Chemo brain, it’s a real thing!
Memory is a tricky thing under normal circumstances, and when you start to have delayed recall of information or names, it’s easy to say it has something to do with being older. I attribute it instead to the chemo I’ve had and lay the blame for not remembering things squarely on this cancer treatment. Seems only fair! And who’s going to tell me that’s not right?
Chemobrain is talked—and joked—about but really does seem to happen now and then. It’s like a tape is playing and then there’s a small gap…..then it picks up again. I’ve called my cell phone the car keys, the dishwasher a washing machine. It’s not too awful really. “Remember the guy at the place with the thing that day?” hasn’t happened yet.
When I have moments where I mentally skip a beat, It’s not something that troubles me much, I’ve come to have more patience with myself and how quickly things need to be done or said. And my recall is pretty good overall. It was part of my plan to stay focused and keep myself challenged. I regularly repeated medical information, names of medicines, names of nurses and doctors who came through. I reviewed schedules and timeframes in my head. Sometimes I’d mentally walk through my gardens and repeat the names of plants and what was in each bed to keep that top of mind. This was also a good way to fall asleep quickly!
Improving your level of concentration allows you to improve your mental abilities. Through meditation and focus, your capacity to concentrate becomes more consistently improved. It may be as simple as having better focus and shutting out the noise, or to simply rest your mind, but there’s no denying that clearing the mental decks once in awhile has some strong benefits.
I’ve added two sources on this topic that may be of interest. The first comes from Cancer Care, an organization that supports people undergoing treatments. And the other is American Cancer Society. Hopefully some of these suggestions may help you—with our without chemo!
Cancer Care: Coping with Chemobrain and Keeping Your Memory Sharp
Some info for your brain during this time:
Chemo brain doesn’t last—usually only during the active treatments and for about 6 months later. (Dec 2016, Journal of Clinical Oncology)
Use a detailed daily planner, notebooks, reminder notes, or your smart phone.. Keeping everything in one place makes it easier to find the reminders you may need. You might want to keep track of appointments and schedules, “to do” lists, important dates, websites, phone numbers and addresses, meeting notes, and even movies you’d like to see or books you’d like to read.
Do the most demanding tasks at the time of they day when you feel your energy levels are the highest.
Exercise your brain. Take a class, do word puzzles, or learn a new language.
Get enough rest and sleep.
Keep moving. Regular physical activity is not only good for your body, but also improves your mood, makes you feel more alert, and decreases tiredness (fatigue).
Eat veggies. Studies have shown that eating more vegetables is linked to keeping brain power as people age.
Set up and follow routines. Try to keep the same daily schedule.
Pick a certain place for commonly lost objects (like keys) and put them there each time. Commit to leaving things in the same place and create repetition.
Try not to multi-task. Focus on one thing at a time.
Ask for help when you need it. Friends and loved ones can help with daily tasks to cut down on distractions and help you save mental energy.
Track your memory problems. Keep a diary of when you notice problems and what’s going on at the time. Medicines taken, time of day, and the situation you’re in might help you figure out what affects your memory. Keeping track of when the problems are most noticeable can also help you prepare. You’ll know to avoid planning important conversations or appointments during those times. This record will also be useful when you talk with your doctor about these problems.
Try not to focus on how much these symptoms bother you. Accepting the problem will help you deal with it. As many patients have noted, being able to laugh about things you can’t control can help you cope. And remember, you probably notice your problems much more than others do.
—American Cancer Society
