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Thu, Nov 20, 2025

11:36pm EST

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Seven Degrees Left of Center

by Dale Ricky

Rated: 13+ · Book · Personal · #2276168

Each day feels new, and my memory of the one before is faint. I’m learning to adapt.

In September 2019, a seizure revealed a lime-sized meningioma pressed against my hippocampus—the part of the brain that governs memory and language. The doctors said it was benign, but benign didn’t mean harmless.

Surgery removed the tumor, and three days later I opened my eyes to a new reality. I could walk, I could talk, but when I looked at my wife, her name was gone. I called her Precious—the only word I could find. A failure of memory, yet perhaps the truest name of all.

Recovery has been less cure than re-calibration. Memory gaps are frequent. Conversations vanish. I had to relearn how to write, letter by halting letter. My days are scaffold by alarms, notes, and calendars.

When people ask how I am, I don’t list symptoms or struggles. I simply say, “Seven Degrees Left of Center.” It’s not an answer—it’s who I’ve become.

Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Kåre เลียม Enga

Nov 18, 2025 at 11:25am
In response to "What to Write About When You Have Nothing?"

Well said. The mundane inspires when nothing else does.

JACE

Nov 14, 2025 at 9:17am
In response to "In Between Writing Projects"

Interesting observation. My creative writing period is first thing after rising in the morning. Whether I finish my story or not, the longest timeframe I can write is about an hour. It's as if my brain kicks off. An idea may occur to me during the day, which I'll jot down. But it seldom comes with an urge to write.

1 Like

Kåre เลียม Enga

Nov 14, 2025 at 8:43am
In response to "In Between Writing Projects"

I get that way between travels. If I'm not careful I wait too long.

1 Like

Amethyst Autumn Angel

Nov 14, 2025 at 7:05am
In response to "In Between Writing Projects"

I usually feel the same way in between projects, especially since mine are often under a deadline. When I'm done, I spend the spare time in between catching up on my music. Do you like music? How does it affect your brain?

Love and blessings

1 Like

TeeGateM

Nov 7, 2025 at 9:11am
In response to "Too Many Projects, Too Little Brain Space"

The creative mind - yep me too!

1 Like

Kåre เลียม Enga

Nov 6, 2025 at 11:30am
In response to "Too Many Projects, Too Little Brain Space"

I'm like this when I'm home. When I'm traveling I'm barely aware of how much I'm neglecting my writing.

1 Like

JACE

Oct 30, 2025 at 10:44am
In response to "Finding North Again"

I can only imagine what you're going through with your surgery and that road to recovery. It sounds like recovery is more like a path through heavily forested woods, the path strewn with fallen limbs and leaves, and roots reaching up to trip you.

My own surgery (for kidney cancer) as traumatic enough, but while it preyed on my mind, it didn't 'play' with it. And I don't mean play in its kindest note.

Keep on writing. It may be all any of us really have. Best of luck with your recovery.

1 Like

Jim

Oct 20, 2025 at 9:50am
In response to "Lost in the Story I Already Wrote"

First, I love your Handle/Pen Name! Seven Degrees Left Of Center... Seeing your name just kind of made my day.

I think what you're going through is one of my biggest fears. Forgetting everything. I know, and hope you're doing better today than previous days, and that your memory is returning more and more each day. Losing your memory has to be a nightmare for you.

I can see you writing something that seems familiar, only to realize you've written this, or something very similar. I don't think I have a major memory loss, but I know I've started writing something only to learn I had already written, or something similar. Fortunately, it's usually something from long ago. Let's hope it doesn't get any worse for both of us, as we age.

Amethyst Autumn Angel

Oct 9, 2025 at 11:12am
In response to "Letting It Soak"

I believe all ideas should be scribbled down as soon as one feels they're worthwhile. Even if it never gets past the rough idea, at least you'll have a record of it for future reference.

Amethyst Autumn Angel

Oct 3, 2025 at 8:35am
In response to "Learning Curves: Then and Now"

Wow, that's news to be excited about

Sending prayers for continued improvement and recovery

May 7, 2024 at 8:04am

#1070644

Changing my mind

Nothing changes until you change your mind. This morning, I am giving it a try. Before watching the news, I sat down to write. I have always considered myself a writer, but I have to admit I haven't practiced lately. My brain is still healing. Even in these few words, the heat is building—a rather odd feeling...

I have an MRI coming up—the five-year check—the last of the annual MRIs if all goes well. Five years have passed so quickly that I can't remember the time going by. The surgery feels like it was a couple of weeks ago. I have a hard time believing five years have passed, mostly because time doesn't exist in my brain as it should.

Time is a salad of memories. They do not exist linearly. Instead, they are like a bowl of spaghetti. What seems like yesterday could have been last year and visa versa. My precious wife has gotten used to the chaos I can cause. The blessing is she is still with me. You know that in fitness and health. That is today. Change the start of the day. Change the day.

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