My Brain Blew Up, and This Is What Happened Next

2025-05-18 06:00:20.618

A music journalist and dancer, at 36, experiences a sudden brain hemorrhage due to a previously unknown aneurysm. The event leads to four months of extensive surgeries, including the removal of part of her skull. The author describes the terrifying experience, the long recovery process, and the physical and cognitive challenges faced. This includes loss of muscle, double vision, difficulty speaking, and impaired motor skills. The story follows her journey through hospital stays, rehabilitation, and the emotional and physical struggles of regaining her independence. Despite the challenges, the author finds unexpected joy in the support of her loved ones, the kindness of medical professionals, and the discovery of new communities and activities. She relearns to dance and embraces a new perspective on life, disability, and the concept of time. The article ends with her reflection on the merging of her 'before' and 'after' selves and the realization that she is more than the sum of her experiences.