Chemo brain

Cancer patients often joke about having chemo brain, a kind of brain fog that comes with treatment. It is associated with memory lapses and trouble finding the correct words, and with difficulty making decisions. Multi-tasking becomes nearly impossible along with the ability to concentrate.

We have noticed that I have some of these issues (and joke about it) but had put it down to the stress associated with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

On the internet last night, on www.cancer.org, I found that it is indeed real and is otherwise known as "mild cognitive impairment". Imaging studies have shown that some chemotherapy patients have changes in the areas of the brain that deal with memory and planning, and those changes may last for 5 to 10 years after treatment, although the impairment may be gone within 2 years.

Barry insists that he is suffering from chemo brain too, even though he is not on chemo.