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 Each day feels new, and my memory of the one before is faint. I’m learning to adapt. |
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In September 2019, a seizure revealed a lime-sized meningioma pressed against my hippocampus—the part of the brain that governs memory and language. The doctors said it was benign, but benign didn’t mean harmless. Surgery removed the tumor, and three days later I opened my eyes to a new reality. I could walk, I could talk, but when I looked at my wife, her name was gone. I called her Precious—the only word I could find. A failure of memory, yet perhaps the truest name of all. Recovery has been less cure than re-calibration. Memory gaps are frequent. Conversations vanish. I had to relearn how to write, letter by halting letter. My days are scaffold by alarms, notes, and calendars. When people ask how I am, I don’t list symptoms or struggles. I simply say, “Seven Degrees Left of Center.” It’s not an answer—it’s who I’ve become. |
| I had a memory flash this week. What does that mean? Well, I remembered something from 5 years ago. A project I was working on where I worked. I have stayed in contact with the people I worked with. They have been/are great supporters in my recovery. Anyway, I asked if they were still working on the project I didn't get to finish. No, they weren't working on it anymore; they were just using it as is. The software produces a daily report. However, several line items need to be fixed manually. Up jumps my memory. I had written some code that automatically updates the lines. The code wasn't turned on because I hadn't finished the data set. Anyway, it is a more significant win for them than for me. The report is fully automated; they didn't know for the past five years. My win is that I remembered a technical detail from before the brain tumor, and it is still valid. Go, me. |
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Sending prayers for continued improvement and recovery 
