dealing with short term memory loss during chemo

[onethatcares]

wife is currently in remission of cholangio carcenoma and is having problems dealing with stm which I feel is caused by her chemo infusions and radiation to her brain each month to check for lesions there. So far, so good on that.

Does anyone have any idea of how to help her deal with the memory loss though? Should i treat her like an onset dementia patient? Or what?

[marble falls]

1. Treat her with the loving care you always have. Thank goodness that is how my wife treated me. I was a handful ...

... and she never got short with me or ignored me - that I can remember.

It will get easier and she will get better. You might want to discuss this with her Oncologist about strategies.

[SheltieLover]

2. Not sure, but healing vibes on the way to both of you

[2MuchNoise]

3. There is something called chemo brain or chemo fog.

I experienced it when I went through chemotherapy. For me, I experienced short term memory loss and difficulty concentrating.
It continued for some time after I finished chemo. I can't tell you how long it lasted because I don't remember. Insert a tiny lol here
because I know you are truly concerned and of course, it isn't funny.
I wouldn't compare my experience to anything close to dementia. Still, it was troubling.
Chemo brain/fog is real. As someone else said, talk to your wife's oncologist.
Sending you love. Take care of your wife and yourself.

[PufPuf23]

4. Help her make strict protocols for necessities.

Simplify moment to moment life. Make habits.

Phone, meds, keys, TV remote, tablet, clothes, food, medical diary and records, appointment book, etc.; always in same place.

Simplify diet and clothing choices and develop a pattern for everything.

Experienced 5 months of chemo (non-Hodgkins's lymphoma) several years ago and, with good advice, how I coped. Entailed long days of infusion spaced 3 weeks apart, twice 4 weeks because of complications. Each time was a cycle of recovery and follow up and preparation meds and procedures. Had an apartment of medical campus where spent time for first two cycles, then spent about 1/2 the time at home.

Would get up from recliner and forget why. Think in the most simplified manner of being mindful in a small universe. When left apartment picked up keys and put in left pocket. When returned to apartment first thing was to return keys to their spot. Visualize this for every life necessity. One gets in a groove. Once wife is in a groove, be careful not to disturb the groove. One can be too helpful and confuse or upset the patient. Need to be a patient caregiver. It gets better.