Memory…it’s a funny thing
In October of 2023, my life was completely… changed, I guess. I had gone to bed in the afternoon for a nap, and woke up, completely confused, lost and in a place that I can’t really describe. I’d lost about 15 years of memories, more or less, and didn’t recognise the house we were now living in, nor a lot of other things.
I discovered parts of my life slowly, began to remember some of it, but, for a very long time, we were dealing with some of the most scary ideas of what had happened. After ruling out stroke, brain-bleed and more, it was decided that I didn’t have anything that could be seen on scans.
It took another couple of months to decide I have something called ‘status migrainosus’… probably. It’s rare though – less than one percent of people with migraines have status migrainosus. Mine was complicated by the fact that I get both confusional and hemiplegic migraines, so my first two weeks, I presented with symptoms of all three. Hence why they tested me for stroke, intercranial bleeds and more.
I decided, early on, that I want to write about it. All of it.
But the first time someone asked me about what I was going to call it, as I was still confused, I said ‘I’m typing a blank’. And, that’s why the book is called ‘Typing a Blank’.
Welcome to the page. Please let me know if you have questions.
About the author
My name is Kai.
I am a “40-something” writer, who has been writing for more than the 40 years of my 40-something. I write fiction, non-fiction and poetry. But, the reason for this site is to talk about crippling, almost permanent headaches. And the almost is wishful thinking at this point. Hopeful, but wishful.
‘Typing a Blank’ – like it’s other book, ‘Run girl, Run’, is partially about recovery. Because what’s the point of writing about something when there’s zero hope?
If you’ve found this page because you’re like me – either with the physical issues I’ve touched on or the mental health issues mentioned through the blog, please know, there is ALWAYS hope.
Kai Viola