Why chemobrain and forgetfulness is annoying

Okay, before breast cancer I was forgetful. Some of that I blame on depression (I was clinically depressed for a time many years ago) and most of it I blame on just doing too many things at one time. When my oncologist told me that there was something called "chemo brain" that some patients got during chemotherapy... I laughed to myself and sort of ignored him.

*In my defense, he was hitting me with a lot of information at each visit so, I needed a break. :)

And when chemotherapy started, I didn't notice much of a
difference initially. But after a few weeks and then a few months, I realized that my already limited memory was being compromised even more than I was accustomed to. In a word, it sucked. Big time.

Now, I wasn't forgetting things like where I lived or what my phone number was (though, I am a little slow with remembering my number, honestly). But I would walk out of one room heading somewhere else in the house and then forget where I was going. Turn around and go back to my room like nothing happened. Meanwhile... I've forgotten important things like... the sink is running full of water in the bathroom (yes, I overflowed the bathroom because I forgot that I had turned the faucent on). Or, I will put clothes in the washer and forget to move them to the dryer. Stupid little things like that.

My oncologist had told me that my memory would return after chemo ended and all would be right with the world again. But... I think he was wrong. And it seems, according to what I've researched, that lots of survivors continue to struggle with memory issues after chemotherapy. I finished chemo some time ago... and I tell you... my memory still stinks.

Here's a good example:  Last night, I emptied the trash in my bathroom and proceeded to take it outside
to the garbage can. Along the way, I needed to drop something in the kitchen. I sat the bag of garbage on the table in the foyer. I went around the corner to the kitchen and realized that I was hungry. I fixed myself a snack and a glass of water. I had a brief conversation about the zipper in my dress and then I went back upstairs to my room.

I left the garbage sitting in the foyer though. Doh! When it was brought to my attention, I just shook my head and took it outside but it hit me that I really am forgetful. Its manageable when its small things like taking out the trash, or doing the laundry. But when that forgetfulness moves into forgetting to pay bills or thinking that you've sent an email that you didn't... it gets to be a real pain.
I have most of my bills set up for automatic payment. I do that for the convenience factor but I see now that it is a tool that is very helpful for people (like myself) who deal with just a smidge of memory issues. Forgetting to pay bills can put you in a bad place -- like I was last week -- but it is a good reminder of what NOT to do.

TIP:  if you experience foggy thinking or forgetfulness, take advantage of tools like automated bill payment and direct deposit to make your life just a bit easier. And also... write notes to yourself to remind yourself of things you intend to do.