouth opening and closing, looking around for inspiration)..Take a list.. you say. I do, I just don't remember where i put it or if i even made one this time. Then I get into the car and some nefarious bugger has waltzed off with my steering wheel and foot pedals, then I spot them on the LEFT hand side. I just get myself in position and can't remember which side of the road I'm meant to be on until some large Hairy lumberjack in a oversized pick-up gives me some meaningful hand signals. I eventually get nearly home and go to change gear----wrong hand, grab the door handle instead of the gearstick, open the door and fall out of the car. I think I'll look at shopping online. Luv all J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    I love it
    Not the chemo brain, your stories, Julia. I have it, too. The other day I poured water from a pitcher into a mug. Instead of putting the mug into the microwave to heat for tea, I tried to stuff the whole pitcher in there. The John's Hopkins article that Kathi posted said that chemo brain is real and can last for three years. I'm sure it gets better though. It's not as if you have it and then on the third anniversary, boom, you're a rocket scientist. Anyway, I think the mental exercises can help a lot. My mom does this because she is deathly afraid of Alzheimer’s disease. Exercising your brain helps build new synapses and can actually increase your brain capacity. So, everyone go out there and learn a new language or something!

    Mimi
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    mimivac said:

    I love it
    Not the chemo brain, your stories, Julia. I have it, too. The other day I poured water from a pitcher into a mug. Instead of putting the mug into the microwave to heat for tea, I tried to stuff the whole pitcher in there. The John's Hopkins article that Kathi posted said that chemo brain is real and can last for three years. I'm sure it gets better though. It's not as if you have it and then on the third anniversary, boom, you're a rocket scientist. Anyway, I think the mental exercises can help a lot. My mom does this because she is deathly afraid of Alzheimer’s disease. Exercising your brain helps build new synapses and can actually increase your brain capacity. So, everyone go out there and learn a new language or something!

    Mimi

    Chemo Brain
    Blimey, I think I'm being so gormless at times, I wonder why they don't just straight-jacket me and bundle me into a white van! I am trying the "Broadening your Mind" bit though, I regularly run through the alphabet of latin plant names........or try to. I used to be able to do it, and i'm getting back there so it must be getting at least a little bit better eh?. Maybe next week I'll be able to come up with all of the turquoise ones?..Yeah! Party Time!!!!!!!!!!! Wooooohooooooooo

    Luv J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    tasha_111 said:

    Chemo Brain
    Blimey, I think I'm being so gormless at times, I wonder why they don't just straight-jacket me and bundle me into a white van! I am trying the "Broadening your Mind" bit though, I regularly run through the alphabet of latin plant names........or try to. I used to be able to do it, and i'm getting back there so it must be getting at least a little bit better eh?. Maybe next week I'll be able to come up with all of the turquoise ones?..Yeah! Party Time!!!!!!!!!!! Wooooohooooooooo

    Luv J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    Yes!
    See, there you go. There's no way I could recite Latin plant names. Damn, I can't think of a thing I can recite. I used to memorize soliloquies from Shakespeare. Maybe I'll try that again. "To be or not to be..."
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    mimivac said:

    Yes!
    See, there you go. There's no way I could recite Latin plant names. Damn, I can't think of a thing I can recite. I used to memorize soliloquies from Shakespeare. Maybe I'll try that again. "To be or not to be..."

    That is the question...............
    Latin must be easy next to Shakespeare...........the man was completely nuts! Or maybe I just didn't understand the writing. Anyway Great to see you back and looking so well! Hugs J xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    tasha_111 said:

    That is the question...............
    Latin must be easy next to Shakespeare...........the man was completely nuts! Or maybe I just didn't understand the writing. Anyway Great to see you back and looking so well! Hugs J xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    In fact, Ivlia
    As I have been telling college students for the last 25 years, the streets of ancient Rome were chock full of snot-nosed three-year-olds whining to mama about how their big sister just hit them or how hungry they were or were they there yet - all in fluent Latin.
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    Aortus said:

    In fact, Ivlia
    As I have been telling college students for the last 25 years, the streets of ancient Rome were chock full of snot-nosed three-year-olds whining to mama about how their big sister just hit them or how hungry they were or were they there yet - all in fluent Latin.

    OHHHHHHHHHHH bUGGER
    you two are too much!............but lovely with it............Festina Lente.............HUGS J xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx