Apparently, there is life after chemo brain. I can’t prove it yet, but I may be on to something big.
Okay, so my big idea might not be an original idea per se, but I could be the first person to report back with a firsthand account.
Conventional wisdom holds that the brain of a cancer patient never fully recovers from the mental haze caused by chemo, but over the last six months or so, my mind has gotten sharper.
For months, I was losing house keys, couldn’t remember words (a cruel state of affairs for an editor), and blanking mid-conversation. It got to be pretty embarrassing.
My boyfriend wasn’t amused by my yes-I-lost-another-set-of-keys phone calls, my friends were miffed when I forgot to call them back for days, and on several occasions, I took the subway to the cancer center where I’m being treated when I really meant to go my job. Talk about a tragic comedy.
Needless to say, my chemo brain excuses were starting to wear thin with almost everyone, but luckily my trusty and all-powerful iPhone is proving to be the perfect combatant to the cognitive decay I once believed was inescapable.
We’ve all read about the importance of exercising our minds as we age. Medical reports have shown that by doing little things like brushing your teeth with the opposite hand, finishing a puzzle, and learning a new skill such as knitting (although bartending sounds way more fun), you strengthen your memory and improve cognitive response.
Well, since I bought my phone, I’ve been engaging in a host of activities that rely on detailed hand-eye coordination, which is another way to curb mental decline. For instance, I now text more often and faster, I play games all the time, and I’ve acquired some pretty impressive map-reading skills. Already, I’m off to a good start.
possibly the best purchase I've ever made
Before my iPhone, I rarely responded to text messages, and not because I don’t like my friends. Mostly, it was because I’d forget to check my inbox, and when I did, I knew it would take forever to text back with one hand and no keyboard on my raggedy Razor. And I’m just not that patient. But that has all changed. Now, I’m a master texter. I’m talking minimal back spaces and very few typos.
Finally, my iPhone allows me to instantly download games that test my speed and agility and, by default, boost my brain power. I’m a big fan of Sponge Bob’s Diner Dash, Where’s Waldo, and Slingshot Cowboy, but I’m thinking Apple should go a step further and develop a whole line of chemo brain apps. They could include a chess game with syringes as pieces, a medical word scramble (flagyl versus flagellant), and battleship against insurance companies.
Yes, sir, life is much better as a smart phone user. Thank you, new millennium. The latest cellular technology hasn’t just given me the world at my fingertips, but it may also prove to be the cure for my chemo brain on drugs.
Keep up the mental gymnastics! But, don’t sleep on the knitting, girl, it’s a powerful stress reliever!
I feel like I should take some credit here. If MY memory serves me correctly, I helped sell you on the iPhone. I’m glad to hear that in addition to the technology upgrade, it may be helping you mentally.
I have all those memory loss issues and then some. I think mine are from heavy stress. I do love my iphone. I used to read the NY Times and Business Week on it until one of my students put me on to Street Fighter IV for the iphone, its cinnamon crack!
Chana,
You should pitch this idea to Steve Jobs! Given the current iPhone 4 debacle, it will be music to his ears. Who knows, maybe we can turn him into an ovarian cancer advocate. Strike that … let’s just have him contribute to the cause.
Another cancer slayer classic post! Take care & all the best, Paul.
N.B.: I truly believe that you are on to something.
I soooooo agree with you. I’m chiming in from the Blackberry side of things, but these smartphones are a life saver! My Sophieberry chimes reminders all day long. Makes me seem like an ultra productive member of my team at work, I’m almost always on top of things. (Except when I forget to set the reminder!) lol …….I even set my reminders to chime snippets of good “old skool” classics so people get to do a good harlem shake as I keep myself in the loop. Woe be the day I forget my bb at home……
Why is Sponge Bob on this list? You’re in big trouble, Garcia. lol! (btw, did I tell you that the plot of my cousin’s 2nd grade school play was the Brady kids help Sponge Bob clean up pollution in Bikini Bottom?)
chana-did any of your doctors ever teach you how to fight cancer with food? no chemo, rad, or other drugs are needed. please consider contacting me. i teach my patients how to prevent/reverse cancer and other chronic diseases and think i can be of benefit to you and your family. 775 223 8260 dr.gbh
ha! I am exactly the same – I LOVE my iPhone, and it’s helped me manage the chemo brain [that is SO irritating!].Mainly because it reminds me of absolutely everything…
Love the ‘battleship against insurance companies’ idea…if someone invents THAT I shall be 2nd in line [after you] to get it ;o)