Short Term Memory

My husband has Stage IIIB adneocarcenoma of the lung with signet ring cell features.  He has just completed his sixth course of chemo which was a combination of carboplatin, taxel, and avastin.  During this time, neuropathy, some nausea, and fatigue.  Many of the side effects have been managed with additional medications.  My question--he asks the same questions, seems to need constant reassurance, seems confused with progression of time, and demonstrates other symptoms that seem to be indicate short-term memory loss.  He is 50, a non smoker and was healthy before his diagnosis in July.  Any thoughts on the memory issues?

Google 'Chemo Brain' (its also referred to as Chemo Fog). Yep, its a real thing! I'm 63 and tell people with my chemo brain and my 'Craft' Disease (can't remember a f..ing thing), I'm lucky I can have a conversation. 

 

On 11/30/2008 Cancer Wife wrote:

My husband has Stage IIIB adneocarcenoma of the lung with signet ring cell features.  He has just completed his sixth course of chemo which was a combination of carboplatin, taxel, and avastin.  During this time, neuropathy, some nausea, and fatigue.  Many of the side effects have been managed with additional medications.  My question--he asks the same questions, seems to need constant reassurance, seems confused with progression of time, and demonstrates other symptoms that seem to be indicate short-term memory loss.  He is 50, a non smoker and was healthy before his diagnosis in July.  Any thoughts on the memory issues?

I have low grade  1 stage 3b  uterine papillary serous adenocarcinoma
and  I was recomended this week to take  that same CHEMO regeime

I asked about ahving "chemo Brain";... they told me  once treatments are over you regain clarity again.

Iuntil my surgery & diagnosis    I worked full time with seniors who have

alzheimers,  my personal fear  is that I will be like them..... and that my own husabd will not be able to take care of me..... once I start treatments

I am 48  , with 5 children, only 1 living at home. she is in high school,

the otehres just fininshing high school & colledge, so  they are only around to visit, give me ahug & reassure me  that they love me...

I ahvent decided  If I will do Chemo or not....   

all the side effects , to me arnt worth the benefit; since i was told taht this type of cancer  does not respond well to chemo....  so why have it?

its the added  drug  the avastin ...  that   seems to be the one that might help

 

why could we have had that drug alone ?

 

I you well careing for your dear husabnd, much strength & wisdom, to  soldier on.      I agree with the las post you can do reading on chemo brain.... and otehr symptoms/ problems.

 

God Bless you today.

-Mary Anne

 

 

Certainly, the decision as to whether to have chemo is very personal.  That said--I suggest you take the chance.  As our doctor told us, someone has to be in the percentage who respond to chemo, someone has to be in the percentage who make one year, two years, five years--it may as well be my husband.  The neuropathy was the toughest or at least the one that he mentions the most.  The side effects were manageable.  My husband only missed a few days of work over the past four months.  He's lived and enjoyed another Thanksgiviing, he got to watch our son make varsity high school basketball, and he is able to shop for Christmas. Last July, we didn't think anything of this would be possible.  We have scans before Christmas and then the plan is to continue with IV avastin every three weeks until he either can't handle the drug or the cancer progresses.

Blessings