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I always thought "chemo brain" was just a cop out until my mother had her bout with breast cancer.

She was a very opinionated and capable woman. Now she can't carry a conversation or remember where she put her socks.

It's been nearly 4 years and she still ain't firing on all cylinders.

It killed the cancer but the cognitive cost was great.

Sorry to hear that. My mum's had noticeable cognitive decline from breast cancer chemo too, physically more frail from it too.

Fortunately, sort of, she mostly thinks it's my dad who's lost a few marbles and doesn't seem to realise it's her, or at least is still too stubborn to admit it. And her grandchildren not only still have their grandmother but they don't yet see (or understand) the decline which is perhaps the best blessing of all. But it's still sad to have to see.

> I always thought "chemo brain" was just a cop out until my mother had her bout with breast cancer

Why would you or anyone think it was a cop out?

Our culture puts such a strong emphasis on self-reliance that people who experience conditions that are "in their head," or even just poorly understood, are broadly perceived as lazy and dishonest. It's often only when it hits close to home that people are able to overcome this bias.

Sounds a lot like my experience with severe ADHD.

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