My family has always said, "No news is good news!" When I realized this morning how much time had passed since my last posting, I was flabbergasted. Truly, this has been a much improved week so I would agree that no news is good news. With more normal energy, I actually celebrate the sewing room again.
On top of that, I had five classes to prepare for and then teach: two on Thursday, two on Friday and one on Saturday. It was a marathon. Three of the classes required a PowerPoint...which meant Tuesday and Wednesday was balanced between sewing and the computer.
Time disappears with work on PowerPoints because my brain spins nonstop, trying to calm my chemo fog to create interesting PowerPoints for those who learn from them. Another challenge for my brain is handling what some call 'chemo memory loss'.
I had not thought about this memory loss issue until a fellow cancer friend mentioned that her brain was dramatically challenged during treatments. Sometimes her family had to pull words from the air for her so she could complete conversations. Well, I have been there too.
During some of my classes, I have floundered for a word when teaching a concept. My students - and that may have been you - have graciously saved me and then the class continued. I never thought about skipping a beat until I realized my husband was helping me out as well. My mind would suddenly be blank; I was reaching for something that wasn't there. It was like my engine had stalled. I was fearful it would jeopardize my teaching.
I write about this because others who experience chemotherapy may struggle with lost words as well. You are not alone. This apparently happens to more of us than we realize. Hang in there. Some days you will be fine, and then on a day when your body tells you to slow down and rest, you may struggle within your conversations. Feel a hug from me at this point. It gets better. Rest helps. Listen to your body.
Today is the last day of my fourth 21 day cycle. I went to church, and now this afternoon is going to be all about resting. My mind needs that rest after this past busy week. I am actually feeling a pull to my beloved recliner.
My body is telling me: put your feet up and watch the Olympics and the Super Bowl. Both will probably exhaust me. My hubby has asked for homemade soup. So vegetable soup is in the instant pot. Supper is done. Now. I respond to the recliner. Time to rest my soul...and ready for tomorrow morning...the beginning of treatment rotation #5.
Bless you all as you begin your week. I keep you in my prayers, The quilting cancer girl
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