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I was 12 years old, on the operating table to straighten my spine that had a 115 degree curve. During the first operation I apparently had "breathing problems". But my parents said the doctor was white as a sheet when he came out. I'm guessing I did stop breathing entirely. The second operation that was scheduled for later on that week was delayed another week as they were worried I would not survive the second one. But I was healing very quickly from the first one and ended up doing a lot better than they thought.
Almost drowned a couple of times. At least once from my brother, who dragged me into the deep end and let me go when I was 8. To this day (i'm 44) I still cannot get water in my face. I cannot face the water in a shower. A facecloth over my face. Even my wife's hair brushing over my face when she is on top of me. All has my body immediately in panic mode and since I shower every day, I have to fight back the panic every fucking day. Which really sucks. Thanks brother. Asshole.
The real trauma of these events is the panic/anxiety you talk about. After I almost drowned in the ocean, I barely swam in it again for years. I was fine with pools etc. (controlled bodies of water; it didn't matter how deep), but couldn't stand oceans/rivers/lakes where I couldn't see the bottom. In the end I beat it by taking up scuba diving - once I was comfortable having explored the area underwater, the fear went away. Obviously not the same fear in your case, but there may be ways to take back control.
I have always wanted to try scuba diving, specially now they have full face masks (so my nose isn't covered). I used to love swimming, even though I stayed in the shallow end as I could not swim well, currently I have to nerve myself to get into a pool, or the ocean. Thank you for your response!
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[–] Qikdraw 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
I was 12 years old, on the operating table to straighten my spine that had a 115 degree curve. During the first operation I apparently had "breathing problems". But my parents said the doctor was white as a sheet when he came out. I'm guessing I did stop breathing entirely. The second operation that was scheduled for later on that week was delayed another week as they were worried I would not survive the second one. But I was healing very quickly from the first one and ended up doing a lot better than they thought.
Almost drowned a couple of times. At least once from my brother, who dragged me into the deep end and let me go when I was 8. To this day (i'm 44) I still cannot get water in my face. I cannot face the water in a shower. A facecloth over my face. Even my wife's hair brushing over my face when she is on top of me. All has my body immediately in panic mode and since I shower every day, I have to fight back the panic every fucking day. Which really sucks. Thanks brother. Asshole.
[–] Reow [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
The real trauma of these events is the panic/anxiety you talk about. After I almost drowned in the ocean, I barely swam in it again for years. I was fine with pools etc. (controlled bodies of water; it didn't matter how deep), but couldn't stand oceans/rivers/lakes where I couldn't see the bottom. In the end I beat it by taking up scuba diving - once I was comfortable having explored the area underwater, the fear went away. Obviously not the same fear in your case, but there may be ways to take back control.
[–] Qikdraw 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I have always wanted to try scuba diving, specially now they have full face masks (so my nose isn't covered). I used to love swimming, even though I stayed in the shallow end as I could not swim well, currently I have to nerve myself to get into a pool, or the ocean. Thank you for your response!