How to Manage Memory Loss from Chemotherapy

“Chemo brain” or memory loss after chemo has recently moved to the forefront of cancer studies. Doctors and scientists are now making an effort to study and understand this often upsetting and debilitating side effect from the powerful drugs used to combat cancer. Doctors have found that memory loss from chemo is usually short term but it can affect the ability to think quickly, focus, and multi-task.Battling cancer is a personal war against a terrifying and invasive disease. Providing a specific example from a cancer survivor gives credibility to any information being provided to aid chemotherapy side effects. Four years after finishing her final round of chemo, my mother still suffers from memory loss. We call it “being dippy.” Her memory loss is not excessive, but it is a regular part of her life. For example, she’ll call with something to say and make the same call 10 minutes later with the same thing on her mind. She’ll put away dishes and never remember where she put them. These may sound like little things but small annoyances add up to a bundle of frustration.After completion of her chemotherapy, she’d be trying to say something and absolutely go blank. She’d fling a hand out in frustration after attempting to get the words out. We laughed with her and finished her sentences. Her memory loss has improved significantly during this four-year period of time. Improvement in cognition is very common although some experience continued aggravation from memory loss.The following steps will hopefully help in the management of memory loss. Remember that any chemotherapy side effect should be discussed with your oncologist. Ask for his advice too.

Instructions

How to Manage Memory Loss from Chemotherapy

• 1

  Discuss your memory loss with your oncologist first. Your oncologist has seen every side effect from cancer and he’s your best source for information on coping with side effects. Do not be surprised if he recommends a CAT scan or MRI and full neurological work up to rule out other problems.

• 2

  Consider other culprits. It’s very easy to blame chemo for everything. Chemo disrupts your life so much that many people suffer from fatigue, poor diet, dehydration, anxiety, and hormone changes. All of these can cause forgetfulness. Take good care of yourself. Look at every aspect of your life and make sure you’re doing your best to take care of your whole body.

• 3

  Be practical. If you can’t remember things, then write them down. Keep lists of important tasks to complete. Post-it notes stuck to your computer or refrigerator are a great way to remind you of important things. My mother’s friend suggested that my mother create a list of dishes and tableware and post it inside her cabinet to help her remember where she’s stashed items.

• 4

  Slow yourself down. Stumbling over your words, or completely forgetting how to ask for the simplest things, can be frustrating. If you can’t come up with the name for the TV, microwave, or blender, then explain what it does. Be patient with yourself.

• 5

  Avoid making quick decisions. Making decisions on the fly might have been normal before chemo, but things are very different after chemo. You’re processing information more slowly so try to avoid situations where you must make quick decisions. If you can’t, explain to family, coworkers, and friends about your memory loss side effects and ask for help.

• 6

  Get organized. This really helped my mother. She was very weak after her chemotherapy but needed busy work during her recovery. She organized her kitchen, storage areas, desks, and files. Everything has a predictable place and this aids her when she forgets where things are placed.

• 7

  Keep a written calendar posted on the refrigerator so you can easily keep track of important events. It's so much easier than trying to figure out how to work your computer calendar program or figuring out your Palm Pilot.

• 8

  Sign up for a cancer survivor support group. Many people get support during treatment but never seek support for the ongoing side effects after chemotherapy is completed. Hearing similar stories and just having someone commiserate is balm for your soul. Your oncologist can recommend support groups for survivors.