Strategy is such an important sounding word for a way to get something done, isn't it?
This was another piece of what they gave me. Especially with chemo even the easiest of words will be lost, even when on the tip of your tongue. One woman dealing with chemo brain could not even remember her granddaughter's name - which happened to be the same as hers!
Once again, there were things on the list I was already doing. I am not truly sure how helpful it really was. In the case of the woman above, if she remembered that her granddaughter's name was the same as hers, she could have remembered her name.
Unfortunately you don't always know what word you will forget when or how. So these "strategies" had variable rates of success for me. If it helps you, then great. Any little something can sometimes be helpful.
1. Delay
Wait a few seconds before responding (like you really have a choice sometimes? LOL) and relax while thinking of the word (really? how easy is it to relax when you are frustrated as heck?). Although I did have another "delay" technique. I would just say what was going on, or say "stupid chemo brain." As an alternative, I would sometimes try to think of a synonym and see if I could either use that, or get to my original word that way.
2. Sound
See if you can remember the first sound or letter of the word. (Sometimes it will help. Many times it just frustrated me more being "so close")
3. Sentence Completion
In other words try to cue yourself in the context of an expression. Instead of just saying "cup" use "cup of coffee." The rest of the words might just carry you to the word you are looking for.
4. Word Association
Kinda like my delay technique, but instead of thinking of something similar, think of something that relates. For instance a knife and a...(fork). For me, I would just say "it is that dang thing you eat with!"
5. Description
Try to describe whatever it is without using the actual word. (It's kinda like a freaking game. No good at games? Sorry but in the game of chemo brain you may not have much of a choice. Hopefully whoever you are playing with - even if it is just yourself - is a good guesser!)
6. Rhyming
Similar as others above. See if you can find a word that rhymes. (Of course you have to remember the word first to know what rhymes, LOL. But if you know there is a word you consistently forget when you next remember this might be a good one - provided you remember the rhyming word).
7. Situational Context
Where and how and when might the word or object be used? It could be that big thing in your kitchen that keeps things cold. You know, the...(refrigerator)
8. Spelling
Spell the word if you can't say it. Of course you have to know what the word is to spell it, don't you? (Not really sure about this one for myself).
9. Function or Use
This is kind of like #7. It's what you use to cut your fruit. If you remember that, you might just remember "knife."
10. Category
What category does your word fit in? It is a piece of clothing. It is something men wear. It is something that goes around your neck. Ah, the game continues. It is a "tie."
I sometimes wondered how much of this was developed by those who had experienced chemo first hand, and how helpful they truly were. As you can tell from my - hopefully quasi funny - comments, I wasn't so sure about them. But different people function differently and maybe there is something about it that can be helpful to you.
Do you find any particular technique helpful? If you care to share, please do so below. Maybe your comment will in some way help others. Thanks. :)
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