Cognitive changes after chemo

@baravelli I’ve had increasing issues with bluetooth grabbing onto and sustaining connection. If other devices that I’ve recently connected to are nearby, its like my phone can’t help itself and impulsively must see if it can connect back to them. Even my new Volvo will connect to my phone if I’m walking by in the garage or nearby laundry room. We’ve just got too many smart bluetooth enabled devices!
I would guess tech support mentioned these issues . . .
The phone may be putting the Dexcom G7 app to sleep to save battery, which kills the connection. Go to Settings > Apps > Dexcom G7 > Battery and set it to Unrestricted.
On newer Pixel models (e.g., Pixel 9 Pro), Ultra wideband option can disrupt Bluetooth connectivity. Turn it off in settings.

@ebabor thanks for your comments. I have a Google Pixel cell phone and it's also the monitor for my Dexcom G7 glucose sensor. I constantly get error messages that say "signal lost - keep monitor within 33 ft" while I'm wearing my phone around my neck on a lanyard! None of the Tech Support reps can tell me why this happens. I'm just thankful I don't have an insulin pump depending on readings to calculate my insulin dose!! I do the same thing when watching the weather. We have had the craziest weather over the last 6-8 weeks so I check every evening to know how to dress for the next day. I have a biomarker blood test scheduled to see if this is normal memory loss due to aging or some other issue connected to anesthesia & chemo. Neither of my parents had any cognitive decline when they passed away in their mid 70's so I'm praying my hem-oc Dr is right and my memory will start to improve.

@baravelli
I am 74 and was diagnosed with ILC stage1 grade2 ER+ onco26. My MO wanted me to do chemo and I said no, but will do radiation starting next week and anastrozole for 5-10? Even though I did not do chemo I have a hard time keeping up with technology these days. Everything I do has to be on my phone as soon as I know I have to be somewhere. Sometimes I get so frustrated by trying to print I just give up until later and when I check “My Chart” I am
always looking up every term that’s not familiar again!
My husband and I check the weather and 2 hours later we check it again because for some reason we didn’t log into our brain what the high temperature is going to be today🤷‍♀️.
The world around us is not the world we grew up in (thank goodness) but it makes it so so difficult to deal with everything but especially new things.
I didn’t have chemo but I still am
concerned about the radiation and drugs and what that’s going to do to my brain and the whole body of me.
Just take the life we have left one day at a time and keep checking your calendar. Sending hugs and healing your way pink sister

@baravelli If its any consolation, trying to print from an online health portal will make geniuses cry! And technology is in warp speed with changes right now, just like when mobile devices and smart phones were new. The tech guys don’t even know who’s going to win the race with what technology.
Some research has shown that some brain games and puzzles just make our brains better at . . . brain games and puzzles.
From what I’ve read, if you want to remember info, like the week’s events, answering questions about it will help store it in memory. Just reading a list over and over isn’t as successful.
“Chunking” the info into bite size pieces helps.
A standard list of: what are the big events this week? What is on the calendar on Monday? What time and where?
Try to answer them, just to yourself.
When you can answer the questions without referring to your notes, you’re more likely to remember it tomorrow and beyond.

For myself, I know I need to just put these prep and review activities in my schedule. Like on Sunday. Then I’ll feel more confident and less flustered. If I’d only remember to do it . . .

I was 76 when I had 12 rounds of chemo and anesthesia for several endoscopic procedures, port placement and then 8 hrs of anesthesia for my Whipple surgery. I have been told by My oncologist that "chemo brain" is a real thing and that I should give myself some Grace. I feel awful complaining about memory loss because My cancer was caught as stage 1. I should be happy I'm still here instead of complaining about not being able to keep up with technology or having trouble scheduling appointments and getting test results on the clinic portal. Trying to print from the portal had me in tears I was so frustrated. I can't keep up with myself anymore! I have to check a calendar every night to remember where I'm supposed to be the next day. I had a cat scan and an MRI but no one explained the results to me. If they had I wouldn't remember anyway! Any suggestions for memory improvement would be appreciated!! BTW crossword puzzles do not help!!!!

Chemo brain is a real thing! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I am currently in a trial with Arizona State University looking into Brain Fog. I am hopeful that something positive will come out of this.

As we know, just because we are done with treatment, the lingering symptoms and feelings don’t go away.

@mistymar

You sound just like me!! It's embarrassing and depressing!!!

ME!! It king of sneaks up on you. All of a sudden, things that used to come to you easily............don't anymore. Then eventually, you just plain don't remember. Honestly, it scares me becuase I have to wonder......at my age (72) am I losing it or is it the chemo I went through for so long?? Things that used to come to me so easily, just don't anymore. I'm no youngster, but my brain was fine before all this started!!! Very scary!

@gabeglnaz
That is so NOT right!!! It's bad enough that chemo affects your brain, but to be accused of taking something and then getting charged for stealing??? I would be fighting that tooth and nail!!! I am so sorry you re going through this. It's bad enough just dealing with people when you can't remember something, let alone being accused of something you didn't do. Please go get your file or something to prove that you had chemo and how it affects your brain. I am so sorry you have to go through this!!

@gabeglnaz I’m so sorry to hear that you got in trouble. I know exactly how you feel!!! Chemo brain is terrible!!!😢 I’m still suffering from it 2 years later!!!! I Hate it!!!! No one understands unless they’ve been through it!!! God Bless You.