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Post by kenpossum on Jul 23, 2011 13:20:42 GMT -8
Fellow Birders. This post may have to be done in segments, as I lack the physical strength right now to type for long. Please pardon the many typos. A quick topic would be the remarkable positive effect so many of you have had on my life. That became very apparent to me this last month.
A few of you knew I was scheduled for open heart surgery (5 bipasses) at the Royal Columbian Hospital July 6th I thought this surgery would be a routine 5-6 hr operation, 8 hrs of coma followed by a 5-6 day recovery in hospital. I even made light of the situation to Gord and others stating that when I recovered, I would have two birthdays (since my heart would be stopped for awhile).
I was sooooo wrong! During the first 9 hr operation problems arose. It took 133 minutes to get my heart started up again, and some of the bipasses did't work. New ones had to be made, and an extra heart pump got my heart going again.
At the end of the 4th day, I was still in a coma, and they tried various things to wake me up. My wife Liliane began whispering my birding friends softly into my ear. Gord, Joanne and Bruce, Len, David and Dots, Janne to name a few. She told me I would soon be joining them at Blue Heron, Cheam, Harrison, Reifel and Sardis Park. I only had to wake up. It worked!
My eyes opened, and I saw the most beautiful image I have ever seen - Liliane, Margo (my daughter), and two cardiologists looking down on me, backlit by the ICU lighting. I knew I was alive, (but oblivious to just how close to not making it I came). I am sooooo fortunate!
(to be continued)
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Post by butterfly on Jul 23, 2011 14:08:39 GMT -8
Welcome back Ken. Cheers Joanne and Bruce
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Post by kestrel on Jul 23, 2011 16:06:54 GMT -8
Glad to hear the surgery went well!
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Post by davidandkaren on Jul 23, 2011 17:17:58 GMT -8
Quite a moving story - a modern day Phoenix.
Thanks for sharing.
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Post by kenpossum on Jul 23, 2011 19:39:25 GMT -8
One of the facts that I thought about as I recovered, was just how special this group of birders was to me. Back in Sept, I took my first bird photography outing, and found I knew so little about the skills needed to start my new project. How encouraging were all of the members on here. Every step of my journey I was encouraged, supported, and just made to feel so welcome by everyone! Comments made on my attempts spurred me to continue and improve. I had such great role models to emulate, and before long, I knew I was hooked! I can see why Liliane only had to mention your names or my favourite birding locations for me to snap out of my coma.
For such a group of people to have that powerful effect on me says a lot about this group. Gord and the full moderator crew have done an exceptional job of creating the tone of FraserValley Birding to the point that it must be the best birding group anywhere. I am so fortunate to have found you!
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Post by kenpossum on Jul 23, 2011 19:47:50 GMT -8
Thanks David, Karen, Kestral, Bruce and Joanne for helping with my recovery, and for keeping the spark alive. I have not met you all, but would be honoured some day to have the opportunity. Ken
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Post by kenpossum on Jul 24, 2011 8:53:12 GMT -8
I have not been very good at explaining myself just yet, but will try again. When learning the basics of my new passion - bird photography, I was quickly able to put the main components together - camera skills, specialized equipment, location info etc, but I quickly learned there was another element not so easily identifiable that was missing. The total did not equal the sum of all the parts, so it seemed. This element for me, turned out to be the most important - human interaction. Through the personal qualities of members of this Internet site, I received encouragement, motivation and inspiration, and support in every possible way. These factors helped to create and fuel the passion. Liliane knew of this, and that was why she chose to 'speak' to me during my 4 day coma of my friends on this site, their positive messages of good will and prayer, my favourite bird locations, and my desire to continue joining you in the future on bird photography outings. There is something to be said of the power of subliminal messages, and in my case it worked.
Len asked me if I "saw the light at the end of the tunnel'? No tunnel Len, but lights from above - yes! The moment I came to, there was a light behind the beautiful faces of my wife, daughter and the coronary doctors - all looking down on me as I emerged into the world of the living. It is an image I will never forget. It was also the first time I realized, I was alive. I had come so close to not making it, and although I did not realize it at the time, that moment was a defining moment in my life.
I have given much thought as to why 'it was not my time' just then, and the best explanation I have goes back to all the powerful thoughts sent my way from all my family and friends. The extraordinary skills and determination of my surgical team were also a factor. That they did not give up on me after 133 minutes trying to get my heart going. I am so fortunate, and again to all of you, Thank you, thank you!
Karen, I had to have the Phoenix analogy explained to me but I can't think of a better way to describe what happened to me. You always have a knack for words, and that is yet another reason I enjoy reading your posts.
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Post by dpeppar on Jul 24, 2011 18:40:33 GMT -8
Ken, it was nice to see you today. You looked great! Will see you again soon.
DaveP and Dots
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Post by Dave on Jul 24, 2011 19:43:07 GMT -8
Hi Ken.
Thanks for sharing your story with both the trials and the blessings you have experienced. So much of life is not in our hands.
Best wishes for continued strength and healing.
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Post by Gord on Jul 24, 2011 22:55:38 GMT -8
Ken, continue to heal up! I had complete faith that Id be hearing you on the phone again too.
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Post by kenpossum on Jul 25, 2011 4:09:02 GMT -8
Thank your for those blessings. They worked! Ken
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Post by ian on Jul 25, 2011 7:19:17 GMT -8
Ken, we haven't met (yet) but I have dearly enjoyed your comments, encouragements and insights on this forum! I wish you a continued swift recovery and hope to meet in the field in the near future.
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Post by kenpossum on Jul 25, 2011 12:11:01 GMT -8
Ian Nothing would please me more! I am a great admirer of your photography as your images are amazing. I have always appreciated your comments as well. All the best.
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Post by Janne on Jul 25, 2011 13:06:40 GMT -8
Welcome back Ken! Fall migration is starting and Harrison boasts a Greater Yellowlegs and Western Sandpipers already. Keep on recovering. And thanks for sharing all your photographic skill. My photos have improved greatly under your guidance. Too bad my Lumix Panasonic FZ28 decided to zoom out and stick. London Drugs say too bad the warranty is up. I am saving my shekels for a Nikon SLR. Janne Perrin
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Post by kenpossum on Jul 25, 2011 17:57:18 GMT -8
Janne Thanks for the kind words. There are excellent Nikon bargains out there so give me a call when you are looking. Unfortunately, it will be 6-8 weeks until I can think of getting out in the field again, but Harrison is on my bucket list.
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