Arizona – In an unusual and unfortunate incident, a woman named Cat lost her sense of smell after eating an Italian sub from Subway during a family trip to the Arizona desert in 2013. What began as a simple lunch choice quickly turned into a life-altering event, reminding us of Murphy’s Law: if something can go wrong, it will.
Cat’s story reveals how an unexpected sequence of events—from food poisoning to a concussion—resulted in permanent anosmia, the loss of the ability to smell. Twelve years later, she still lives with the consequences of that fateful meal in the desert.
From a Hunger-Fueled Subway Meal to a Medical Mystery
During a road trip to visit a meteor crater over two hours into the Arizona desert, Cat was starving. The only available meal besides gift shop snacks was a Subway sandwich. She ordered an Italian sub, which she found delicious at the time.
But the enjoyment was short-lived. Cat woke up in the middle of the night with severe illness symptoms that resembled food poisoning. Vomiting and fainting due to the Arizona heat worsened her condition, and in a dizzy spell, she fell backwards, hitting her head. This resulted in a concussion combined with serious poisoning symptoms.
- Fainted from the heat and food poisoning
- Suffered a concussion after falling backward
- Had to change hotel rooms in the middle of the night due to illness severity
How Did the Sense of Smell Disappear?
Initially recovering after flying home, Cat remained unaware that something else was wrong—until weeks later. Distracted, she burned rice on the stove but did not smell the smoke or fire alarm. Her mother’s disbelief turned to concern when Cat couldn’t detect the burnt smell, prompting a neurologist visit.
The neurologist’s skepticism gave way after medical tests, including MRI with contrast, revealed olfactory nerve damage. The concussion caused by the fall had severed the connection between her nose and brain:
“When my brain bounced when I hit the back of my head, my olfactory nerves snapped off, so my nose and my brain just essentially aren’t connected,” Cat explained.
The Hidden Dangers and Effects of Losing One’s Sense of Smell
Anosmia can result from multiple causes, including respiratory illness, medication side effects, diseases like COVID-19, diabetes, and traumatic brain injury—as in Cat’s case. But this condition is more than just inconvenient.
Risks associated with anosmia include:
- Inability to detect smoke, increasing fire hazard risks
- Difficulty identifying spoiled food, leading to potential illness
- Failure to detect gas leaks, posing safety threats
- An early warning sign for neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, according to a Johns Hopkins study of 2,000 older adults
While anosmia often impairs taste, Cat reports her ability to taste remains mostly intact, with only certain pungent flavors like garlic and vanilla diminished.
Looking Back and Forward: Cat’s Experience with Subway and Life Changes
Though Subway’s Italian sub was a catalyst in this extraordinary story, Cat does not hold the company responsible and even joked about a potential brand collaboration.
Her case underscores the unpredictable nature of Murphy’s Law and the intricate connections between seemingly unrelated events. The incident has stayed with her for more than a decade, affecting her daily life and safety awareness.
For more detailed insights, visit the original coverage at BroBible.
Have You Ever Experienced Food-Related Anomalies? Share Your Story!
What do you think about Cat’s story and the unexpected consequences of her Subway meal? Have you or someone you know experienced anosmia or other sensory changes after illness or injury? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!