A Toast to Life - I almost died last week

Glad for the good news, hope you're doing better
Try to keep that philosophy, it can be hard to retain as regular life gets back to normal
 
Another one here who's glad to hear that you're OK Stephen. I really don't know if I would have gone to the Dr. in time. Kudos for doing the best thing.

Let's all enjoy life now.

And as for Churchhill's quote: "Nothing more exhilarating than being shot at with no result"......Wrong! Probably the most terrifying and unpleasant feeling in my life. I do look at life differently now though. That's a real phenomenon.

Now stay healthy! Everyone.
 
CameraQuest said:
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
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I am glad you came through it and all will be well for you. I wish you a speedy and complete recovery.
 
good reminder, stephen, it's easy to get bogged down in things that are ultimately irrelevant. glad you are well.
 
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
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I will pray for you to have continued good health. I had my appendix out in 1972. But I wasn't near as close to death as you were. Stay with us please.

Ken Ford said:
Reading your first paragraph, I knew exactly what had happened. The question is, would I have recognized it if it were happening to myself?

Great news that you had a good outcome!
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Interesting. My first thought was heart related. My experience with my appendix was more like what Ornate Wrasse described.
 
I was 8 years old when my appendix ruptured. Fortunately, when a healthy kid that age can no longer stand upright but claims "I'm OK," reasonable adults don't believe the "OK" part, so my Mom took me to my pediatrician, who told her to send me to the ER immediately, where they did a few tests, shot a happy med into my arm, put a mask on me, and next thing I know I'm in a hospital bed with a big bandage on my belly! On the plus side, I did get to enjoy all the ginger ale I wanted while recovering!

Congrats on catching it! Hopefully you also got all the ginger ale you wanted!
 
back alley said:
big life events can cause big changes in life...
i encourage you to stick with your new approach to life and living as it is very easy to let it slip to the back of the mind.
my heart attack changed me...for awhile but then old behaviours started to creep back into my life.
it's a constant struggle...
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This is so true.
Glad you dodged this bullet. Best wishes...S
 
Hope it all goes well Stephen.

Young'un chiming in. It is quite strange for us to be aware of how fleeting life can be (unless there's been trauma), but I have a friend who is a MD and has seen many losses in his family the last year.
At the moment no one close to me, but I know how precious life is and enjoy the most possible. Might be a bit fatalistic, but I draw a lot of enjoyment doin things and not stressing much.


I did have intestinal complications at age 1-2 and my dad told me I barely made it, and almost traspassed in an ambulance. Kind of takes your heart.
FrozenInTime said:
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.
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I don't know why I ended up reading about such diseases. It is strange really how many ailiments there are. Strength to your friend and family.
 
Dear Bartender,

I will hoist one in celebration. Take care and be well, Stephen.
 
It's heartening when--in a community like this where few of us have met and most of us never see one another--a member has the trust and courage to share difficult personal experiences, and their spiritual or philosophical significance.

When the member who does so is the community's figurehead, RFFer-in-chief, it is good for the whole community's heart. Thanks and be well, Stephen.
 
The currency of life is not measured in metrics of material value but what is the very definition of currency itself, to simply flow.

You have good fuses Stephen, now really let the current flow... . . . . .
 
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