Your Own Worst Enemy

Imagine waking up to a new self, one that rejects all normalcy and sets you on a train ride through hell. Yikes. This happened to Susannah Cahalan, a NY Post reporter out of the blue and landed her in both Epileptic and Psych units at the NYU hospital. Symptoms began with hallucinations and intense behavior shifts, followed by seizures and eventually nearly entire degradation of motor and cognitive functions. Originally diagnosed with schizophrenia(esque) disorders, it will later be uncovered to be something quite different: an autoimmune encephalitis caused by the NR-1 subunits of the NMDA receptor being targeted. The difficult part of this, especially historically is the non and mis-diagnoses. The delays in treatment causing rapid shutdown of bodily systems. In this incredible account you see a healthy, productive young business woman shift to utter infancy/dying in her one month journey. Wild.
I gained much by reading this book, however difficult some of the accounts were based off of personal hospital setting experiences. Always having interest in neurosciences, this account increased this, while making it aware how much the field is constantly expanding. With such a complex super computer in our noggins, it’s no wonder the gaps in information. Her frailty nearly bringing tears at times, the primary reminder is how very fragile human life is, and how vulnerable all of us really are, despite what our own egos tell us sometimes. Susannah would not have survived without the incredible power of love and support surrounding her. Often a reference is made to “seeing her old self” and this reminder spurs on the drive for a better day. I think we could all use this message individually, trauma aside. Susannah’s efforts providing huge charitable gains, supporting doctors and patients alike, empower me greatly. She uses troubles to expand her life while helping others. A moment can change everything and every breath is a blessing. Love hard and trust your family. Read this book.
Photo Credit: Google Search, Google, www.google.com/search?q=brain%2Bon%2Bfire&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiKt5SrqvrVAhXmxFQKHUX9C_gQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1440&bih=794#imgrc=PNfaN8UKt4qVYM
