I was in a coma for 6 days about 7 1/2 years ago. My family were told I had a 20% chance to live. I wasn’t aware of anything while I was in the coma. I was however TERRIFIED when I came out. I start screaming at the nurses (majorly uncharacteristic of me). So apparently when I was in the coma about 12 hours before I was conscious again, I unknowingly ripped my breathing tube out of my throat. Not knowing it would actually save my life. The doctors were worrying how long they were going to keep the tube in for. I was told that if it were in a few days longer It probably would have collapsed my lungs. I remember not being able to walk very well. I was super weak and walking wasn’t my strong suit at that point. The doctors and nurses told me they didn’t want me to walk at all after the first time. I’m a pretty big guy (6’ 230lbs ish) and all that water buffalo on the ground, it would take a very large group of people to pick me up (or one medium sized crane). But I said I’m gonna walk. And I did. I forced my self to walk. To the end of the hall the 2nd time. (Bed to door the first time) and so on, a little longer every time. Until after 3 days I could walk around the whole floor twice. I was sent home then. It still took 3 minuets to get up 14 stairs for a few days after I got there.

I tell y’all 1 important lesson I learned. There could be no tomorrow. There is only today. Who cares if someone cut you off in traffic and stupid [stuff] like that. Love your family, love your friends, love your husband, love your wife, love your girlfriend or boyfriend. But love yourself. Most of all and I can’t stress this enough, love everyone else. Be nice to people. SMILE ONCE IN A WHILE!! A simple smile can brighten someone’s day. Even if you fake it it will still being joy to people (just don’t to that creepy smile. You’re scaring people. STOP lol). You know what’s important in your life and you realize everything else that’s negative is not something you need in your life. Since then I have a saying “Be the pebble”. As I said a snails can brighten up someone day even if you fake it. That small gesture can spread like ripples in a pond and open up a world of positivity. Laugh more and surround yourself with love more. The more love you have, the more love you’ll give.

Let the little things go. They are not worth it.

No, I was unaware of anything. When I woke up, I did not remember being pregnant. My husband told me that we now had a baby girl and I was puzzled how. I had a stroke at 9mos pregnant and started seizing. I was rushed to the hospital and had a csection. My daughter was over a week old before I met her. My husband took care of us both and saved our lives. She is now a nursing student at UCF and we have married for 26 years.