21 Cups

I can see two arms, two hands, two legs, and a torso. I have all these thoughts but nothing makes any sense. I am confused; where am I, who are these people? There are so many people and so much bustle, but why? Everyone is running around, poking me, asking me questions. Am I even answering? Worried faces. What is my name? What is a date of birth?
Wait, I know that face. The one right beside me. That face; handsome, familiar, comforting. But who is that face?
The face is gone. I’m inside a tube. Noisy, burning, am I peeing myself? Out of the tube. Two people telling me I did great. Now back to the other room with everyone else. The face is back, his name is there in my head, but why can’t I reach it? All I can think is I love him. But who is he? Someone help me. What the fuck is going on?

A paralyzing stroke changed my life in a matter of seconds. To lose the past 21 years of memories made it seem like I was starting life over again in a world I knew nothing about. My recovery is never ending but this is a glimpse into the first year of my new life.