frustration frustration

[aetheldaeg]

T-Dog (our oldest daughter nick-name for Teddy) decided that 5:00am was a good time to get up today....Okay, not really happy about it but I figured that it would give me extra time to work a swap card

Comments

[1smart1]

It's nearly two years pass the time I finished chemo and I am still trying to cope with the new me thanks to chemo brain. I'm disorganized, forgetful, and impatient. I can't multi-task...I have tunnel vision. I used to be able to juggle many things and had no problem but not now. I'll never be the person I was but I'm at a loss as to how to cope being the person I am now. . . . my brain is filled with so much clutter I can't think clear enough to try and implement some of his suggestions.

I feel your pain & frustration every moment of every single day. Why don't they warn about this? Or at least acknowledge that it is a side effect? How has this been swept under the rug for so long?

[aetheldaeg]

It's certainly acknowledged now, but what to do about it, who knows. I don't think that destroyed brain cells regenerate but maybe we can train another part to help out. I keep doing brain training and sudoku puzzles in the hope that it will help, but I'm not sure it does.
It has to be more difficult for you, not being able to go back to work. Maybe time...lots of time will help. We can only hope. Oh, thank you for the Christmas card. It arrived the other day.

[thoughtsbykat]

I have no idea what you have gone through with the chemo, but I do know that aging has caused me to have similar problems with my mind. Losing hormones, having a chemical imbalance and taking meds for high bp and the imbalance. We have to do what we can. Try not to get frustrated. Dropping something for awhile is good. Can you peruse some websites or old stamping catalogs to get ideas?

[aetheldaeg]

I have been doing that. I think that I'm suffering from information overload. I'm decide what stamp set I will use, then colours and then see what technique or design will work.
It's hard to know where the chemo leaves off and menopause (mentalpause) takes over. I will be seeing my oncologist in a couple of months, maybe he will have some answers or suggestions.

Perspectives

[trooper557]

I'm glad that you're dealing with the issues, for me it's all about maintaining perspective.

1. Being positive about what you can accomplish is good for your outlook; it always helps to know what tasks are outstanding so as they're completed they can be removed from the list;

2. Retail therapy is (always) good provided there's something to actually shop for and not merely an escape; being sensible about doubling up on travel is good;

3. Try thinking of it as your Craft Room of Creativity, it may inspire you a bit. Perspective is key in knowing what to do and when to do it.

Last, I want you to know that you are bright, creative, accomplished and in my view as close to perfect as you can be! My days are better for your partnership, love and company, it's the reasoning why we are us.

Love you!

Re: Perspectives

[aetheldaeg]

Okay, not the Craft Room of Doom. I'll start there.

[oakwind]

I am a big believer in lists and step by step plans. Having a regular schedule helps. I have been using a web site www.flylady.com for her ideas on organizing one's life -- it is oriented towards house cleaning but her approach of a "control" journal to get one's life under control can be used for anything.

What I noticed about chemo brain, and I am not yet even a full year since my last chemo session, is that it is worse if I am tired or stressed. At such times my ability to put two words together and make a sentence seem to disappear but I can look at a list and figure out the next thing to do based on the list.

[aetheldaeg]

I'm the same. If I am tired or stressed my brain function crashes. Thank you for the link. I'll check it out.

[kailiia]

fingers crossed on Teddy doing well in class any way.. and like potty training house training is all about 2 steps forward and 1 back.. he;ll get there... the brain exercises are proven to help because all brain activity if a good thing, it may just not help in the way you expect it to... ie sudoku may not help memory but it may help with problem solving or pattern recognition...

keep with it momo and if you need a break gimme a shout always enjoy a break from teh homework. :)

oh yeah... and don't be scared to go to heck in a handbasket now and again... can make for some good stories to share or get some creativity flowing after the dust settles.

[aetheldaeg]

Thanks kiddo. T-dog did alright; as good as any of the other dogs there.
I've finished all of the sudoku puzzles on Brain Age so now I'm working on Brain Age 2. They may not help but I think I'm addicted.