Hello everyone, in this post I am sharing how my recent experience in a coma has changed my life, an how I have gained a new vision on life.
It was exactly 4 weeks ago that I had to have emergency surgery to an abscess that had occurred following the removal of my wisdom teeth a week prior. Unfortunately a nasty infection had nestled itself in my jaw/neck and the amount of swelling caused major impact on the airways – combined with major sepsis my life was all of a sudden turned upside down. Within 4 hours after being admitted to the emergency department, I was in theatre. I was kept in an induced coma post surgery due to the severity of swelling near the airways. It all hit me so quickly, I had barely time to think about what, why, how and when.
The Road To Recovery
Now, four weeks later I am back on my feet. My body is functioning well and I have really shed a layer of who I used to be. I feel that after waking up from coma I have a new perspective, a new vision on life.
Although I am still on the road to recovery, I am so extremely grateful for so many things that I previously took for granted (or simply did not pay attention to). I am especially grateful for my health, and especially the fact that the body can heal itself. Even though this medical ordeal has been a very traumatic experience – There is always a silver lining.
As you can see, even people that are generally healthy and fit, can get very ill, very quickly. I am so grateful that I have spent the last 10 years, studying health, wellbeing, fitness, yoga, and have done the best I could in looking after my health and wellbeing, which I believe has been a tremendous benefit to my speedy recovery. Make sure you keep following me on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest tips, tricks and inspiration to live your healthiest life yet!
Looking back to three weeks ago, I was only able to walk 200m which took me about 20 minutes and required my friend’s arm for assistance as I simply was too weak and wobbly to walk on my own. Now, I am able to walk by myself, care for myself, I can wash myself (thank god!) and I can even drive my car again. Most importantly, I am starting to feel more like myself again.
My cognitive function is improving daily – although it being with small steps at a time. Remember that small steps are very important, it is not about how big the step is , it is the fact that we move forward, that we don’t regress (go backwards). Here’s a good quote that sums it up well:
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Like I always say to my clients and my during group fitness classes, it is not about you competing with someone else, it is simply about you getting that little bit better than where/who you were yesterday or last week or last year. The only person you have to beat, the only person you have to make happy and healthy, is yourself.
Here’s what I’ve learnt after waking up from coma
After being in coma I learnt some amazing lessons – here are my top take aways:
- All That You Really Have Is Right Here Right Now
- At Some Point – You’ve Got To Let Go
- It’s Okay To Ask For Help
- Without The Lows There Are No Highs
- Gratitude & Positivity Really Aid Recovery
- Sometimes Your Plans Are Redirected
- There’s Always A Silver Lining
- It’s Okay To Look Back
All That You Really Have Is Right Here Right Now
No matter how fit you look, no matter how many push-ups you can do, no matter how strong you are, no matter how healthy you are, or how many digits are in your bank account, all that you really have, is this moment right here right now. Once something (medically) traumatic happens in life – your priorities are altered and you’ll realise what’s truly important in life. Do you know what’s really important in your life?
At Some Point – You’ve Got To Let Go
Once you get really ill and once things are beyond your control, there really is nothing you can do. When you have to have emergency surgery, you realise that you have to literally “hand over control” to the surgeon, the anaesthetist and the nurses. You have to accept that you are not in control (duh! I know right?).
When you are unconscious in coma, there is literally nothing you can do. In my case, I was unable to speak, move and see, yet I was able to hear (so for those of you that think people in coma can’t hear you, think again!!).
It’s Okay To Ask For Help
When you are sick and unable to move, when you are relying on other people to help you do basic things such as going to the bathroom, such as washing, feeding and brushing your hair, learning to ask for help really is the silver lining. It really is okay to ask for help, whether you are healthy, sick, incapacitated or not, it does not matter one little bit. Reaching out and asking for help is OKAY! (you’re only human remember?).
I know many people around me that simply don’t ask for help. Please know that you don’t have to do it all on your own, remember that there are others out there that are willing to help you with love and care. Remember that there is support around you. Remember that it is okay to ask. It really is a skill to learn to ask for help when you need it. Thank you my friend (you know who you are) for guiding me in this lesson, without your words of wisdom I would not have been able to see things the way I see it now 🙂
Personally I never asked for help and I always thought that I had to do things on my own (I didn’t want to bother anyone else). Being a very individualistic person I am extremely self reliable and I thought that asking for help was a sign of weakness. Now I have learnt the opposite, and I thank all of those who have been there to help me through this challenging situation, without you I would not have made it through the way I did. Many blessings to you!
Without The Lows There Are No Highs
Whether you relate this to a medical event, a business set back, a break up or general life set back – to me it’s all the same. You cannot experience good days without experiencing bad days. You cannot know the flavour of a good apple without biting in a bad one. Whilst I was recovering in hospital I experienced a major emotional rollercoaster that was more scary than the tower of terror at movie world.
After waking up from coma I felt quite optimistic and I felt extremely grateful for the fact that I was able to open my eyes, that I was able to speak (although it being slurry) and I was so grateful for the fact that I had loved ones around me when I woke up.
However after this it all went downhill, rather rapidly. The following days I felt extremely low, almost depressed, being stuck in a hospital, being incapacitated and simply feeling very weak, tired, lethargic, and completely not myself. The realisation that I was not myself, and that I had to ask for help, and that all my plans had to be changed, really shook me up. But after a little cry (read a LOT) and once I accepted what had happened and where I was, I was able to get back on track – mainly thanks to the support from loved ones around me.
Major take away -> human connection is SO important to our existence. Whether sick or healthy, feeling connected and loved and having loved ones around you to talk to has been a major part of my recovery.
Gratitude & Positivity Really Aid Recovery
Since adopting a gratitude practice many years ago, I have now personally experienced how gratitude and a positive attitude can aid recovery. Whilst I experienced this emotional and physical rollercoaster of good days, bad days and even worse days, I aimed to always look for that little bit of positivity (although it was had at times).
I always focused on that things that I HAD such as the ability to walk, the ability to swallow food and drink, the ability to see, the ability to use my hands to hold a book to read and my phone for entertainment and connection to my family and friends overseas (oh and thanks for internet and FaceTime).
Being in hospital quickly makes you realise how much you actually have to be grateful for. I happened to be in the orthopaedic ward which means I was surrounded by older people with injuries that were much more incapacitating than my situation – at least I could walk, talk and move (thank god!).
Sometimes Your Plans Are Redirected
I like being organised and I like to have things planned. In my head, calendar and bank account, I had it all planned out, the next two months were going to be amazing and filled with many exciting events!!! I had it all worked out ready to book my overseas acro yoga training and ready to do the extra work shifts that I had picked up at my job which I love. I was so excited and I was so looking forward to all this.
Then my medical emergency hit me in the face like a brick wall.
All of a sudden everything that I had planned was not going to happen…. It was so frustrating because I was so excited, and coming to the realisation that I was unable to do this things as planned, was quite saddening. But after a while, I was able to accept what had happened.
I accepted that I had to let go of these plans and I had to trust the universe that I was on the right track and that good things would be coming my way (although it being a different timeframe than initially planned).
I realised that what was happening to me now was simply a redirection. This redirection has made me see things differently, has made me prioritise things differently and has made me slow down. It’s also put me on a path of further spiritual and personal development in areas I had not looked before.
There’s Always A Silver Lining
Now, 4 weeks later, looking back at the situation, I can see the silver lining. It has not been easy, and those close to me know how hard it has been, however I have awoken as a new women with a new perception on life.
My new perception is that life really is short and that there is always a silver lining to whatever it is that is happening in life. I have learnt to savour the little things, I have learnt who I can truly rely on when required, and I have learnt that it is okay to ask for help.
I have learnt that it is not okay to be the hero and put up with pain, instead it is important to really know yourself and to know your body (both physically, mentally and intuitively) so that you know when things aren’t right.
Major take away -> Sometimes you really have to put the ego aside and tune in to yourself…. Tap in to that instinctive feeling inside you, your intuition. Know that all knowledge and all wisdom is inside you. Once you have come to the realisation, and have accepted the situation, you can move forward in a clear direction. Remember to LISTEN to your body when it whispers!!!!
It’s Okay To Look Back
I’ve read this quote “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way” but I disagree in a sense that it’s okay to look back, because you can see how far you’ve come and you can look at what you’ve learned from a particular event or situation. You can now choose to take this lesson with you moving forward.
Just remember to not get hung up on the past…. It’s not really productive anyway. Here’s a quote as food for thought:
“We are all here for a reason.
Stop being a prisoner of your past.
Become an architect of your future.”
Thank You
I hope you enjoyed this post and that it has been inspirational and helpful to you. Make sure you keep looking after yourself on a mental, physical, emotional and spiritual level.
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