Man loses memories due to rare brain cancer

Zachary Schimmel, a 27-year-old from New York, has lost all memories from an entire year of his life due to a rare brain cancer. He first became aware of something being wrong after collapsing at a friend's house in North Carolina. Initially, he thought it was due to heat exhaustion. However, after another collapse, he was taken to the hospital where he suffered seizures. At the hospital, doctors performed a CT scan that revealed a tumor in his brain. The tumor was identified as a pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation (PPTID), which is extremely rare, with less than 100 documented cases. Zachary underwent emergency surgery to remove the tumor, but the intense treatment included 12 surgeries in a single month. This series of procedures left him with significant memory loss. As a result of the tumor's location, Zachary also faced various health challenges. He experienced balance issues, vision problems, and needed physical therapy to regain basic functions like walking and speaking. His tumor, measuring 4cm, was pressing on his pineal gland, which affected several bodily functions. After extensive treatment, including more than six months of chemotherapy, Zachary was declared cancer-free in April 2022. Unfortunately, the tumor had caused damage to his optic nerve, leaving him legally blind. Despite these challenges, he is learning Braille and training to work as a web analyst. Zachary now lives with his sister and her husband, who provide support as he continues to recover. His journey has been difficult, but he remains hopeful and encourages others facing cancer to view their diagnosis not as the end, but as a new beginning.