3c Dave wrote:but I still cant remember names and....well...you guys know.
Much Aloha...
ibcaree wrote:I feel your pain. I still have chemo brain 8 years later. Pre-chemo I had no memory issues, great attention to detail and ability to multi-task. Now I'm left blankly staring while in mid conversation searching for the word I want to use. I also feel like I have full on ADD as it takes so much energy to keep my attention anymore. It is embarrassing and scares me to think about how bad my memory will be when I'm elderly. The hardest part is knowing that people think you are an air head or making up excuses when you try to explain. I'd love to get some real help for this as well.
Sewhappy - Interesting article. I didn't have any memory issues prior to chemo though...only after chemo.
ozziej wrote:Just wanted to share my experience as it's relevant to this thread. Despite not having any chemo (Stage 1 so surgery only) I experienced some of the cognitive issues reported as chemo brain, such as poor concentration and difficulty multitasking. This was very unlike me, as I had been a voracious reader prior to diagnosis. As I'd had no chemo I looked to the dementia literature for ideas. About 5 months ago I started learning another language. The difference it's made to my cognitive functioning has been amazing. I've gone from not being able to finish a few sentences in the newspaper to reading academic research papers again. I'm sure that 'chemo' brain will turn out to be a multi faceted phenomenon but I can't help noticing that in the research literature little consideration has been given to the idea that a life threatening diagnosis might trigger PTSD symptoms including cognitive deficits. Now that a separate non-chemo group has been identified as having these symptoms perhaps that will change and research might focus on psychological as well as pharmacological intervention.
justin case wrote:Really, after 43 years in my trade, I don't forget how to do what I do, but I am less patient to those that think they know more, and have learned to pay less attention to what they say. In other words, it's no longer my cause to give advice, that will be discarded! I have learned to concentrate on ME, so I don't forget those around ME, who are trying to help .. I know I said ME more than once, so's perhaps if you worry more about you; than what others think, you can find a place where concentration is less a challenge. It's pretty darn easy to blame everything on Cancer, rather than look inside yourself, and change your perspective ! I forget things all the time, I write notes to myself, I'm 61, and deserve to finally make a few mistakes! JMHO
Michael
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