ChemoBrain Strategies

Last time it took me a long time to figure out that I was dealing with chemobrain much less figure out how to manage it. This time around, I hadn't really thought about prevention strategies until the box arrived. I wasn't expecting anything, hadn't ordered online, and it wasn't my mother's handwriting. Who was sending me a box? It had the Illinois Music Library address on it.

I wondered if they had been cleaning house and stumbled across a cache of my old papers and sent them on. Funny, no one mentioned it. But that's OK. I'll sort through it later. Let me just take a peek and see exactly what I need to deal with.

But what's this??!!! A care package!!! Oh, what joy, my two dear friends sent me a box chocked full of splendid stuff to cheer me up. A card was enclosed - they just want me to know they love me and are thinking about me! Aw. I cried. I was overwhelmed at the surprise and thoughtfulness of my two comrades. This was like the most sumptuous dessert you could imagine and I intended to savor it fully.

I allowed myself to unwrap one pretty package at a time and enjoy it fully before diving in for another one. Each thoughtful item would come in very handy during chemo treatments and afterwards - warm fuzzy pink socks, an Elmo DVD, a music CD, all kinds of lotions - man o man! Totally awesome.

I have been amazed at the outpouring of wonderful gifts that have come my way of late. I am crying just thinking about how thoughtful and precious each one has been. I am so fortunate to have some truly amazing friends that I wouldn't trade for the world. My dear friend here in Rochester sent me a certificate for a full hour massage that I am saving for that deeply needful moment when I need it - and I know that will come.

My pastor and colleague surprised my with a cool big pink bag stuffed with a scrunchy pink and white bubble decorated soft soft blanket and other great things including a beautiful bouquet of flowers in just the perfect purple colors. I have sat wrapped in that comfy blanket for hours while I decompressed from the last chemo.

Yesterday my friend from church sent me a fully prepared lasagna dinner, and I'm not even undergoing chemo until next week. Its so wonderful to not have to fix dinner even if I could have managed it. Man, I am so well cared for. I can't tell you how much it helps to know people are standing alongside me in this fight. I am wrapped everyday in the warmth of their love and caring. Lucky me.

Well, one of my chemobrain prevention strategies is to daily count my blessings and remind myself of how fortunate I am. The other inspiration came from a Sudoku book and a puzzle in my surprise box. Last time I discovered that doing patterning exercises helped my brain get back some functionality.

This time around, I want to make my brain do calisthenics throughout - sort of like making my body exercise, I will make my brain exercise too. Puzzles, Sudoku, dot to dot books, everything I can think of to force my brain to recall patterns, keep the brainwaves flowing and functional. Maybe it will help! I figure it can't hurt.

I will keep listening to my Bible memorization tapes and repeat the verses I am memorizing. Maybe I should volunteer to drill math tables! Learn a foreign language. I am open to suggestions. Do tell me your ideas. Thanks.