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My Story

The last twenty years of my life compelled me to overcome many obstacles and challenges. I am lucky to be alive. Early in the spring of 2003 I fell ill with an abdominal infection that proved complicated for doctors to treat. The same infection attacked my gallbladder, which caused it to get inflamed. As a result the doctors had to remove it. That was when my nightmare began. What was supposed to be a routine gallbladder surgery, turned out to be a life and death situation for me. I suffered serious complications after the surgery, so I faced multi-organ failure and two strokes and I began slipping away. I was transferred to a much larger hospital, where I found myself fighting for my life. My doctors at once placed me on the heart transplant list, and as I lay there in the Cardiac ICU, I began to wonder, "Is this the end for me?” It seemed like all my wishes and dreams would never materialize, and the only hope I had, if any, was to try my best and fight to live. I spent three long months not knowing whether I was going to live or die. 

I am not sure whether it was modern medicine, or mere divine intervention that my organs began to bounce back except for my heart. Even though I was still on the heart transplant list, my doctors were optimistic that in time my heart would also get stronger. This great news bestowed upon me a new lease on life, and I now found myself with a second chance at life, and with a greater appreciation for life itself. My experiences with facing death, and living to talk about it, had definitely made me a much more empathetic and understanding person. I realized that my entire perspective of life had now changed, and after I spent a couple of years getting much stronger and had enough time to reflect on what had happened to me, I decided to go back to college and continue with my education. Despite facing many setbacks along the way, it did not deter me from achieving my goals. My number one goal was to beat the odds against me. I was focused on setting realistic, attainable goals. I also kept in mind the limitations my health placed upon me. 

Over the years I have shared my story with other students, to help inspire them. My love for helping other students was due to so many faculty and staff who helped me over the years. They saw something in me, which at the time I didn't even notice. They have continued to encourage me to further my education, to be honest I must admit, I found studying very therapeutic. If it were not for a few people, I would not have taken this educational journey, this was my way of paying it forward to those who have supported me over the years. My goal was to help inspire and bring about positive change in people’s lives for the better, by sharing my thoughts and experiences. I had an internal strength to face my adversities and the will to persevere. I believe one of my greatest assets that enabled me to achieve my goals, was my natural ability to inspire and motivate others to overcome the obstacles and challenges that they may face. My strength comes from my determination, while my weakness was in letting my health dictate my future. I chose not to give up on my life. The person I am today is the result of what I have learned in life and all aspects of my life. I have crossed paths with many people over the years, with each bestowing me the guidance and knowledge I gained. My growth and progress are a testament to my dedication and determination to overcome the obstacles with which I am faced. My dreams give me hope, while my courage gives me strength and together with dedication I will succeed. So, I am awaiting my future and whatever success it brings.

PLEASE NOTE:

I also have a YouTube channel, where you can find videos related to my blog and much more. Please use the icon link below to visit my channel. If you are viewing my blog via a mobile device, you can access my THOUGHTS AND INSPIRATIONS by clicking on the menu icon on the top  right. If you find that my blog is interesting and inspiring, please share with family and friends.

Much appreciated

Regards

Vish