T+4 (Brain Fog)

My sister Celina visited earlier this week. Spending time with her is like hanging out with an old friend. Conversation flows easily and, given our respective competitive personalities, she is always up for a board or card game.

During Celina’s most recent visit we played Yahtzee. In keeping score, I noticed that it was taking me longer than usual to add a column of numbers. Since I make it a point to do mathematical calculations by hand whenever possible, the struggle to keep score was both noticeable and frustrating.

Often referred to as “brain fog”, what I am experiencing is not unusual given the number and variety of medications I am taking. In addition, as mentioned in earlier blog posts, my blood counts are rapidly decreasing and won’t recover until after engraftment. The drop in red blood cells in particular causes fatigue which in turns makes it harder to think clearly.

While it isn’t debilitating, the brain fog is extremely annoying as it gets in the way of the few activities that I can do while stuck in my hospital room. I enjoy reading but can only do so for short periods of time before I can no longer focus on the words in front of me. I derive considerable satisfaction from writing but I am challenged to write short blog articles. Even watching television can be an effort.

The brain fog will eventually pass. Just not soon enough 🙂

Thanks for listening,

Mike