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A mother-of-one who forgot she had a family after suffering a brain injury has been dubbed the ‘real life first 50 dates’.
former journalist nesh pillay32, suffered a head injury in a car accident in South Africa at the age of nine.
But, as a result, she was plagued with other concussions throughout her life, with the symptoms getting worse each time.
In October of last year, Nesh, who lives in Toronto, suffered another blow to the head, which this time caused him an episode of severe memory loss, even forgetting that he had a partner and a six-year-old daughter.
Still rediscovering herself, Nesh has been documenting her recovery on TikTok and candidly sharing the realities of life after severe brain injury.
Former journalist Nesh Pillay suffered a head injury in a car accident in South Africa at the age of nine but was plagued with other concussions throughout her life as a result.
He recently suffered an episode of severe memory loss, even forgetting that he had a partner and a six-year-old daughter.
Nesh was first injured as a child at a time when “not much was known about traumatic brain injuries.”
She said that as time went on, it took less and less of a blow to the head to cause a concussion, and the resulting symptoms got worse each time.
And in October 2022, his health hit an all-time low.
Explaining the incident, he said news week: ‘I told my family that I had hit my head, but I don’t remember.’
Feeling unwell, she went to take a nap, but when she woke up she was “very confused” and “didn’t know what was going on.”
Then, over the course of a couple of hours, I lost my memory. That night I didn’t know who my partner was, I didn’t know much about my daughter. That’s so hard,’ she told the outlet.
Nesh said she was in a constant state of panic and it was “difficult” not to be able to recognize those around her.
The mother-of-one has been dubbed the ‘real life 50 first dates’ after falling in love with her partner all over again following his memory loss.
Still rediscovering herself, Nesh has been candidly sharing the realities of life after a severe brain injury.
Nesh also couldn’t remember her partner, who took time off from work to be by her side, even mistaking him for her Uber driver at one point.
She explained: “My neurologist thinks I probably had some sort of minor lump, and that I may have had some seizures after that.”
As a result, family members had to be with Nesh all the time, even while she was taking a shower, as she would forget what she was doing and where she was.
Nesh, who said she still can’t remember much of October or November, has been in and out of hospitals ever since and sharing her recovery on TikTok.
In a series of candid videos, he’s been documenting the realities of life after brain injury while battling symptoms like nausea and vomiting, as well as fear and confusion.
The mother-of-one has gained more than 33,000 followers and was soon dubbed ‘real life’s first 50 dates’.
In one of the insightful videos, Nesh shares a selection of clips as she narrates: ‘A few months ago, I lost my mind, well my memory.
Her daughter was largely shielded from the worst parts of the condition, but Nesh said: “I think I feel more guilty about the impact this has on her.”
Nesh, who said she still can’t remember much of October or November, has been in and out of hospitals ever since and sharing her recovery on TikTok.
“I didn’t know my age or what year it was, so I was surprised to find my adult sisters.
“I thought my partner was a hired help and struggled to remember my own daughter. I even lost my short term memory.
‘There were many visits to doctors, hospital visits and tests.
I don’t remember most of the last few months, but I am definitely on the road to recovery.
“This situation has taught me to value my brain and my memories and to spend as much of my life as I can creating new memories.”
Other clips show her struggling with ‘overwhelming’ trips to the mall and the stress of remembering what to pack for vacation.
Nesh also couldn’t remember his partner (pictured together), who took time off work to be by his side, even mistaking him for his Uber driver at one point.
Doctors are currently not sure what caused Nesh’s memory loss, but she continues to improve in her recovery.
A fellow TikToker commented, “So 50 First Dates wasn’t just a fantasy story…is it possible?” And others were quick to see the similarities as well.
Nesh has said that throughout her memory loss she has been more aware of the impact it is having on her family.
Her daughter was largely shielded from the worst parts of the condition, but Nesh said: “I think I feel more guilty about the impact this has on [my daughter].
‘There was a time when I called her “the girl”.
“Imagine going from having a very committed mother who loves her son so much to someone calling you ‘the boy’.”
She admitted that while in many ways she had forgotten how to be a mother, the emotions were still there.
Nesh also couldn’t remember her partner, who took time off work to be by her side, even mistaking him for her Uber driver at one point.
She said he hasn’t started to “process the trauma of it all” yet, but added that his continued patience and commitment to her has only solidified their love.
Currently, doctors are not sure what caused Nesh’s memory loss, but she continues to get better and better in her recovery.