Chemo Brain excuses and more

So now that I'm half way through, I think this whole cancer routine is starting to be just that --a routine. I'm now past the chemo slows and woke up yesterday thinking--hey, I feel pretty normal and I went about my day doing the normal things like laundry, getting the kids to do their chores, cleaning the house and running the kids to their various activities. There are a few things that aren't so normal....I found the box of Christmas cards that I was so ambitious to make in early December only to have most of them sit in the box for the remainder of December. I did try to send out a good batch of them between chemo 1 and Chemo 2...I sent two cards to one address (two different household names) and got one back that I swear has the correct address on it--I am blaming both on the infamous chemo brain that my husband doesn't believe exists...and I am sending the Christmas cards in spite of the fact that they are now a full month late--The kids say I am taking the excuse that I have Cancer just a little bit too far. That may be true, but I think I'm going to take advantage of it while I can. Next year when they're late I'll have to find a better excuse...like the Dog Ate My Christmas Cards.

The phenomenon of Chemo-brain has emerged in chemo's past--Take Chemo # 2 for example: Went skiing on Christmas day and took my cash card and driver's license to buy food and rent skis...remember coming home and putting them in a zipper pocket...got up early and went to chemo...came home with a different brain that couldn't remember for the life of me what zipper pocket I put the two vital cards in. No biggie...I wasn't going to be driving for at least 5 days while I recuped from chemo so I spent my energy on resting and was sure the cards would show up during the next 5 days. 1 week post chemo and I am thinking it might be time to locate the cards...search all snow pant pockets and ski jackets, wallet and purse...no cards, no stress, still not out running about except for dire "kids need a quick ride not very far" excursions. I drive cautiously as I know I have no license. Week two--I finally fess up to Ken that I am really missing the license and cash card...he rolls his eyeballs but thoughtfully checks the bank records for any unusual activity. Bank card has not been used and I sigh in relief knowing that the cards are safely zipped in somewhere.....another week passes and luckily I do not go shopping much and the two times I use my credit card and they ask for ID I somehow get away with using my Costco Card for a positive ID (Another reason to love Costco!!). 3 weeks have passed and I am almost ready to submit to the fact that I will have to go to the driver's license division and replace my license....but the very thought makes me check the house one more time--all past and present purses are searched for elusive cards, all jackets, kids' included are checked for cards, car is searched...other car is searched...piles of paper are sorted, couch cushions vacuumed...still no Cards. Chemo # 3 arrives and I have been missing my cards for a full 3 weeks. I climb into the car for chemo and open my black chemo bag where I keep all my cancer info and basics like lotion, chap stick, and a water bottle to survive my day at the chemo lounge....and what do I find in my handy little zipper pocket in the black bag???....My lost cash card and driver's license. Not sure why I put them in the chemo bag as I always take my purse with all the vital cards and money, but there they were "zipped" just as I remembered. Too bad the memory was only partial!!

And then Chemo # 3--chemo brain strikes again. This time I get up to find something to eat to fight off the nausea and pull out my retainers that I wear at night (remember, I just got my braces off!) I put them carefully on a surface thinking that I will need to remember where they are so that I can take them back upstairs and put them safely in their case. But Chemo Brain sets in and I head back upstairs to sleep away my yucky chemo days...with only a vague memory of taking them out and setting them someplace safe. 6 days later I finally return to some vestige of my former person and I am moving about the house wondering where I could have put those retainers....clean off the desks, windowsills, cabinets, counter tops...all flat surfaces such as tops of bookcases and fireplace mantels are checked....still no retainer. This time I know I can't look for three weeks--it took my teeth 2 1/2 years to move into the correct position, but surely they will move back out in less than a week!! The dentist doesn't work on Monday....so first thing on Tuesday (1 week post chemo) I call and arrange to replace my retainers $75 for the top, $75 for the bottom (wouldn't you think they come as a set???) and I willingly shell out the cash (would I have been so nice for a child who lost retainers???) and sit in the chair and breathe deep through my mouth and then my nose while that gummy, gooey Pina colada flavored mold goop drips down the back of my throat. And I go home and will my teeth to stay in position one more day while they make up the retainers. Sure enough, when I pick up my retainer on Wednesday at 2:30....Dr. Madsen points out that even though I can't tell--he can tell that my front teeth have shifted and out comes the polisher and sand paper and the artist puts my teeth into the exact proper place with a super tight retainer that will move everything back into position. Darn that Chemo Brain...it's causing the side effect of sore teeth.

So now I'm paying the price of losing my retainer by having to wear it everyday and night for the next three weeks. I can only hope that my brain is functioning well enough now that I can hold onto this set for at least the next three weeks...and then maybe on Feb 12 when I head for chemo #4 may the first pair appear on some safe counter top!! At the rate I'm going, I could really use having a spare set around the house that I can use when I lose the new set! I blame it all on Chemo--I need some excuse until old age sets in!