A Toast to Life - I almost died last week

CameraQuest

CameraQuest

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Long story short, I was walking around for 10 days with a dull pain in my side and fever. The pain was much like a slight muscle pull, not that bad. The fever was manageable with Advil.

I finally saw my doctor expecting something minor, only to find out I had a burst appendix. I was immediately admitted and had surgery that day. My body formed an abscess around the rupture which prevented sepsis. Had that abscess broken, there likely would have been a different story.

I easily could have died or have had a very long and tough recovery. Instead I am extraordinarily lucky to be alive and feeling a bit sore, but feeling well.

Most near death experiences I have read about were people who knew they were in dire circumstances. Not me. For 10 days I was clueless of the immediate danger.

Well, its true. Such an experience does change you. Life is sweeter and more precious now. The sun is a bit brighter. Friends and family are a bit dearer. The air is fresher. Upsets are harder to get upset about, and most look silly and meaningless now. Its time to reevaluate my life and my purpose to accomplish more, to appreciate and love life more.

You might wonder why this post is in this category. Let me assure you that such an experience will most likely change your philosophy of life, let alone your philosophy of photograpy.

The silver lining is that I will make sure I get more out of my life going forward. I never written such a personal post before. I am writing in the hopes that sharing might help others to get more out of their lives too.

Best to Everyone,

Stephen
 
CameraQuest said:
L

Well, its true. Such an experience does change you. Life is sweeter and more precious now. The sun is a bit brighter. Friends and family are a bit dearer. The air is fresher. Upsets are harder to get upset about, and most look silly and meaningless now. Its time to reevaluate my life and my purpose to accomplish more, to appreciate and love life more.

You might wonder why this post is in this category. Let me assure you that such an experience will most likely change your philosophy of life, let alone your philosophy of photograpy.

The silver lining is that I will make sure I get more out of my life going forward. I never written such a personal post before. I am writing in the hopes that sharing might help others to get more out of their lives too.

Best to Everyone,

Stephen
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it, and I know the feeling. Been there, done that, but with a heart ailment. It does change your attitude for the better, but the trick is to not let your newfound awareness of life's value be swallowed up again by the more mundane concerns of the world tugging at your sleeve every day. It's a gift.
As Churchill said, "there is nothing so exhilarating as being shot at without result."

Best wishes going forward, Stephen

Larry
 
Stephen- you're incredibly lucky to be alive and like you say it is
a wake-up call for you. Continued good health and long life.
 
Well there's the comfort of knowing that will never happen again...
Allow your body to heal...then back to conquering the world...take care...
 
So glad to hear you are alive and well! You have given me a lot ot think about. I often feel I am clueless, not just about health issues, but about life itself. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.
Darya
 
Glad to hear the situation was caught and corrected, feel much better quickly!

Yes, life is short and Time is precious. I've experienced a few years of dancing with the fates, both personally and with friends of mine who are my age and beginning to feel it. So far so good. The experience does change your eyes. Hold onto that as long as you can, it is refreshing to have a new perspective and can change your life.

Eat every sandwich with gusto.

G
 
Your story is a great example of the importance of paying attention to unusual aches and pains in our body and following it up by consulting a doctor. You are a very lucky man. Thanks for sharing your story.

Interestingly enough, many years ago I took my sister-in-law to a clinic as she was suffering from extreme pain in her abdomen. The doctor examined her, found nothing seriously wrong, and told her to go home. The pain did not go away. The very next day, she was rushed to the hospital and had to have an emergency appendectomy. In her case, the doctors at the first clinic she went to did not diagnose the problem.
 
Thanks for your post

Thanks for your post

Having passed this way several times with heart problems, I understand. Its hard to get upset about the little things when you have faced the end. I first discovered your website in 2000 when I had a bypass. It helped get me through. Good luck and keep up the good work with the forum.

David
 
I lost my wife to cancer 14 years ago. That changed my outlook on life.

Last week, while driving on two lane highway, a red Mustang got two thirds into my lane and headed for me at at least 60 miles per hour. (Probably texting.) I missed him by inches but it didn't faze me like it would have years ago.

Best wishes for a quick recovery.
 
Glad to hear you are ok.

Please continue to enjoy being alive just the way you do now. That new perspective can bring great satisfaction.
 
Good call going to the doctor and happy that will be okay.

A colleague of mine at work was diagnosed last year with Prion disease, which is terminal.
It changed my outlook - be happy in what you do and live to the fullest.
 
CameraQuest said:
Long story short, I was walking around for 10 days with a dull pain in my side and fever. The pain was much like a slight muscle pull, not that bad. The fever was manageable with Advil.

I finally saw my doctor expecting something minor, only to find out I had a burst appendix. I was immediately admitted and had surgery that day. My body formed an abscess around the rupture which prevented sepsis. Had that abscess broken, there likely would have been a different story.

I easily could have died or have had a very long and tough recovery. Instead I am extraordinarily lucky to be alive and feeling a bit sore, but feeling well.

Most near death experiences I have read about were people who knew they were in dire circumstances. Not me. For 10 days I was clueless of the immediate danger.

Well, its true. Such an experience does change you. Life is sweeter and more precious now. The sun is a bit brighter. Friends and family are a bit dearer. The air is fresher. Upsets are harder to get upset about, and most look silly and meaningless now. Its time to reevaluate my life and my purpose to accomplish more, to appreciate and love life more.

You might wonder why this post is in this category. Let me assure you that such an experience will most likely change your philosophy of life, let alone your philosophy of photograpy.

The silver lining is that I will make sure I get more out of my life going forward. I never written such a personal post before. I am writing in the hopes that sharing might help others to get more out of their lives too.

Best to Everyone,

Stephen
Click to expand...

Wow! Great to hear the good news! I know that was close and it does change you. Best wishes from the both of us!:)
 
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