[Ed. Note:  The opinions expressed below are solely those of the author.  They do not represent the opinions of the editor, publisher, or this publication.  Anyone with a medical problem is strongly encouraged to seek professional medical care.]    

After my Chiari surgery I was in the ICU for a couple days and then entered regular recovery. (My recovery was very difficult, but not impossible.)

As I was laying in my bed in the regular recovery area of the hospital, I was telling myself, "This is as bad as it's going to get, from here on out life is gonna get better and I can start living again."  It's always a good idea to give yourself a pep talk when your down, helps lots. However, while I was in the middle of my pre-game speech to myself the nurse came in to change the oxygen tank on the wall next to my bed.  I had had a lot of breathing problems post surgery, and the oxygen was helping a little bit.

The nurse unhooked the old tank and placed a new one up on the wall.  Maybe she had just washed her hands, or maybe I'm just giving her the benefit of the doubt, but whatever the reason, she dropped the oxygen tank from the wall only to have it tumble down and clock my on the head!!

So my pep talk went from "Ra Ra Ra" to "That did not just happen."

Luckily, since my neck was fused I was not able to look up or it probably would've broken my nose.

Of course, the ultimate irony is that I was in the Brain Rescue Unit of the hospital!

-- David D.

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