Brain surgery took all my childhood memories

When 14-year-old Weronika Somerville awoke from mind surgical procedure to take away a tumour, she did not recognise the folks in her hospital room.

They had been her dad and mom.

On the way in which to a post-op scan, a medic began to speak to her.

He realised she had no thought who he was – regardless of the actual fact he was the surgeon who had carried out her process.

Weronika had suffered a uncommon complication – uncommon retrograde amnesia. She could not recall occasions or folks from her previous life.

Her recollections by no means returned.

“I solely know from what my dad and mom have informed me,” Weronika informed BBC Scotland Information.

“The docs had been checking if I knew them – I keep in mind so many faces I hadn’t seen earlier than.

“On the way in which dwelling it was petrifying – getting in a automobile was scary. I used to be simply going together with what I used to be informed to do.

“It felt like I used to be going dwelling with strangers who mentioned they had been my mum and pop – my mum was exhibiting me my room that they had performed up for me for after my surgical procedure – however none of it regarded prefer it belonged to me.

“I keep in mind my garments and pondering who would put on this?”

Weronika, from Prestonpans close to Edinburgh, mentioned she knew it was okay to be there, however mentioned her entire persona, and her household relationships, modified.

She mentioned: “They by no means misplaced that reference to me, however even now, I do not suppose my relationship is as shut as they might need it – I’m extra remoted and have been my very own particular person for the reason that surgical procedure.

“My dad and mom stored exhibiting me picture albums – and that basically aggravated me – they had been speaking and laughing about issues I did once I was youthful however regardless of how exhausting I attempted to concentrate on it, I obtained nothing.

“I did not like images with them as a result of they’ve emotional attachment to those moments and I do not.”

Weronika needed to re-learn every part – beginning with major college maths and English.

She mentioned it took little time to re-learn as after the teachings had been taught, the reminiscence of that appeared to be unlocked – she realized her instances tables after going over them twice.

Again at highschool, she struggled. She didn’t recognise any of her pals, and, beginning over, she gravitated to completely different folks.

After a decade of monitoring, Weronika’s tumour began to develop slowly, and in March final yr, the time had come for motion.

Weronika – now 25 and about to be married – wanted surgical procedure.

And certainly one of her first ideas was – would she lose her reminiscence once more?

“I used to be devastated,” she mentioned. “The surgeon mentioned it was undoubtedly doable that it may occur once more. However the tumour was deeper this time and I wanted the surgical procedure to enhance my life expectancy.”

Weronika’s therapy is adopted within the new collection of Surgeons: At the Edge of Life on BBC Two.

Within the seventh collection, which follows surgeons in NHS Lothian, guide neurosurgeon Imran Liaquat explains the jeopardy of the difficult process.

The tumour is in the precise frontal lobe of Weronika’s mind – the realm liable for summary thought, creativity and focus.

He must establish what’s tumour and what’s regular tissue then resect – or lower – round it with out taking tissue that may have an effect on mind operate.

Mr Liaquat mentioned: “Preserving cognitive operate is essential – it is the essence of who we’re as a person and that may be disrupted by surgeons. We stock the issues and push the boundaries of optimum resection and that does bear on you.”

He added that it was crucial to take away as a lot as doable.

“Proof for tumours like Weronikas is that we have to take away no less than 80-90% of the tumour so as to add survival benefit.”

Aiding within the working theatre is the person who carried out Weronika’s unique surgical procedure when she was a youngster – guide neurosurgeon Drahoslav Sokol.

Mr Sokol mentioned: “It is not straightforward to consider doing one other surgical procedure, notably within the context of her earlier complication however we actually have to take away her tumour to forestall additional issues sooner or later.”

Weronika was terrified she would get up and never know who her fiance Cameron was.

“The worry was that the final time it occurred it modified who I used to be – what if I do not truly like him?”

However Cameron took it in his stride, making photographic reminiscence books and scrapbooks of their relationship and writing notes and letters to his fiancee.

He mentioned: “She means every part to me – completely every part. If she was to lose her reminiscence I’d simply should make her fall in love with me once more and take it from there.”

Virtually, Weronika wrote down all her banking particulars and passwords, organised a will, and wrote a letter to her companion for the worst-case situation.

Coming spherical from her operation, the room held its breath.

“I awoke and everybody was there – this time round I did not really feel like I had a surgical procedure, I felt like I had a nap,” Weronika mentioned.

“My household had been in items the entire time.

“However I used to be fully conscious and I knew precisely what occurred. I used to be capable of speak.

“I noticed Imran and I keep in mind saying ‘I nonetheless keep in mind you’.”

Weronika is recovering properly and married Cameron in December.

She is trying ahead to a contented life after 100% of the tumour was eliminated and she or he is indebted to the 2 males who made it occur.

“I do not suppose I may categorical my gratitude to these two surgeons sufficient,” she mentioned.

“That is the second time they’ve saved my life.

“Whenever you watch it you realise what goes into it and they’re like gods – they’re wonderful.”