Chemo Brain temp or perm?

TMac52
TMac52 Member Posts: 352
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi All,
It's been awhile since I posted on this site, I lurk once in awhile and respond once in awhile but its been way too long since Ive been involved here but for good reason. I've been involved in my life and my career and not worrying about cancer for a change. I feel very blessed to have been touched by so many people here, and when I was down and out you guys helped me survive through a year and a half of torchure. I know some of you have many more years of this torchure under your belts and i'm sensitive to that. I am one lucky SOB to be cancer free. I hope I stay this way.
I have a question for those who have experienced this. My short term memory is shot.
I am embarrassing myself in business situations constantly. In personal situations I can deal with it but when a client tells me he asked me to attend a meeting or says we talked about this two days ago or yesterday and I have absolutly no recollection of it happening it's scary. The memory of the event comes back slowly but way too late I'm already looking like an idiot. It wasnt like that before cancer treatment and I know I'm not suffering from demensia so it's got to be from the chemo.
I know I have seen post's on chemo brain in the past, but wanted a fresh take on the suject with those active here today that have expeience with this issue.
Can it be permanent or will it be temporary????
I'm interested in all responses.
Tom

Comments

  • neons356
    neons356 Member Posts: 57 Member
    #2
    My own experience
    Hi Tom,
    I definitely suffered from chemo brain big time, and I have to say that with time it got better but many years later my short term memory still sucks. I've had to learn to adjust to the situation by making sure I always have a pad and pencil handy so I can write down anything important. It's still embarrassing sometimes, my S O thinks that I don't listen to her (lots of times under normal circumstances women don't think we pay attention to them) but she's begun to understand that I have a problem and she tries to help me out. I wish that I could tell you that you'll get back to the way it was before the beast, maybe with time it will but in my case it never did. Try and find a way around it if you can. Write it down, use a PDA, explain the situation to those close to you and ask them to help you out, whatever it takes.
    Carl
  • TMac52
    TMac52 Member Posts: 352
    #3
    neons356 said:

    My own experience
    Hi Tom,
    I definitely suffered from chemo brain big time, and I have to say that with time it got better but many years later my short term memory still sucks. I've had to learn to adjust to the situation by making sure I always have a pad and pencil handy so I can write down anything important. It's still embarrassing sometimes, my S O thinks that I don't listen to her (lots of times under normal circumstances women don't think we pay attention to them) but she's begun to understand that I have a problem and she tries to help me out. I wish that I could tell you that you'll get back to the way it was before the beast, maybe with time it will but in my case it never did. Try and find a way around it if you can. Write it down, use a PDA, explain the situation to those close to you and ask them to help you out, whatever it takes.
    Carl

    Thanks Carl
    Maybe I'll get a tape recorder and record everything
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #4
    Tom
    LOL, I have to relearn math every morning before class. My short term memory does seem quite bad. But I've discovered some great advantages, I can re-watch movies and remember very little of them each time, so that they seem new, the same with books, I find that I save a lot of money on the purchase of books as I can re-read them several times and discover I only remember little bits of them. I'm waiting for a couple of movies to come to DVD so I can watch them over again and again, I do remember I enjoyed them, I just can't remember them exactly. I know that one of them had to do with Sherlock Holmes, I can remember the laughter and the suspense, but little else, so what greater enjoyment then seeing it again??
    As for everything else that is important, I try to write it down, I try to say it over and over in my brain until I can get to a pen and paper, sometimes it doesn't always work, it's gone by the time I get to the paper. I'm hoping with time it will improve. I wish I had some great tips for you, but I can't remember them. What I really hate is remembering something wrong, now that's bad.
    Yes, it is terrible, this memory thing, I can only commiserate with you as I don't have a solution to the problem.
    Winter Marie
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #5
    I'm so glad you asked about
    I'm so glad you asked about this Tom. We went through treatment the same time and I have the same thing happening. At work, and I started a new job, learned a new position with 2 computer programs and a lot of infmation. I have to write everything down and ask how to do things daily that I should remember. My partner knows what I went through so tolerates my constant questioning but I feel so stupid for not remembering simple things.

    miss you buddy, gail
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #6
    Chemo Brain
    I've found that the further I can get away from chemo, the better my....oh yeah, my memory gets. I have a small mp3 player that has a voice recorder built it. I use it when I'm in a situation where there's a lot of information coming at me. It can be very intimidating. The idea that was posted about having a notepad handy is great too for keeping a To Do List.
    I've also found that playing Scrabble or Words With Friends helps keep me sharp too. It's amazing how I was playing right after chemo and then a few days later. Big difference, I feel it helps keep my mind sharp.
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #7
    PhillieG said:

    Chemo Brain
    I've found that the further I can get away from chemo, the better my....oh yeah, my memory gets. I have a small mp3 player that has a voice recorder built it. I use it when I'm in a situation where there's a lot of information coming at me. It can be very intimidating. The idea that was posted about having a notepad handy is great too for keeping a To Do List.
    I've also found that playing Scrabble or Words With Friends helps keep me sharp too. It's amazing how I was playing right after chemo and then a few days later. Big difference, I feel it helps keep my mind sharp.

    Hey Tom....what phil said
    Hey Tom....what phil said about writing notes down and the momory games...I do those too. Just have to remember to go back and play them. lol...(kidding I remember). But I do try to make my brain do extra things like that. Kind of like homework.
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #8
    TMac52 said:

    Thanks Carl
    Maybe I'll get a tape recorder and record everything

    smart phones
    All have a recording device built in, they just need a proper app. I use my either my android phone or my ipad to record important doctor visits.

    A good app will get a better recording. Download a couple, play with the settings and see if you can get one that will work for you. It's much better than carrying a second device, and a bit easier to record without explaining yourself to the other party.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #9
    plh4gail said:

    Hey Tom....what phil said
    Hey Tom....what phil said about writing notes down and the momory games...I do those too. Just have to remember to go back and play them. lol...(kidding I remember). But I do try to make my brain do extra things like that. Kind of like homework.

    Gail



    My advice with Scrabble or WWF is just because someone is from Singapore that doesn't mean she can't beat me 500 to 125 (if I even did that good). I totally forgot she's an English teacher and Scrabble nerd. The good thing is now when someone beats me a lot, I sick Boo (her nickname) on them. She's also a cancer survivor (stomach cancer). I met her blogging about 6 years ago... Love her!
  • Jaylo969
    Jaylo969 Member Posts: 824 Member
    #10
    Hey Tom
    It will be 2 years in May since my last chemo tx. My mind/brain has only improved a little. I have good days where I can almost pass as being 'normal', and bad days where people take a step back when I am trying to make a sentence.

    I have wallpapered my fridge with notes, reminders, and appointment cards. I keep a day planner but usually forget that I have it. I keep 'To do' lists in the same place at all times and refer to them frequently.

    My memory lapses bothered me real bad at first but I have learned to adapt and if all else fails to laugh at myself. When I get into a situation where I feel the need to make an explanation I usually say "Please forgive me. Chemo did a job on my short term memory. I'll try my best to remember your name in the future." ( this is when I am talking to one of my kids!...LOL)

    Best wishes!
    -Pat

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