67 Squared

There are several ways to square two digit numbers such as 67 in your head.  One way I do it is to split the number into 60 + 7 times 60 + 7.  I multiply the 60*60 and get 3600. Next I multiply the 60*7 and get 420. I can double the 420 to 840 or add it twice.  I'll add it twice to 3600 and get 4020 and then 4440.  Then I add the 7*7=49 and get 4489.  No problem, right.

Well, I couldn't do that a week ago.  I mentioned the short term memory problem I have and how I can't (couldn't) keep more than a few things in my brain at a time.  A week ago I would not have remembered the 3600 after I got the 420.  It would have been gone from my brain.

I sometimes use the squaring numbers trick to fall back asleep when I wake up (which is about every 90 to 180 minutes). It takes my brain off other stupid stuff that's keeping me awake and is boring enough to let me fall asleep.  Of course, last night, I was so excited that I could actually square numbers I didn't fall back to sleep until I'd squared 22, 27, 99, 76, 72, and a large host of others. It was so cool!!!

Yesterday I was writing some software and I noticed I was typing really fast and mostly correctly!  I also noticed I got quite a bit done.  I've also noticed that if I can't spell a word, if I close my eyes and type it, I often get the word.  Weird huh!  I think my brain is coming back after the second cancer.  It was about November of 2014 where I felt like I'd mostly recovered from the first cancer (about 5 months).  It's been about four months since the second cancer.  Maybe in a month or two I'll feel like my brain is back again.  That'd be great to get my brain back :-)

Physically I'm not doing as well.  I find the two week chemo infusions and daily steroid make me tired.  I need a nap or two of 30 to 90 minutes every day.  Usually by 9 pm I am completely exhausted.  If I know I'm staying up late, I take multiple naps during the day to stay awake late. I have trouble with my feet and ankles swelling.  My stomach is swollen most of the time and I have a very restricted diet.

Note that this is not me complaining. This is me giving you data about what cancer treatment is like for me.  I am still very upbeat and happy. I'm grateful for Melody and her love and support as well as all my friends that help and support us.

Today I read aloud page 374 of 531 of the Book of Mormon.  There was peace in the land and the people prospered. Unfortunately, some become very prideful due to their riches and persecuted the poor.  The poor fasted and prayed often and gained humility and became strong in their faith in Christ.