What is Cellular Memory...and does it exist?
I haven't even heard of this until late this evening. I was on FB scrolling through my news feed and found that one of the pages I'm subscribed to had an article regarding 'cellular memory'. Cellular memory is a variation of body memory, the psuedoscientific hypothesis that memories can be stored in individual cells (Wikipedia 2012). I began reading the article and couldn't believe what I was reading. Finally, I felt like I wasn't losing my mind. There have been so many changes that I have been trying to cope with since my transplant. And for anyone who knows me, I'm a definitely a 'thinker'. I like to think and process things until I have a full understanding of what is occurring in my life.
Since my transplant, I have made statements to my family and friends about some of the changes I have gone through. Many of those changes have been related to my food and seasonal allergies, which appear to be non-existent now. Now, this could be definitely related to the chemotherapy and wiping out my immune system, but could it also be in relation to my donor??? Another change which really perplexes me is my craving for seafood. My whole life I have hated seafood. I have disliked it so much that I have even ordered a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from a restaurant because I didn't want to eat seafood. Now, I crave it. Could this also be in relation to my donor??? I also enjoyed eating sweets and now I can hardly enjoy even a bite of cakes, cookies, pies etc. I'm really not complaining much about that due to their unhealthy nature but I can't help but wonder, could this be related to my donor???
As I stated before in one of my previous blogs, I was battling the feeling as though my body was just a vessel that doesn't entirely feel as though it belongs to me anymore. It's having the knowledge of knowing that the blood that flows through my body is no longer my own. It's someone else's (with their cells and genetic make-up). So, is it really that hard to believe that some of the changes I have gone through both physically and mentally could be related to this 'cellular memory' theory.
Even my taste in music has changed. As weird as this may be, I have a very broad spectrum of music that I listen too. I grew up listening to 50's music and have always enjoyed but now I'm finding it very hard to tolerate, along with country. I still have a broad spectrum but if I'm somewhere and that music begins to play, I become very annoyed and just want to change the station. I have been wondering why this sudden change in my taste of music. Could this be related to my donor as well???
I know I really won't have the answers as to why these things are occurring. Could it be donor related? Could it just be related to the whole experience with the possibility of death and changing my thoughts, views and perspectives on life? Who really knows, but it does give you something to think about.
I found it very interesting in one of the articles below, that gave a statistic of the top three countries that import and export donations. Those three countries consisted of the United States 45%; Germany 29% and France 25%. I had stated in a previous blog about my donor being a 100% match and being of European descent. I am half French and half Slovak. How interesting and how likely it maybe that my donor may just be a French woman and may very well share a genetic history. I can't wait to explore this further and hope that she will communicate with me. Ironically,one of the many countries that has read my blogs has been France. Could this mean something???
Could I be reading too much into this? Maybe. But I truly believe there has too be some correlation with all of it. As I mentioned, I have been thinking about this for the past two years and have never heard of 'cellular memory' until just this evening. I really don't believe in coincidences. I believe there is a correlation and I'm definitely going to explore this.
If you have undergone a transplant or know of anyone who has, have you or they experienced any of these symptoms. If so, please comment. I'm really curious and I want to learn more.
Organ Transplants and Cellular Memory (http://www.paulpearsall.com/info/press/3.html)
Cellular Memory - Myth or Reality??? (http://suite101.com/article/cellular-memory---myth-or-reality-a303357)
I think you read the same article that I read yesterday on Facebook as well! I had my transplant 16 months ago and have experienced some of the same things. My sister was my donor and I find myself liking foods that I used to not like so much and I also have no allergies that I have noticed. I used to be allergic to various things all year round and my sister has never had any allergies. I think this is so interesting! Thanks for posting...I enjoy your blog :)
ReplyDeleteMy husband ate, and enjoyed, Oriental food for the first time after his second transplant. I wondered the same thing. After talking to his donor I have found so many similarities that they share, but I have yet to ask about Chinese food. I WILL do this.
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