Chemo Brain Or Am I Losing It???

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard of or already know what chemo brain is. If not, “Chemo Brain” is the name used to describe the changes in memory, concentration and thinking that sometimes happen during and after chemotherapy.

People affected by chemo brain describe it as:

Feeling “foggy” or “spacing out.”

Difficulty remembering details, conversations, words or facts such as names and dates and not being able to follow a conversation.

A reduced ability to process complex information or multitask

Having a short attention span and being easily distracted.

Being slower at certain tasks.

I find it super hard to watch television or a video that’s longer than 2–3 minutes. Writing, which was once my passion, is much harder, which is why these blog posts are difficult to write. We’ve all gotten up to go to the kitchen, then forgotten why; that is what every day is like for me with Chemo Brain.

Walking the dog:

Keys? Check, Poop bag? Check, Dog? Check. Get to the door, no leash or collar. The other day, I walked the dog, picked up the poop, walked pass the garbage can on the corner that I usually dispose of it in and brought the bag into the house with me. Ugh! Get on the phone to do something I have in mind; pick it up and the thought is gone. Recently, I keep a notepad nearby to write down my great ideas. When a thought pops in my head, I start to write it down and… blank. Poof! Thought gone.

The huge decline in cognitive function and ability to multitask is noticeable. I struggle with what would have been a simple task pre-chemo. My ability to manipulate and organize information has been severely diminished. My attention span is that of a gnat!! So if you ask me to do something, remember to ask multiple times and then check back with me… multiple times.

What bothers me most is forgetting a word during a conversation. I am often too tired to search for the word so I just stop the conversation.

From what I’ve read, (disclaimer: I don’t always remember everything accurately) most people improve when chemo is over, though a small percentage has Chemo Brain indefinitely. I wonder what happens to people like myself who have to continue chemo to stay alive. Will I wake up one day and not remember anything? Will my Chemo Brain turn into Alzheimers?