Twenty years ago this month a fight for my life that changed it all.
Sitting at the hospital this morning it dawned on me.
It must of been that unique sterile hospital smell that brought the memories flooding back.
Two months of my life in walls similar to these.
Everyone has a story and point in their life that can defeat then or define them.
I’ve told the story before but on its two decade anniversary. One more time can’t hurt.
Ironically, I was 20 years old back then. Healthy as an ox and just as stubborn to boot.
One day I woke up in a complete fog and had urinated myself. To say embarrassed is an understatement.
Obviously, something wasn’t right but I kept it to myself thinking must of been a freak accident. Well, the next morning it happened again.
So, after a battery of tests of I was diagnosed with a seizure disorder. After a few weeks I figured ok I’ve got this disorder but with meds in cool.
Usually yes. For me it was the start of a whole different journey.
I felt ill and was coughing and throwing up. My stamina was crap and the Dr’s thought I had bronchitis. Well, after two months of the same tune and 45 lbs dropped the Dr’s took an xray and said you need to go to the hospital now.
That was a cozy feeling I’ll never forget.
My mother took me to the hospital and the next day a pulmonary specialist tried a procedure where he would extract infection from my lungs that were over 90% full of infection and I had pneumonia.
He tried and it failed almost hilariously. The infection was thick as an orange peel. For us not in the medical field. That’s a bad thing.
So, a surgeon was brought in to open up my chest like a heart operation and get all the infection put of my lungs
They got me on the operating table and put me out.
A little too well.
I crashed twice for a total time of almost 3 min and then all hell broke loose.
I got a 33 day nap. I guess they call it a coma
Over a month in the ICU fighting for my life and draining liters and liters of puss and infection from my body.
A coma is a funny thing… I have memories of people who talked to while out and they confirmed what I said later. A weird place.
One day I woke up with restraints and a breathing tube. I snapped the restraints and pulled out my tube. Guess I was freaked out and wasn’t sure how to call the nurses station.
After a few days I was stable enough to go to a private room. Soooo excited.
Until I realized I couldn’t walk. That coupled with scratching my vocal cords from pulling my tube I am unable to speak or walk.
I fucking lost it. Cried and sobbed…
They put me in a inpatient rehabilitation to get back. Whatever that may look like…
They said I’d be there for months. 7am until 5pm M-F learning to walk again
Speak again
Think again. I couldn’t do basic math.
I had a resolve that I’d be out in 4 weeks hell or high water.
So many visits and cards (over 300) and love drove me to get back. I was changed forever.
A drive to attack whatever I want relentlessly and when you have your voice gone for a time. You never let anyone take that voice ever again.
So one month and a day ( I was close ) I walked out on a cane. My own two feet. The Dr’s were I don’t know…impressed or perplexed.
The rest of my recovery took about two long years to fully recover to think, speak, and compete at a comparable level I once was.
This event changed me forever.
Driven and grateful.
It’s my baseline for anyone I Coach. I know what the human body is capable of mentally and physically. It’s truly remarkable!
I’ve died and had my entire life taken from me as I knew it.
What I got I’m return was worth it.
The introduction to my true self. The me that’s uncut and unfiltered here to help and change lives.
So, here’s to telling this story again in another ten years and helping others with their comeback story.
Everyone has a story and this is part of mine.
Happy Anniversary
