My most memorable Christmas will probably remain my worst Christmas ever. In 2004, the week leading up to Christmas, I began experiencing acute abdominal pain. I was in an out of the emergency room multiple times that week. I was finally admitted to the local hospital on Christmas Eve. I was misdiagnosed multiple times. I saw the Indian Tsunami on the tv in my hospital room on December 26. It broke my heart to see the devastation. I was somewhat selfish, because I was more concerned about how long I had to live. I had multiple unnecessary procedures done to me. I was finally transferred to Jane Phillips Center, where I was put under care of a specialist. I was properly diagnosed, and received the surgery I needed. I was opened up from the pelvic area up to my sternum. My epidrual was misplaced, so when I came out of surgery, I felt every bit of pain. I would not wish that pain on my worst enemy. Making matters worse, we soon found out that surgery was botched. I had to go through the same surgery again. In July of 2005, I was free from the hospital, and my body was functioning somewhat normally. The diet of ice-chips I was on in much of this eight month period turned my already slender body into just skin on top of bones.

Now that I got you all depressed, I walked away with much:

• I thought I knew how to forgive, but I had to learn to forgive a doctor who made my life much more difficult than it should have. I had to learn how to forgive him when he admitted no wrong.
  
• The surgeon who botched up my first surgery said a few words I will never forget; "In my arrogance, I made a mistake." These words were powerful. How could I be angry at a doctor who was completely honest and accepted blame. How powerful is it when I do the same?
• I have a bunch of people who care for me. Eight months in and out of the hospital, I never went a day without a visitor. I didn't have much to talk about most the time. ("You should try these ice chips!?) The company meant the world to me though. It was all I had. I realize it's one of the most important things to me now.
• There were many who told me if I had faith, I'd be healed. It was hard for me to not be angry with these people. There was another group who put their own faith into action, and prayed for me every day. Remember the paralytic being lowered through the roof by his friends? These are the folks who helped get me through the eight months.
• I learned I'm not guaranteed another day. Just because I want to do something now, doesn't mean I'll have the chance to do it tomorrow. It took me a while to get the ball rolling, but these past couple years, I've been moving toward the mantra of "No Opportunity Wasted" (Thank you, Phil Keoghan!) People think I have a lot of adventures, but I'm nowhere where I want to be.
• I have a medical condition which gives me reason to NOT eat greens.