This is my story of how I got a second chance at life.
In 1984, I suddenly got a severe headache. It hit me all at once. The pain never stopped. When I say severe, I mean extreme pain. With no relief, I visited the emergency room 2 times to no avail. They said I had TMJ. And sent me home.
My mother did everything she knew to help ease the pain. After a visit back to my doctor, Who literally saved my life, He looked in my eyes and said I need to go to Olympia immediately. I did not want to go by ambulance, So we drove.
When we arrived, They took some tests. I was holding my head. It hurt so bad. The results showed a blood vessel had broken in my right frontal lobe of my brain. I had a golf ball size blood clot and was scheduled for surgery the next day. They said it was a miracle I walked in there. And it was a miracle I was alive
All I wanted was for the pain to go away. I was barely able to understand what they were telling me was happening. I swear my mother aged 10 years while sitting there listening to what could happen from the surgery.
I was a rebel back in those days. I partied a lot and was a selfish brat so as to speak. Here I was at the hall heading to brain surgery. I was in to much pain to realize what was actually going on.
Next thing I remember was waking up and asking for a cigarette. And I was in recovery. Trust me, The nurses found me a bed as soon as possible. From what I heard I was giving them a lot of trouble.
They had me on so much medication, I didn't know my own name. The first time they got me up to walk I thought I was walking sideways on the wall. It was very hard. Then after I was moved I had a seizure. That is normal for the kind of brain surgery the surgeon performed.
I was told the cause was one of 2 things, Either the drugs, Or the beatings to the head I got from an abusive boyfriend. I suppose I will never really know for sure.
I recovered and am fine. I did have seizures for a while till the blood vessels re routed themselves after the surgery. I am telling this because I do feel I had a second chance at life. Major brain surgery with a golf ball size blood clot removed.
And it gave me a new understanding about how precious life is. I went to college less than a year after the surgery. Still a bit of a rebel. But growing and maturing. There are no effects from this. The only personality changes I had was while I was on all the prescription drugs for a year or more after the surgery.
It was an obstacle. But I do feel so fortunate. So many things could have went wrong while under the knife. But they didn't. It also gave me more understanding of ones who have Epilepsy. As I did have seizures for a while. And I was bald for a couple of months.
My hair means a lot to me now. It looked cool after it grew back in though. Thick and full. If life gives you a second chance, Run with it. You can accomplish anything. If you do not use lifes bumps as an excuse for not moving on.
It was painful. Many years ago. But I am ok and I wanted to share my second chance for life with you. There may be a bit of a scar under all my hair. But I don't notice it.
I feel very deep feelings for my doctor I had at the time. If it wouldn't have been for him looking in my eyes with that light and seeing what he did. I would not have made it. I owe him and my surgeon my life. And my male nurse a thanks for the great treatment I received while in the hospital.
Wow, What a miracle it was. To come out of that. I also owe my mom a thank you for teaching me how to take care of my health. Which I do now. Thanks mom, I miss you. But your wisdom lives on through me.
It took me a long time to appreciate the fact that I was given this second chance at life. I took it for granted for a long time. Now I realize how precious each moment is. I no longer take this gift of life for granted. I try to treat others with kindness and help any I am able to.
Never did I use what happened to me as an excuse to not move on nor did I pity myself. There are people who have went through so much more than I ever have. I see life in a optimistic way. Because yes, I was given a second chance.
Now it is up to me to use that chance to better myself and help those around me. What a precious gift life is. That is my story. I waited to tell it until I fully realized what I was given. Take care and remember, The best way to overcome lifes obstacles, is by helping others.
May life bring you the peace and happiness you deserve.
 
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