short term memory loss continues after 15 mos. from surgery

My husband was dx w/anaplastic mixed cell glioma grade 3 in the right temporal lobe 7/08 and most was removed, has had 6 wks radiation w/Temodar, then continued Temodar until regrowth showed in 3/09.  Then avastin and irinotecan for 5 mos. and had a good MRI so not in any treatment since 4 weeks ago.  Will short term memory improve or is that a side effect of the surgery and treatments?? He wants to continue do, doing and doing, but the memory causes problems in his accomplishments and self-esteem!! So hard to watch and sometimes I'm not so patient.  I need prayer for my patience and for him.  Thanks to whoever is listening!!!!!

My husband is one year out from his surgery, and he still struggles with short term memory issues. I asked his NO if there was any kind of therapy we could pursue to help, and she wasn't confident that anything would help.  It's a combo of surgery, radiation, and chemo.  One thing that helps is to make sure I have his complete attention when I tell him something. If he is in any way distracted, he doesn't retain the info.  I write things down, too.  Sometimes I will tell him that I am going out for a few minutes (I cannot leave him alone very long) and he will call me on my cell phone to ask me where I went.   Not many solutions, I just try to bear with it.  It IS frustrating though.  

Radiation. It giveth and it taketh away. Short term memory problems are very common, especially with left side tumors and whole-head radiation. Ach. Visit the American Brain Tumor Assoc. website FMI/ radiation long term side effects: http://www.abta.org/index.cfm?contentid=105

We find that writing things down makes a world of difference. SEEING is somehow a way to store an image of information, vs. HEARING which doesn't store the information anywhere that I can tell... around here! (Andy was a visual learner in the first place. Now he's 100% visual.)

E.G. Giving a chart for meds which Andy can check off and 'own' is much more empowering and a place of self-control than handing him the pills and the water all the time, or asking him if he's taken them.

Sarah

mother of Andy 27 dx gbm/pnet 1/09

Memory loss is very frustrating.  Martin has good days and bad days.  He gets frustrated also.  It makes it easier for him if we just laugh about it.  Life is what it is.  It is heart breaking but also exciting that we will never have 2 days the same.  

I send U prayers,

Kozyyak

Mom to Martin 5; DX 09/08

I am not a brain tumor patient.  In 1992 I suffered a head injury in a motor vehicle accident.  The memory problems continue to this day.  I don't  remember the 1980's much at all.  Some tell me that's not a bad thing. Ha! Ha!  But it was the years my children were growing up and it's hard to have to say "I don't remember" so many times.  Short term memory is a problem as well.  My injury was in the left frontal lobe.  I spent many months working with a neuropsychologist to help with the memory issues.  They have exercises you can do and writing things down is the one that is most helpful.  A different brain injury, but some of the same outcomes.  I do suggest writing your notes to your self in detail.  I can't tell you how many times I'll find a one or two word memo to myself and have no clue what the message was supposed to be.  Take care.

Hello Rhonda,

I know first hand what you and your husband are going through. My son 34 dx Mar 08 with grade 3 AA. His short term memory is diminishing. He also gets very frustrated because he looses his train of thought while talking. He is very angry at this point in time. I understand about the patience. My daughter-in-law is a gem. It is very trying for her and at times unbearable because of this tantrums. The NO say's short term memory never regains completely. My son's tumor was in the right paretial lobe. Location of the tumor plays into cognitive issues.

I know this journey is difficult for you, your husband and family. There is support out there for caregivers as well. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST!.I know this sounds hard to do, but the caregiver gets the brunt of everything.

May God give you strenght! You are in my prayers.

Sheryl

Son 34 dx grade 3 (AA)

Hi Rhonda,

 My tumors (astrocytomas) were/are located in my right temporal lobe. I had surgery 11 years ago, and the Gamma Knife almost 7 years ago. I still deal with short term memory problems and it isn't getting any better. My NO recently recommended cognition testing and depending on the results, Ritalin may be an option to help with my memory problems. I know how it feels, I wish you the best of luck!!

 Amber