Calling all TNs

Cocker_Spaniel

I have experienced many of these chemo side effects and it is so embarrassing when I am in a meeting and cannot remember what I wanted to say. Can any of our ladies on here relate to this.

Things Anybody Who's Experienced Chemo Brain Can Relate To

Angela Banker

We have all heard of chemo brain. It is often referred to as a mental cloudiness or fog. It's a decrease in one's mental sharpness that often coincides with the effects of chemotherapy. Perhaps it could be caused by a lack of sleep or low blood counts. Either way, chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment is not pleasant to experience. What does chemo brain feel like? And how can you ease the symptoms? Read the list below.

Symptoms

1. Feeling Slow – Many people with chemo brain report feeling slow in their thinking and mental processing. This can become awfully frustrating when you need to think on your feet. Figuring out a problem that has arose may take much longer than it normally would.
2. Forgetting Things I Already Know – In elementary school you learned your basic math facts; you drilled those into your rote memory. When your daughter asks you to quickly correct her math page, you become flustered. What was 6 x 4 again? Or when you have worked in the same cubicle next to your co-worker for the last four years and you simply cannot remember their name even when it's at the tip of your tongue.
3. Lack Of Concentration – While sitting in a meeting, you noticed you cannot recall the last five minutes. What were we discussing again? You just hope one of your co-workers is kind enough to fill in those gaps you missed. Where did your mind go during the meeting? You can't remember!
4. Losing Your Train Of Thought – You are having a great conversation with your best friend when all of a sudden you forgot what you were talking about. It doesn't happen just once, but multiple . . . Wait! What was I saying again?
5. Forgetting The Simple Things – Those small, everyday things can be the hardest to remember at times. You may rush out the door and get to your car before you question yourself, "Did I lock the front door?" You may get all the way to work before you call and question your husband, "Did I turn off the iron?" You could return home to notice you failed to turn off the television when you left earlier.
image: http://d6i6hf2dnlt9c.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/14021349/bald-woman_shutterstock_271160804-600x314.jpg
6. Trouble Multi-tasking – Multi-tasking is an art form. When you add chemo brain into the mix, it becomes more difficult. Trying to do two or three things at once during this time is challenging. You can cook and talk on the phone at the same time most days, but when you have chemo brain, you tend to forget that spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove top.
7. Difficulty Learning New Things – Focus and concentration are qualities that go into learning. Chemo brain often affects each of those making learning that new skill even harder to do. Imagine you have been a dancer since high school. Learning your new routines now is taking twice, sometimes three, times longer.
8. Forgetting What You Were Going To Do – You stopped cleaning the kitchen in mid-clean to grab something in the living room. As soon as you walk in there, you ask yourself the 4 W's. Why did I come in here? What was I going to do? Where was I really going? When did I forget?
9. Difficulty Speaking – That moment when you can't remember what your favorite box of cereal is called – "That box, over there, in that thing. It's red. It's this tall. It's . . . " – can be embarrassing. Often times you know what you are talking about, but you just can't seem to get the right words out.
10. Mental Fatigue – Add this to the lack of focus and the inability to concentrate. Your mind is just tired. Your brain feels overworked early in the afternoon leading to more confusion when you're trying to follow a conversation. You could use a mental nap and find zoning out is becoming a frequent habit

Read more at http://blog.thebreastcancersite.com/angela-chemo-b...

slv58

Agh, just lost a whole post I wrote- damn neuropathy fingers! 

Arlene thank you. I was told the chemo I'm on is very hard on blood. I guess I didn't really understand what that meant. I'm having a hard time with the utter exhaustion I'm left with. I try and sleep but wake up physically more and more exhausted. I feel like I'm sleeping my summer away and that depresses me. I have 3 more to go, then 3 weeks no chemo and back to work. Where has summer gone? I feel fat (20# up) and lazy. When I got done putting groceries away yesterday, I realized I can't do it anymore. I was sweating Profusely and out of breath. That had me upset- I feel I can't even contribute to running our home. My DH works 12 hours a day, 6 days a week and I'm in bed for what seems like 10 hours. I know it's not my fault, but I just hate having no energy, and of course the side effects are accumulating and getting more noticeable. Just have to remind myself, I'm almost there.

Cocker, I did find chemo brain (and in my case stupid brain- I was going some really out of character dumb things!) was real, but by 11/2 years out, I felt almost back to myself, with the exception of remembering people's names. While in the thick of it, I would make out loud verbal notes to remember things- "Shari, your putting your phone in your bag" which I found helped me. I also wrote notes. Finding the right word was frequently a challenge But did improve with time. 

Hope everyone is doing well, your all in my thoughts

shorfi

No it's not your fault Shari. My second time around was harder, and I stayed home for 2 months from the mastectomy and I literally stayed in bed most of the time. My husband did everything. My chemo came later a couple of months after the surgery and getting chemo and going to work was a bit much. I can't even clean my house like I am used to doing. I am so fat and fluffy now and my MO said I could blame her for that "fluff". Doesn't help that the Neurontin is packing on pounds and I honestly watch what I eat...like I did last night eating 5 chocolate covered pretzels that my girlfriend made me. I wish people would not give me food as gifts.

You are almost done and you get to have that nice break afterwards. Rest as much as you can and don't feel guilty about it.

slv58

Thank you shorfi. I'm sorry you went through that as well. It's not fun! I was planning on making a fruit crumble today, but no energy. Tomorrow is chemo so that's out. The fruit better not go bad! 

Allydp

Jan - thank you so much! I'm so glad to hear your daughter was able to become a mother through IVF!

Cocker - my husband and I had 2 failed IVF's just prior to me being diagnosed with cancer. Both of us had issues, but mine was poor egg quality. We had actually decided to use donor embryos before the cancer, so the plan is to still use donor embryos but our friend will carry them. It was quite hard for us to find peace with not having biological children, but now I'm nothing but excited about this path for us. I feel like the baby that is placed in our arms will be the baby we were always meant to have, and I now realize it's love that makes a family...not DNA.

JAN69

Oh Ally, You are so right. A baby placed in your arms will be the most perfect person in the world. What a thrill that day and every day after will be. Thinking good thoughts. Jan

slv58

Perfectly said! It's the love and devotion that makes a family. 

relocatedtarheel

hey everyone. I haven't been on like I was in the thick of things but I find myself 2 yrs after my diagnosis worrying alot. I still have memory and focus issues from chemo, my joints ache and I have shoulder pain...WTF?

anotherNYCGirl

relocated, - i feel all those same things =/

simplelife4real

Relocated, you and I were diagnosed about the same time. I'm coming up on my two year cancerversary and I'm noticing that my anxiety level has really gone up in the past month or so. I think the time between year 2 and year 3 is a real critical time for us TNBC gals....so it makes sense that our anxiety levels go up as we hit the two-year mark. I had been thinking about posting about it on this thread.....you just beat me to the punch! I also have a lot of joint aches too. I have to believe it's from the chemo because I hear it so often from the chemo ladies that were part of the Sept. 2013 chemo group thread. That group moved over to FB and we have stuck together like glue. I've thought about talking to my pcp about the joint pain just in case there is something I could be doing to help relieve it. I'm thinking mine is osteoarthritis because it hurts when I first start moving, but goes away after my joints "warm up." In terms of your shoulder pain, is it on both sides? I have been noticing that my shoulder keeps wanting to tighten up on my cancer/radiated side. I just keep doing my stretching excercises on that side. Next time I see my breast surgeon, I want to ask her if this on-going tightening is likely to subside with time or if it's something I will have to deal with the rest of my life. Since it's been around 18 months since my surgery and radiation, I'm thinking this might turn into a life-long issue.

ALHusband

My wife is 2+ years from diagnosis but coming up on her 2 year chemo-versary in August. She has memory issues, pain in her pelvis and recurring shoulder pain. Is shoulder pain perhaps "frozen shoulder" which I see is a fairly common after effect from mastectomy. The shoulder pain comes and goes.

anotherNYCGirl

Al, - I am interested in seeing responses to your post because I am much the same as your wife. =/

Also, - I am soon to go for a retest of my blood because last time my liver panel was elevated. I had been taking tylenol more often than usual since my LD flap on May 28th, and now going 2 weeks without tylenol to be retested. Hoping it is from the tylenol and nothing more serious. Anyone else have elevated liver panel numbers?

Thank you for any responses!

Cocker_Spaniel

AL and Another a frozen shoulder causes extreme pain and you can hardly move it without extreme pain and stiffness. It limits your ability to do anything with the arm. The pain doesn't come and go it is there all of the time. It is a long, painful process with physiotherapy to get the shoulder right again so if you can move your arm it is unlikely to be a frozen shoulder. Keep moving and exercising it as much as you can to help stop it becoming a frozen shoulder.

Another I think as we get longer and longer out without any problems anxiety hits you harder each time it comes. I always think in my (anxiety) moments, am I pushing my luck thinking I have beaten this. I do suffer more with aches and pains in limbs but that could also be age at least I am hoping so. I don't get my liver enzyme blood tests done as I don't want to know what they are. They can fluctuate so much and not be anything to do with cancer so I don't want the worry of knowing it may have gone up slightly from the last time.

Ally Jan is right there is nothing like a baby being placed in your arms and it doesn't matter if it is not your biological child because the baby will become yours the minute you hold and care for it. I pray that God blesses you with a little girl or boy and I know you will love it.

anotherNYCGirl

Thank you, Cocker!

and I agree with you and Jan re Ally! Ally , - I hope that you can soon post baby news! It would be one VERY fortunate little one to have you for a Mommy!! ( and all of us as " virtual Aunts" and "Grandmas'! )

Cocker_Spaniel

AL somewhere along the line didn't you tell us your Kathy had diabetes. I can't remember whether you said this or not but if she is diabetics can be more susceptible to frozen shoulder.

Tobycc

Ally, that is wonderful news!!! And Shari can share her fruit crumble for a virtual shower we will have for you!!!

Please know that while I may not be posting as much, I empathize with each and everyone of you. Boy, this really is a journey.

I shared with Greenae that I have been down the past month as well. I lost a dear dear friend to cardiac arrest at age 37, another dear friend diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma, my CFO had a stroke. Starting to feel better.

I call it "hitting the wall" -- I hit the wall twice during tx. Once towards end of chemo and once in radiation. I literally did not go to work and stayed in bed.

Our DH are to be commended for their support. I have not cooked hardly at all this past year. I feel better by being able to clean, etc now.

Remember we have our pact to stay NED!!!

Prayers, and hugs for all of you

Kath

anotherNYCGirl

Toby, - I am so sorry that you have been coping with such sadness. I am sure that I speak for all of us here when I say that our shoulder is always available to lean on!

I agree re our husbands. Mine has been wonderful, but I still feel so guilty holding him back from doing all the traveling and fun things that he so hoped for in his retirement. =( I hope I can make it up to him and get back on track SOON!

Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend!

Luvmydobies

I have been really down the past week as well! I'm 2 1/2 years from diagnosed. I was doing better but I've had some stomach cramping/pains off and on. I'm hoping it's just gastritis/IBS acting up, but my mind is all over the place thinking liver mets, Crohn's disease, etc. I wake up in a sweat if I get cramps at night then I get petrified with the fear! I've started taking Zantac 150 at night and Tums when I have problems in the middle of the night. I can't take a PPI because of my C Diff history. Those totally block acid which increases C Diff risk. Ugh! I also keep thinking they've missed something because I still have off and on burning "down there". I keep thinking what if the urine tests and cultures were false negatives and I have an infection that's spread, etc. I've also had what I guess is joint pain. After I've been sitting for awhile my feet and ankles kill me until I walk around for a bit.

Plus my parent's are here but they're leaving Wednesday and I'm dreading that! I'm thankful they're here but don't want them to leave because my husband will be gone until Friday so I'll be by myself for two days!! Yes, I'm a big ole baby after having cancer! I've said this before,but I just never expected to have cancer at 36 years young! I know nobody expects it and it sucks no matter what age we are at diagnosis, but I'm just down in the dumps this morning. I'm sorry everybody!!

Toby I'm so sorry you're having to deal with so much right now. I'm praying for you.

AnotherNYCgirl, keep us posted about your liver values. Praying for you as well! Hopefully it was just from the Tylenol. I take a lot of it too for allergy headaches. I use the extra strength. I've had chronic headaches forever and I can't take Advil or anything like that because they hurt my stomach.

Hope everyone has a restful Sunday

I love all of y'all more than you know!!!

ALHusband

No Cocker. She's not diabetic. She's on Metformin...but not diabetic.

Lookingforward66

Hello all,

Got home from my beach vacation yesterday. Great time. Cottage was near perfect except bed too soft. Oh well, can't have perfection. Weather was windy & overcast some days, but only last day was actually a LOT of rain. So considering this is supposed to be our rainy season, I can't complain.

As to luvs headaches, I had constant allergy headaches & was spasing out. MO sent me to specialist & had Scan. Nothing. So she told me to take Magnesium L-Threonate minimum of 300 mg a day. I do & now only rare headache. Magnesium levels difficult to measure but we normally don't get enough. The l-Threonate is best for absorption she said.

As to aches & pains, the chemo kicks in arthritis & other not so nice side effects. I still get stabbing pains where cancer was ( talk about the first time it happened I freaked out) this has been explained as normal too. I was past menopause & hot flashes until this.....welcome back hot flashes! 😝 but I figure I have this chance to keep enjoying life & I'm not going to waste it. If it comes back ok. Then I deal. Until then I'm going to LIVE!!

Here's to staying NED!!!

Marsha

Luvmydobies

Marsha, does the magnesium cause stomach upset? Just asking because I have IBS-D, so I deal with enough loose stool/diarrhea.

Lookingforward66

Luv,

I take a little less a day. 144mg morning meal & evening meal. No problem so far & no change in bowels for me. I can tell when I skip a pill as get low beginning of headache. Pain in tush to keep track of my supplements but hey, they working.

I buy Neuro-Mag by Life Extension

Magnesium L-Threonate

90 vege caps. 144mg per cap. I buy from Amazon, so far best price I can find.

Hang in.

Cocker_Spaniel

Shari how are you feeling. I think about you everyday and hope the chemo is not giving you too many side effects and you are not too tired.

Arlene hope you are feeling better as well and not so sore. How is that beautiful boy of yours.

Lookingforw I still get stabbing pains sometimes in that area of the breast as well and sometimes pains in the ribs on that side The pain doesn't last long, about 30 seconds, but I've had them for so long now, over a year, so I figure it's nothing after all this time or it may be related to my LE on that side.

LUV have you tried writing a food diary. Write everything you eat down and I mean everything, whether good or bad, for two weeks. Then each day write how your tummy was feeling for that day. You will start to see a pattern on what foods upset your system and you can eliminate that food for two weeks and see if you feel better. Then you introduce that food item back into your diet and if it still upsets you then you know not to eat that particular food anymore. Also plain yoghurt is good for the gut so that may help you if you haven't tried it. Worth giving this a try as it may help.

Luvmydobies

Thanks Marsha! I'm going to check with my doctor just to make sure those don't interact with my meds I take for asthma, allergies, etc., and I'll order some.

Cocker the frustrating thing is I can eat something and be fine then the next time I eat it, it will tear me up! I have been under a huge amount of stress lately, thinking it's been about 2 1/2 years since diagnosis and they say the first three to five years are critical for TN, hubby is stressing me out wanting to move to the country, which will be about two hours from my doctor's and would be too far for me to help at the Doberman rescue, my parents are here but leaving Wednesday, and I haven't been eating as many fruits and veggies as I should because they make my IBS flare. So then I worry about my not so good diet causing mets! Aaargh. Also, our oldest Doberman is having some health issues so I have an appointment at NC State for her in a month. It's a lot weighing on me at the moment.

Tobycc

Marsha, great attitude!

Luv, will keep you lifted up-- Have you talked to PCP about anxiety?

Cocker, thanks for always being there for everyone

Gentle hugs

Kath

Luvmydobies

Thanks Toby! I've spoke to her about anxiety but I'm really sensitive to medications now. I can't take anxiety meds because I was on them for awhile and had to taper off and it was awful. I was doing a lot better until just about a week ago. I'm working on it. Praying for us all here! XOXO!!!

Cocker_Spaniel

Toby thank you but when I was diagnosed the ladies on this thread at the time were there for me every step of the way and now I try to always be there for all of you ladies. It's feels good to me to be able to give something back.

Another I know how you feel about your hubby because I feel the same with mine. We have been married almost 48 years and he has been there for me every step of the way and more. Never, ever has he let me down in all of those years and even more so than when I was diagnosed. Sure I get tetchy with him at times and I'm pretty sure he does with me as well but he is the other half of me and if I lost him I wouldn't give a damn if the cancer came back because I wouldn't want to live without him. My two daughters are the same, always here for me, but they have their own families and I don't ever want to be a burden to them. We all live five minutes from each other and I see them often. We are only a little family, no grandparents, mum or dad or aunts and uncles left and that has brought us closer. My husband and daughters and my grandchildren are my whole life and worth living each and every day for. I give grateful thanks to God every day for what I have.

LUV anxiety causes so many problems and you seem to have more than your fair share. The only thing I can think of is to go to the country with your hubby if that's where he will be happiest and you may even love it there. You will find a good doctor there I am sure and there will be shelters for animals that are always crying out for volunteers. Fill your world with heaps of things to do and don't even think of that word that begins with "R" because it may never happen but as Marsha said deal with whatever comes, when it comes.

greenae

Thank you, Cocker!

Almost 3 weeks post op, back on my stationary bike andI am feeling pretty good physically, and working on the mental. My post op healing is going well, sure I will need some work on the implant side, but looks fine in clothes, and I love being smaller. My PS did such a nice redux/lift on the right--- sheesh, my boob looks about 25! Lol.

Neuropathy in my feet drives me batty, especially at night, and I get those crazy pings in both breasts, for no reason, sometimes they feel like shocks. I am a lil annoyed that my eyelashes and brows decided to fall out 8 weeks PFC! But hey...I am here! And the lashes and brows will grow back, along with my hair, soon, I hope.

I have decided to skip the shrink and meds, for now. I will try to keep busy and push TN and R thoughts away. Cocker, your words and encouragement are always so helpful, and I have to thank you again. My boy, Augie is laying right here, all 75 lbs, just waiting for me to trip over him...he has been velcro dog since my mx, and was my best medicine during chemo.

Luv, I hope your anxiety takes a big Hike, and you can feel better soon. Anxiety takes me to the verge of panic attacks...it helps me just knowing I have some Ativan, even if I don't take it.

Toby, I am thinking of you, and wishing things are getting better for you. Sending you Hugs!

Another, are those labs ok?

Shari, I'm glad you had a good birthday... Many, many More!!!

Thank you to all on here for your advice and thoughts. I wouldn't be able to deal with all of this without all of you!

Happy Monday!

Arlene

Luvmydobies

Cocker, we are all grateful you're here to help us out through thick and thin. You and everyone else rock!! I have allergies to most dog's unfortunately and doberman's are one I am not allergic to. This is one reason I can't just go to any animal shelter to volunteer. The rescue isn't like a regular shelter, meaning we only have like 5-10 dog's at a time to care for, and it's super clean so it doesn't bother my allergies. Plus once you're owned by a Doberman it's hard to not just want to be around them. I love all dog's but can only tolerate a few different kinds. Hate allergies!

I am also stubborn and have always moved where my husband wants to be our whole 16 years of being married. I had a job I loved but left it for him to pursue his career. I've been a house wife and doggie mom the past 12-13 years. I love doing my volunteer work, and those dog's and the volunteers I've befriended are the best therapy for me. I also like being nine miles from the nearest hospital, close to my other doc's, dentist, etc., and close to our dog's vet. Plus he travels for work a lot and I like being close to people we know and doctor's instead of out in the boonies, just in case something happens when he's gone. So my stubborn self thinks my hubby should be where I'm most comfortable for the time being. He was great during treatment but now when I have a scare or don't feel well he gets upset and gives me the cold shoulder instead of giving me a shoulder to cry on! He's also very against me taking any medications to help me cope. I am sensitive to some I've tried so he doesn't want me to try anything! Sorry I went off but I'm a bit frustrated with him if you can't tell. Haha! I love him and I know he loves me but like every other marriage, it isn't always roses! I just know if it were him who had cancer or any other major thing for that matter, and he wanted to be where he was comfortable, I'd do as he wished. He likes moving often and I'm tired of it. I'd like to have a home and stay put for awhile is all!

Arlene I'm tempted to ask my PCP for Ativan to take a few times during the week just at night. I only sleep a few hours at night if I'm lucky. I've tried Melatonin, Benadryl, melatonin and Benadryl and those don't help. Ambien doesn't either. It's frustrating!

Hope to hear some positive updates soon from those waiting on test results. Sorry if I missed some posts and for leaving some of you out. I haven't been on the boards as much with my parents being here. XOXOXO!!!

Cocker_Spaniel

Arlene your new breast may be like a 25 but your picture makes you look like a 25 year old as well. Lucky girl. So glad you are feeling much better. Those little pings you feel in the breast are the nerves knitting together and may go on for years. I have always been a DD bra cup (not sure what that is in the States) but they were quite heavy breasts and that's why I wish I had, had a bilateral then I could have gone and brought those gorgeous little padded bra's in a smaller size. But not to be. At least the ones I buy now with the opening for the prosthesis are pretty and comes in better colours. So glad your Augie is a comfort to you when needed. My Tessa is like that too always by my side. My little dog Chloe is so tiny and thinks she rules the roost and me but she is so sweet and gets away with everything with just the sweetest look at me. You can't beat dogs.