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AlaskaAngel · 04-23-2008, 07:53 PM

Hi mjo,

I was the spelling bee champ prior to chemo, but at 7 years out the spellings come and go when I least expect it -- so those people in my life who knew I could spell almost anything have almost as hard a time with it as I do when I freeze up and stumble over spelling off the cuff -- and even just remembering which word it is I am trying to say.

I've had several different occupations over the years so making changes was just one more for me.

I think it is caused both by stress and by loss of estrogen. I don't take an AI, but tamoxifen was similar for me. And I do think the low levels of our CBC's during chemo reduce the total volume of oxygen available to the brain during some periods of treatment, perhaps even because the CBC's themselves may be less mature or less of them may be mature enough to carry a full load.... (leaving us missing a few cards from the deck).

I thought about what DLaxague said about being able to continue on autopilot after years of doing the work, and there is some truth in that too, but I have also found that even when doing the most routine tasks I can suddenly realize that I don't know what step is next, and that IS frightening.

The last visit I had with my PCP I was describing the issue of testosterone and completely lost the word I needed to explain (which was "converting" to estrogen). Since he is a good doctor he observed the deficit and waited rather than supplying the word for me and there was quite a pause while I struggled, before he suggested it. But I know he was aware of the problem.

You are not alone in experiencing these things.

AlaskaAngel

04-23-2008, 07:53 PM	#20
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	memory deficits Hi mjo, I was the spelling bee champ prior to chemo, but at 7 years out the spellings come and go when I least expect it -- so those people in my life who knew I could spell almost anything have almost as hard a time with it as I do when I freeze up and stumble over spelling off the cuff -- and even just remembering which word it is I am trying to say. I've had several different occupations over the years so making changes was just one more for me. I think it is caused both by stress and by loss of estrogen. I don't take an AI, but tamoxifen was similar for me. And I do think the low levels of our CBC's during chemo reduce the total volume of oxygen available to the brain during some periods of treatment, perhaps even because the CBC's themselves may be less mature or less of them may be mature enough to carry a full load.... (leaving us missing a few cards from the deck). I thought about what DLaxague said about being able to continue on autopilot after years of doing the work, and there is some truth in that too, but I have also found that even when doing the most routine tasks I can suddenly realize that I don't know what step is next, and that IS frightening. The last visit I had with my PCP I was describing the issue of testosterone and completely lost the word I needed to explain (which was "converting" to estrogen). Since he is a good doctor he observed the deficit and waited rather than supplying the word for me and there was quite a pause while I struggled, before he suggested it. But I know he was aware of the problem. You are not alone in experiencing these things. AlaskaAngel