Glad it’s over and you’re well on your way to a full recovery, Nathan. Life is a maze with infinite turning points, each requiring a decision by you and by others around you. And things can really change in a heartbeat. Take it easy and slow, for a while — this may be a writer’s paradise, albeit in the midst of a certainly suboptimal situation under pretty much any other respect. But hey, you’re here and well and grateful and generous as always to share. Having said all this, I’m humbled by your mention of my work as inspiration, and I think you might have a super story right there, while you were absent and they were operating on you. Where did you go? Who did you meet? How did you get called back to consciousness? So good to hear you’re well, my friend.
Thank you, Silvio. I appreciate your words and thoughts as always.
Oh man, you just gave me an idea that felt like a lightning rod when I alighted on your words. I wonder if I can make it work. I wonder how subtle I can make it. Let's see. But as you say, the writer's paradise... time to bathe in the rays of inspiration!
Damn Nathan! Nothing worse than having an emergency,except having one away from home . And morphine to go? WTF. Major side effect of morphine, constipation due to reduced peristalsis . Sounds like a recipe for, ‘we’ll be seeing you later if things get worse’. I should have started at the end of the story and worked my way up. I had a bad feeling. Ooh , I could feel the terrors of heading into an unknown surgery.The fright of a horror movie, and your the star.
Being a pro of abdominal surgeries (3), I can relate. Though it has been many years distance ,now I can find some amusement in the experience . Six feet , my entire large intestines removed.But unlike you, I knew what I was in for at the get go. And I had an incredible surgeon. Oh, and when you’re already in a hospital bed pre-surgery, you have the pleasure of being sedated before your wheeled in. Avoiding the nightmare. Wishing you good healing. And remember to be a patient patient.
( Might be a good time to try out some Twilight Zone episodes.).
And Silvio C’s idea, yes! more of the story. As for the ‘like’ emoji , I don’t like it at all. But I will send a heart, for wishing you the best.
Aww, thanks . Mine were so long ago, just wanted to give you a little comic relief. Not about me anymore. But in case you need an expert on surgical in and out of body experiences, for your next fiction story, I’m here. Though I am sure you have a really good one just waiting , ‘under lock and key’.
So glad you’re all right. And also very glad you chose to share. What an experience.
I, too, have been thinking about healthcare, about the privilege I have in the access I currently enjoy that far too many people simply don’t and what suffering must result from that.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your rerailment! May you continue to recover swimmingly!!
What a wild ride. Really glad you’re doing better now. And absolutely this is the sort of thing that should be written about and captured into your life’s narrative. Here’s to plenty of laps around the sub yet in your future.
Glad to hear you’re on the mend, Nathan, but that all sounds a horrible thing to go through. A sudden illness always reminds us of our vulnerability and how tenuous our grasp on this earthly realm actually is. And, absolutely seize every day, but sometimes the simple things remind us of who we are. Hopefully the outpouring of support and concern on here shows how much you are cared for in this community
Be strong and healthy my friend, and get back to writing when you can 👍🏼
By the way, like Kathleen, I can also relate to those very fetching tights that you’re sporting in the photo. They made me wear them after my car crash. I thought it was just as a laugh but maybe they do actually do some good 😆
Thanks so much, Dan. Yeah, it’s really something, a community I didn’t even know a year and a half ago. Kinda blows me away.
Oh no, car crash?? Hope you made a good recovery. Apparently the stockings are very effective! I kept them on for the flight home and a few days after.
Yeah, had a car crash 20 years ago. 80mph in the pouring rain. Broke both my legs. Shouldn’t have survived. But, when I did, the docs put two bright pink plasters on my legs and, when I finally got rid of them, it was time for those very fetching tights! Swings and roundabouts I suppose 😆
Hope you’re keeping better. I know most folks think going from illness to recovery is like turning a page, but it’s never that simple. Take things at your own pace and you’ll get there 👍🏼
PS forgot to thank a big thanks for those words on recovery. I really appreciate it. I've already started to feel a few pangs of frustration of "oh but surely I'm recovered now!" despite enjoying the knowledge I am not going into work all week. I think there's a decent bit of mental recovery necessary, too.
Oh Nathan! What an ordeal you've been through. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are enormous--I'm so glad they finally figured out the right solution for you. A body emergency like this can be such a surreal through-the-looking-glass experience! A total re-set on one's life. I guess it's a rare chance to come to terms with what we all know: we ALL have 100% chance of dying. Eventually. BUT NOT TODAY!!!!! WOOO!!!! Suddenly, every ordinary Monday has become a huge bonus--because it IS. And it always was. I love that you have taken the time to document the experience with your usual honesty and gratitude. Right down to your fetching stockings--Malvolio!!! 😂 I know this episode will be rocket fuel for your creative spirit. Rest well, Nathan, and enjoy this sweet slowness with your dear ones.
Two things briefly: this was so well put together that when I got to the point of the third visit and the diagnosis, my stomach gripped. I mean, I knew you were ok because you’d written the piece, but it came as a shock because of the skill with which you’d brought me to that point.
And, you get to wear those hideous embolism socks. So not cool.
I’m with L.J. on the “like” part, such a horrible thing to go through. I was scared there for a moment, too, and I’m just glad that everything went fine, all considering. Speedy recovery, my friend, and looking forward to reading your next fiction.
Beautifully written, Nathan. So sorry you have been through that. But your attitude of gratitude is definitely the right one. Things like this remind us, I think, of how things can change in an instant. Seize the day, my friend. Giving a talk to world experts sounds very interesting. Presumably you can't say what it was about? Anyway, take it easy until your recovery is complete.
Thanks, Terry. Appreciate your kind words. The diem will be carpe'd!
Ah, I can say, it's nothing secretive, it just give something extra away that would likely enable Googling of who I am (not that I overly care these days. My face is right there to the left, anyway, but I guess I was just trying to blur the specifics a bit.)
This is, quite genuinely, a most amazing idea. I am going to strongly consider it. Perhaps one is a keyhole placed over a book, or the side of a coffee cup, or something to imply creativity.
What a story! So glad you got the care you needed and are in the mend. It is helpful to reflect on these events, to appreciate all that aligned for a good outcome. 💚
So glad that you came through that okay. It’s incredible how a close call, intense pain, the uncertainty of surgery can be so surreal, and also bring what really matters into stark relief. Looking forward to reading the story you pulled from the experience.
Holy Toledo! That's what you were going through! Oh my, I'm so relieved you're alright - and you do look fetching in those stockings. I will confess that my father had the same thing when he was a very young man, this was in the 50s of course, and he was left with lifelong consequences which I'm so glad to know you escaped. Blessings, blessings, brother Nathan!!!
Get well soon, 🙏🏼 to nod to your analogy, something tapped the little lever next to the train track junction. Glad it was taken care of and you’re still on the rails (even if it’s an unexpected direction). It’s quite something to transmute this already with writing and share it with us. Your description of the edge of time travel with anesthesia felt magically familiar. Just glad you’re ok and sending healthy wishes for you.
Glad it’s over and you’re well on your way to a full recovery, Nathan. Life is a maze with infinite turning points, each requiring a decision by you and by others around you. And things can really change in a heartbeat. Take it easy and slow, for a while — this may be a writer’s paradise, albeit in the midst of a certainly suboptimal situation under pretty much any other respect. But hey, you’re here and well and grateful and generous as always to share. Having said all this, I’m humbled by your mention of my work as inspiration, and I think you might have a super story right there, while you were absent and they were operating on you. Where did you go? Who did you meet? How did you get called back to consciousness? So good to hear you’re well, my friend.
Thank you, Silvio. I appreciate your words and thoughts as always.
Oh man, you just gave me an idea that felt like a lightning rod when I alighted on your words. I wonder if I can make it work. I wonder how subtle I can make it. Let's see. But as you say, the writer's paradise... time to bathe in the rays of inspiration!
Something like that, developed in your beautiful style, would be a dream to read! :)
Dude, glad you’re alright. I had a similar experience once and it got me thinking along the same lines as you in terms of gratitude.
Like, if it had happened to me 100 years ago, I probably would have just died.
Medical technology is amazing.
Thanks Clancy. Heh, yeah, sure is. And ditto, although for me I would have already died at age 11 with appendicitis :-|
Damn Nathan! Nothing worse than having an emergency,except having one away from home . And morphine to go? WTF. Major side effect of morphine, constipation due to reduced peristalsis . Sounds like a recipe for, ‘we’ll be seeing you later if things get worse’. I should have started at the end of the story and worked my way up. I had a bad feeling. Ooh , I could feel the terrors of heading into an unknown surgery.The fright of a horror movie, and your the star.
Being a pro of abdominal surgeries (3), I can relate. Though it has been many years distance ,now I can find some amusement in the experience . Six feet , my entire large intestines removed.But unlike you, I knew what I was in for at the get go. And I had an incredible surgeon. Oh, and when you’re already in a hospital bed pre-surgery, you have the pleasure of being sedated before your wheeled in. Avoiding the nightmare. Wishing you good healing. And remember to be a patient patient.
( Might be a good time to try out some Twilight Zone episodes.).
And Silvio C’s idea, yes! more of the story. As for the ‘like’ emoji , I don’t like it at all. But I will send a heart, for wishing you the best.
Gosh, Lor, I’m so sorry! That’s a lot of operations. I hope you’re doing OK now and there are no more in sight!
Appreciate your kind thoughts and the heart! 🤗
Aww, thanks . Mine were so long ago, just wanted to give you a little comic relief. Not about me anymore. But in case you need an expert on surgical in and out of body experiences, for your next fiction story, I’m here. Though I am sure you have a really good one just waiting , ‘under lock and key’.
Hope your keyholes are healing well 🗝️🗝️🗝️
Teehee, appreciate it ;)
Keyholes are a’ healing well, thank you. Just manages a good hour of writing, too, which feels good and calming.
So glad you are on the mend, that all your important bits are still on the inside, and oooof what a story! Thank you for telling it. 💖
Thanks for reading it and for your thoughts, Elnora 🤗
So glad you’re all right. And also very glad you chose to share. What an experience.
I, too, have been thinking about healthcare, about the privilege I have in the access I currently enjoy that far too many people simply don’t and what suffering must result from that.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your rerailment! May you continue to recover swimmingly!!
Thanks Holly, that’s very kind. 🙏
What a wild ride. Really glad you’re doing better now. And absolutely this is the sort of thing that should be written about and captured into your life’s narrative. Here’s to plenty of laps around the sub yet in your future.
So true. Thanks Taegan, great that you’re here!
Glad to hear you’re on the mend, Nathan, but that all sounds a horrible thing to go through. A sudden illness always reminds us of our vulnerability and how tenuous our grasp on this earthly realm actually is. And, absolutely seize every day, but sometimes the simple things remind us of who we are. Hopefully the outpouring of support and concern on here shows how much you are cared for in this community
Be strong and healthy my friend, and get back to writing when you can 👍🏼
By the way, like Kathleen, I can also relate to those very fetching tights that you’re sporting in the photo. They made me wear them after my car crash. I thought it was just as a laugh but maybe they do actually do some good 😆
Thanks so much, Dan. Yeah, it’s really something, a community I didn’t even know a year and a half ago. Kinda blows me away.
Oh no, car crash?? Hope you made a good recovery. Apparently the stockings are very effective! I kept them on for the flight home and a few days after.
Admit it! You’re still wearing them! 😁
Yeah, had a car crash 20 years ago. 80mph in the pouring rain. Broke both my legs. Shouldn’t have survived. But, when I did, the docs put two bright pink plasters on my legs and, when I finally got rid of them, it was time for those very fetching tights! Swings and roundabouts I suppose 😆
Jeez, Dan! Fuuuu. Wow. Well, I am obviously deeply relieved that you survived!
Didn’t know the tights went back 20 years, hehe.
Yeah, I think they were made of chain mail back in the day! 😁
I actually wrote a story about the crash :-
https://open.substack.com/pub/danielodonnell/p/aquaplaning?r=2bfxud&utm_medium=ios
See, I’ll tap into anything to keep writing!
Hope you’re keeping better. I know most folks think going from illness to recovery is like turning a page, but it’s never that simple. Take things at your own pace and you’ll get there 👍🏼
PS forgot to thank a big thanks for those words on recovery. I really appreciate it. I've already started to feel a few pangs of frustration of "oh but surely I'm recovered now!" despite enjoying the knowledge I am not going into work all week. I think there's a decent bit of mental recovery necessary, too.
Thanks for sharing that! I either missed it or it was just before we connected on here. Great piece, despite the source material!!
Oh Nathan! What an ordeal you've been through. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are enormous--I'm so glad they finally figured out the right solution for you. A body emergency like this can be such a surreal through-the-looking-glass experience! A total re-set on one's life. I guess it's a rare chance to come to terms with what we all know: we ALL have 100% chance of dying. Eventually. BUT NOT TODAY!!!!! WOOO!!!! Suddenly, every ordinary Monday has become a huge bonus--because it IS. And it always was. I love that you have taken the time to document the experience with your usual honesty and gratitude. Right down to your fetching stockings--Malvolio!!! 😂 I know this episode will be rocket fuel for your creative spirit. Rest well, Nathan, and enjoy this sweet slowness with your dear ones.
Aw, thanks so much Ann, that’s so low.
NOT TODAY indeed! 😄 I’ll drink to that. Well, when I actually feel like drinking some alcohol, hehe.
I have every hope the rocket fuel has been ignited!
Get Well Soon (think card with flowers or trees).
Two things briefly: this was so well put together that when I got to the point of the third visit and the diagnosis, my stomach gripped. I mean, I knew you were ok because you’d written the piece, but it came as a shock because of the skill with which you’d brought me to that point.
And, you get to wear those hideous embolism socks. So not cool.
Thanks Nicolas. That's very kind of you. I was hesitant to write any of this, but this is really nice to hear.
Hehe, yeah, those socks. I'd not encountered them before. I have two pairs at home now. Hopefully they won't ever be worn again ;)
I’m with L.J. on the “like” part, such a horrible thing to go through. I was scared there for a moment, too, and I’m just glad that everything went fine, all considering. Speedy recovery, my friend, and looking forward to reading your next fiction.
Thanks my friend, appreciate all your support. The recovery has begun and I'm aiming to maximise reading and writing during the process :)
Max reading and writing. That sounds delicious.
Beautifully written, Nathan. So sorry you have been through that. But your attitude of gratitude is definitely the right one. Things like this remind us, I think, of how things can change in an instant. Seize the day, my friend. Giving a talk to world experts sounds very interesting. Presumably you can't say what it was about? Anyway, take it easy until your recovery is complete.
Thanks, Terry. Appreciate your kind words. The diem will be carpe'd!
Ah, I can say, it's nothing secretive, it just give something extra away that would likely enable Googling of who I am (not that I overly care these days. My face is right there to the left, anyway, but I guess I was just trying to blur the specifics a bit.)
Have you thought about having little keyhole tattoos done around your scars?
This is, quite genuinely, a most amazing idea. I am going to strongly consider it. Perhaps one is a keyhole placed over a book, or the side of a coffee cup, or something to imply creativity.
Yes!!! Placed over a book, I LOVE THAT!! Gosh I don’t think I’ve ever felt so invested in someone else’s tattoo before…
Hehe. If/when I make it happen, there will be photo.
What a story! So glad you got the care you needed and are in the mend. It is helpful to reflect on these events, to appreciate all that aligned for a good outcome. 💚
Thanks, Julie. It's so true. I'm deeply grateful.
So glad that you came through that okay. It’s incredible how a close call, intense pain, the uncertainty of surgery can be so surreal, and also bring what really matters into stark relief. Looking forward to reading the story you pulled from the experience.
Thanks for your kind thoughts, Stephanie :)
Holy Toledo! That's what you were going through! Oh my, I'm so relieved you're alright - and you do look fetching in those stockings. I will confess that my father had the same thing when he was a very young man, this was in the 50s of course, and he was left with lifelong consequences which I'm so glad to know you escaped. Blessings, blessings, brother Nathan!!!
Thanks, Troy 🤗
I’m so sorry to hear that about your father. Modern medicine is quite the miracle and I feel lucky.
Get well soon, 🙏🏼 to nod to your analogy, something tapped the little lever next to the train track junction. Glad it was taken care of and you’re still on the rails (even if it’s an unexpected direction). It’s quite something to transmute this already with writing and share it with us. Your description of the edge of time travel with anesthesia felt magically familiar. Just glad you’re ok and sending healthy wishes for you.
Thank you, my friend. I like the analogy a lot. Switch flipped, new tracks selected! I'll ride that.
Thanks for your kind words. 🙏