As I lay all alone, bleeding out on my hospital bed, I could hear the nurses gossiping and laughing somewhere beyond the door. The rudest one was especially loud. Was she trying to kill me on purpose? She had ignored every one of my concerns and poor decision after poor decision had led to this moment: me laying in a pool of my own blood, soaking through the bedsheets with no strength left to move or vocalize a call for help.

I felt no anger, no frustration, but totally consumed by an immense peace as I slipped closer to death. This isn't so bad, I thought. So calm. So relaxed. So easy to just close my eyes and... drift off. Suddenly, I saw the faces of many loved ones and realized I had to FIGHT for my life, RIGHT NOW!

That night was 20 years ago. Had I succumbed, I would have missed out on a beautiful family, a successful career, and a wonderfully fulfilling life for which I will be forever grateful.