Although this was tramatic at the time, like most chemo brain incidents, this story is now funny. When one is affected by chemicals or drugs (legal or otherwise), your brain functions differently. It is really hard to describe how mixed up one can get with normal everyday things you normally do just fine with. Those of you who have been through it will relate.

I was getting gas, like I have done how many countless times in my life. I was reading the directions on the pump, normally I just know how to do it. After placing the nozzle in my vehicle, the directions said to press “start” to begin pumping gas.  Well there was no button that said “start” on it. On a normal day, one would figure that the big, red button that said “press” would be the button I was needing. Not on chemo brain. It took me ages to get to that point. Oh-but it gets better.

Once I believed I was pumping gas, it wasn’t really working. A very nice man pulled up behind and offered to help which I replied, “No thanks, I will just move on.” He graciously offered to get an attendent from inside, as the pump may be having problems. (It really might have, I really have no way of knowing.) I was in small tears by now, “No, I just want to leave!” I told him. The poor sweet man, had no idea what I was going through, and I was incapable of explaining, I just wanted out of there!

I did go to the next town down the road-got gas without an incident. I still giggle to myself when the buttons are not labeled the same as the instructions say they are!

Do not worry, the chemo brain effects do clear up and you will be able to multi-task again! It does take quite a few months and you do wonder if you ever will be right in the head again, but you will get there!

Master Photographer Barb Gordon, www.GordonPhotography.Biz 

www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.

At the time this was not very funny to me. Everyone knows you do not put plastic near heat, right? Well, with “chemo brain”, a term for being chemically impared, many things don’t compute. This condition is temporary although it can take up to a year to clear the fog from the brain. Anyway, I was using a rotisery and thought it would be more convenient to leave in the thermometer provided it did not catch on anything as it turned. I studied it so carefully, watching a few rounds to make sure the thermometer cleared at every turn. I was quite proud of myself for handling this by myself. Never cook alone when in treatment! My husband smelled the melting plastic and rescued our dinner and saved the evidence for a souvenier.

Barb Gordon from Iowa, Survivor May 2006, Portraits & Stories photographer www.GordonPhotography.Biz

www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.

{This was a funny experience,}I was enjoying life playing in the pool with the neighbor kids, when I found out one little boy was afraid to play with me. He was afraid he’d kick my port through my body. So I ended up having five children poking and prodding my body.

–Stacey from Texas, Survivor January 2009

www.PortraitsAndStories.com a photo essay project to bless breast cancer survivors, their family, and friends. Find inspiration and encouragement here through photographs and stories.

The wig that looked most like my original hair style needed a little trimming and shaping.  While my stylist, Chris, was working on it, her brush went too deep into the wig, and got caught in it. The wig came off my head and went flying across the salon – much to our horror.

I leaned over, threw the cape over my head and had a split second to decide if I was going to be horrified and cry or laugh. Praise the Lord, I laughed. I know Chris was relieved, poor lady was probably very nervous for a moment!

A video of that would have been great fun.

Barb Gordon from Iowa, May 2006 (Portraits & Stories photographer) www.PortraitsAndStories.com