The Cause Of My Amnesia-Inducing Surgery
Hemochromatosis, The Celtic Curse
I have hereditary hemochromatosis, which is a genetic disease in which iron absorption is significantly increased. Iron overload is what caused my gallbladder to rupture.
When I woke up after emergency organ removal surgery, everything was blurry. I didn’t recognize anything or anybody, including myself. I was diagnosed with retrograde and antegrade amnesia.
Since that day five years ago, I’ve felt like I’m a time traveler. I landed in a time frame that is 20-30 years behind—whatever time I’m in. I’m infinitely trying to connect who I am to who I used to be. Memories are more than snapshots of past occurrences.
Memories include how we continually learn things—things like how boil an egg, how to know the navigation of of homes I’d spent a lot of time in, or if I ate anything that day.
I didn’t forget instinct, like I’m right-handed or that I’m a writer.
I created this site to share my personal experiences living with amnesia, and to foster understanding and empathy among readers. Thank you for stopping by. I hope my story resonates with you.
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