Swiftie forgets Taylor Swift lyric and discovers serious brain condition

A 24-year-old Taylor Swift fan from North Carolina discovered she had a serious brain condition after repeatedly forgetting the lyrics to her favourite songs — an early warning sign that something was deeply wrong.

Hannah-Ireland Durando, a costume designer and actress, told South West News Service (SWNS) she realised something was off when she couldn’t remember the words to Swift’s Haunted (Taylor’s Version) — a track she’d sung countless times. “I was in the car driving to work, singing along, and then my head went blank,” she recalled.

What began as minor forgetfulness soon spiralled into something far more serious. Durando said she became withdrawn, lethargic, and struggled to get out of bed. Once a self-described “party animal” and Marvel fan, she lost interest in things that once brought her joy.

Doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as stress-related or “normal for women,” according to Durando. But in August 2024, she collapsed at work with intense ear pain, blurred vision, and dizziness. A CT scan revealed what was initially thought to be a tumour pressing on her left frontal lobe — the part of the brain linked to memory, emotion, and personality.

Further tests in December revealed a cavernoma: a tangled mass of blood vessels that can cause bleeding, seizures, and stroke-like symptoms. Its location makes surgery too risky. She now lives with chronic migraines, balance issues, and memory challenges.

Despite the uncertainty, Durando hopes her story encourages others — especially young women — to push for answers. “I just wish I had said something sooner and that I wasn’t ignored,” she said.

Though she still struggles with memory, Durando hopes she’ll one day be able to sing along to her favourite Taylor Swift songs again — without forgetting a word.