“I’ll see you on the other side…”
Those were the final words that I said to my dad when I was put to sleep on the morning of the 16th October 2014. With the 10th anniversary of my life-saving operation and following diagnosis of Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome coming this Wednesday, I thought it would be good to revisit my “Dance with Death” in today’s blog.
Hello and Welcome to Sweeney’s Blogs!
10 years have gone by already, how crazy is that?!
On the 15th October 2014, I was rushed into hospital following immense stomach pain. Being taken into surgery on the morning of the 16th, I came only three hours from death, having three foot of my small intestine removed in what was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.
When I was put to sleep for the procedure, I had no idea what was going to happen, all that I knew was that this pain needed to stop. Thankfully, due to the miracle that is the NHS, I pulled through and, after being diagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, made it to where I am today. I always like to take a trip around memory lane at this time of year, reflecting on a journey, an experience and a time that really brought everything into questions for me.
If you aren’t familiar with my PJS story, or would like a reminder about it, please do feel free to see an updated version here:
Living with PJS for the last 10 years has been a journey and a half. When I was first diagnosed, I thought my life as I knew it was over. Oh, how wrong I turned out tobe – while my PJS has slightly altered how I do certain things, on the whole I can live a happy and healthy life. I am beyond grateful to be alive and with you all today, words will never do justice to how much an experience like this changes you.
Due to the nature of my condition, I have annual/biannual procedures to help monitor and remove polyps, annual MRI scans and the occassional cancer screening scans. While that may sound like a lot, as long as it keeps me where I am, I am perfecly peace with it. At one stage in my life, I was ashmed to gave my condition, however, not anymore. My PJS is a part of who I am, and I wouldn’t change that for anything ❤
I know I haven’t really spoken much about my PJS here on the page, apart from the occasional blog here and there. I might change this moving forward, although I’m not 100% sure how at this point. If there is anything you would like to know or hear about my lifew with the condition or about that day back in 2014, please do feel free to reach out.
I always try to be as open a book as possible. If there is something you would like to know, I’d be more than happy to share it with you, that’s the least I can do. As always, thanks for all of the support and for following with my journey as you do, it never goes unnoticed 🙂
Until the next one,
James ❤
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