{"id":1108,"date":"2018-12-09T16:22:09","date_gmt":"2018-12-09T21:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/?page_id=1108"},"modified":"2018-12-28T06:53:08","modified_gmt":"2018-12-28T11:53:08","slug":"brain-fog","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/shelleys-shortcuts\/brain-fog\/","title":{"rendered":"Brain Fog"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Tips and tricks to cope with brain fog<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Many of us experience \u201cchemo brain\u201d or \u201cbrain fog\u201d as a side effect of treatment. Not just caused by chemo, many ladies report that this condition also results from surgery, radiation, and hormone treatment. It is insidious. Some of the signs of brain fog that I have experienced:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Forgetting words in the middle of sentences<\/li>\n<li>Not remembering names of common objects or places<\/li>\n<li>Not being able to remember recent events or actions (ie, what I had for lunch yesterday)<\/li>\n<li>Inability to focus on a task<\/li>\n<li>Trouble retaining information read in a book or online<\/li>\n<li>Missing deadlines or forgetting items on a to do list<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I am not going to lie. Two and a half years after completing treatment, my brain fog is not much improved. However, I have learned some coping mechanisms that are helping me to cope with the effects. I find that as soon as I fall off the wagon with any of these, my brain fog is aggravated; once I fall back in line, I feel more in control and the symptoms decrease.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here are some tricks that have worked for me:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1117\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/journal-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/journal-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/journal-234x175.jpg 234w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/journal-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/journal.jpg 467w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>1. <strong>Write, write, write<\/strong>. I keep a carefully constructed network of notebooks around me at all times. I have books for home and work. I make notes about everything. I find this helps in two ways. The act of writing helps instill the information in my head, and reviewing my notes periodically helps remind me of items of importance. I also keep a written journal where I write about various topics. It may be what is on my mind that day, or I may use a writing prompt from another source. The more that I write, the more that I create order out of chaos.<\/p>\n<p>Check out Pinterest for ideas on keeping a journal to keep your life in order. You can start by checking out my board:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pin.it\/hzkucurt5a74kz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shelley&#8217;s Journal Board<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1122\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planner-300x266.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planner-300x266.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planner-197x175.jpg 197w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planner-150x133.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/planner.jpg 378w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>2. <strong>Keep a planner by your side at all times<\/strong>. I personally prefer a written calendar planner. Again, the act of writing in appointments, tasks, and items I want to remember somehow makes them stick more in my head. For the last two years, I have used what I would term a \u201clife planner\u201d. This is not just a calendar, but a place to set goals, journal, and really think about how I want my future to look. It gives me the chance to think and write regularly, and keeps the tornado in my head under control.<\/p>\n<p>This is the planner I have been using:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Law-Attraction-Daily-Planner-Productivity\/dp\/B076Q8FVZB\/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1543512035&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=law+of+attraction+planner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Law of Attraction Planner<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/manifestationplanner.com\/main-productpage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Law of Attraction Homepage<\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are numerous such products on the market, all of which have good features. The important thing is to find one that makes sense to you.<\/p>\n<p>You can also keep it completely simple and create a bullet journal. This is basically taking a blank notebook, and creating the same journal that you might buy. This takes considerably more work and might be overwhelming at first. There are tons of examples and tutorials on Pinterest, just search for \u201cbullet journals\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>You can start by checking out my planner board on Pinterest!<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pin.it\/fpdvv57mui4k6c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shelley&#8217;s Planner Board<\/a><\/p>\n<p>My goal is to switch to a bullet journal next year, wish me luck!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1121 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/puzzle-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/puzzle-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/puzzle-175x175.jpg 175w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/puzzle.jpg 265w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>3. <strong>Work on puzzles and brain teasers<\/strong>. I personally like sudoku, and work the puzzles regularly. I think word searches, jigsaw puzzles, and other types of memory and thinking games would help as well. I find that my mind is always a whirlwind and the act of completing a puzzle helps me to feel that everything is organized and in its proper place. It also stimulates my memory functions.<\/p>\n<p>A dear friend gives me the \u201csudoku a day\u201d calendar, so that I always have a puzzle to do. You can also find books with brain games, puzzles, and other thought-provoking questions on Amazon, and at retailers like Costco or Walmart. Also try a search on Google. There are tons of websites where you can find quick puzzles or brainteasers for free.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1120 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/meditate-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>4. <strong>Start a meditation practice<\/strong>. If you are like me, your mind is a jumble of thoughts and pieces of information. It gets overwhelming to the point of stress. Meditation helps me to make sense of the chaos. It is not so much about emptying your mind, as it is about stepping back and observing what is flowing through your brain and not letting it control you. You figure out what to let go of, and what to file away. Done daily, meditation helps me to stay calm and maintain control of my thoughts.<\/p>\n<p>**Make your meditation even more powerful by journaling immediately afterwards. You do not need a topic, just unload whatever is on your mind.<\/p>\n<p>You can also download lots of meditation apps for your phone. Many give you the first few sessions for free, so you can try them out and see if they help you before you commit to a subscription. This link has some good reviews. I have used the Headspace app and found it helpful. I am going to try out the Calm app next, so I will update when I have more information!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/mental-health\/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps#the-mindfulness-app\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Meditation App Reviews<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1119 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/book-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>5. <strong>Read<\/strong>. I know it is hard. I am normally a voracious reader, but I have not progressed past the first two chapters in any book for over two years. I started by reading shorter pieces \u2013 short stories, articles on the internet, anything that I could finish quickly and not be frustrated by. Reading something you have read and enjoyed before is also helpful since you are familiar with the story. I am finally reading full books again. I still have trouble following stories at times, and I have to concentrate far more than I used to, but I can at least enjoy sitting down with my book again. And it is still good practice in the long run.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1118\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/spanish_reader-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"223\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/spanish_reader-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/spanish_reader-117x175.jpg 117w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/spanish_reader-101x150.jpg 101w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/spanish_reader.jpg 335w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>6. <strong>Study a foreign language<\/strong>. This gets more and more difficult with age, and is hampered by the brain fog, but I feel that it is helping to stimulate my brain. I personally am working on Spanish, and it is slowing getting a little easier. There are tons of apps to work on vocabulary, and I am trying to read some really elementary books (think of the primers you read in elementary school). Just dedicating 10 minutes a day makes a difference and may assist in your memory function.<\/p>\n<p>This is the first reader I used. While the first part is a little too high school-ish, it is good for vocabulary. And the sections on Mexico history and the short story are actually interesting.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Easy-Spanish-Reader-CD-ROM-Three-Part\/dp\/0071603387\/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1543513785&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=spanish+reader\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Easy Spanish Reader<\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are many other readers as well, in a multitude of languages. If you use a Kindle, there are many that are free. Just do a search on Amazon for \u201cSpanish reader\u201d, or whichever language you would like to study.<\/p>\n<p>Again, there are great apps out there for your phone or tablet that make it easy and fun to work on vocabulary and grammar. I have used Duolingo, and like it. If you can find a friend to work on it too, you can compete with them to get the most points. Competition is inspiring! I am going to try Babbel next.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtimes.com\/articles\/52934\/20150514\/best-apps-to-learn-foreign-language-duolingo-babbel-memrise-anki-busuu-and-more.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Foreign Language App Reviews<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1131\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/post_notes_1280_853-300x200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/post_notes_1280_853-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/post_notes_1280_853-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/post_notes_1280_853-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/post_notes_1280_853-263x175.jpeg 263w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/post_notes_1280_853-150x100.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/post_notes_1280_853.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/span>7. <\/span><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><strong>Hang reminders everywhere<\/strong>.\u00a0 Leave yourself a trail of breadcrumbs if necessary to find your way through each day.\u00a0 I have a list that is taped to the inside of the door to the garage to remind me of everything I should have in hand before I leave for work (coffee, laptop, morning meds, lunch, etc).\u00a0 And we put up a whiteboard for unusual things I want a reminder about that are less frequent.\u00a0 This has helped a lot to keep me from making my 45-minute commute to work, only to find that my laptop is still sitting at home.\u00a0 It also makes me stop for a moment and get centered before starting my day.\u00a0 If I need to remember to take something home, or go somewhere after work, I tape a post-it to my purse so I will see it before I head out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Don\u2019t let this make you feel like you are a moron.\u00a0 I am finding that living a more structured life helps to maintain my sense of calm, and keeps me from making errors.\u00a0 I\u2019m no moron.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-1130 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/alarm_clock_1280_1282-150x150.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/alarm_clock_1280_1282-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/alarm_clock_1280_1282-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/alarm_clock_1280_1282-768x770.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/alarm_clock_1280_1282-1022x1024.jpeg 1022w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/alarm_clock_1280_1282-175x175.jpeg 175w, https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/alarm_clock_1280_1282.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>8. <strong>Set alarms on your phone<\/strong>.\u00a0 This is useful for many reminders.\u00a0 It can be used for taking medications, appointments, and meetups.\u00a0 But it can also be beneficial for simple things like remembering to turn off the crock pot when you get home from work.\u00a0 I set them before leaving to go home if I need to do something as soon as I get there.\u00a0 It is not so much that it is time-sensitive, but more that I need something to jog my memory.\u00a0 I will forget something my husband has asked me to do five seconds after we discuss it.\u00a0 The alarm sparks my memory so I don\u2019t forget, and that saves many a fight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">So that is it!\u00a0 My eight steps to bring order out my mind\u2019s chaos.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tips and tricks to cope with brain fog &nbsp; Many of us experience \u201cchemo brain\u201d or \u201cbrain fog\u201d as a side effect of treatment. Not just caused by chemo, many ladies report that this condition also results from surgery, radiation, and hormone treatment. It is insidious. Some of the signs\u2026 <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/shelleys-shortcuts\/brain-fog\/\">Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":916,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1108"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1108"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1133,"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1108\/revisions\/1133"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.driventosurvive.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}