Brain On Fire

Cahalan is living in New Jersey with her mother and Allen. Stephen visits often. Cahalan is showing some signs of independence, such as bathing and clothing herself with minimal assistance. Some paranoia lingers, but this is a good sign to all because the symptomology of her condition is being experienced by Cahalan in reverse order, as she recovers and returns to her former self. Even the most stoic of Cahalan’s friends break down emotionally when they come to visit her, as they can see some of the person they knew has returned.

The post-op treatment Cahalan must endure is brutal, but she tolerates it with quiet humility. She returns to NYU for a follow-up assessment with some of her former neurologists. The song, “California Dreamin,” by the Mama & the Papas, plays on the radio as Stephen drives Cahalan home. For a brief moment, Cahalan recognizes this song and sings along with Stephen with the same energy she had before her illness. This is one in a series of signs that Cahalan’s recovery is genuine.

Cahalan has recovered enough where she begins to have questions about the time in the hospital she cannot recall. She begins watching DVDs of footage of herself during her time on the epilepsy floor at NYU.