The Ailment That Nearly Killed Me

The funny thing about the life we live is that we only have the moment we are in. No one is sure of what will happen in the next moment. As good as life can be or as punishing it may be, there are no guarantees anywhere. That's what makes everything all the more risky.

Though I've had a lot of hair-raising moments as I grow up, like the several moments I was nearly knocked down by a speeding vehicle as I crossed the road carelessly, the first occurence that really got me worried was when I was eventually involved in a road accident. It was in my third year in the university when I decided to go flexing with a friend of mine.

The motorcycle we boarded got caught in a traffic gridlock, thus, slowing us down. As drivers and riders jostled for space, a blue Sedan came out of nowhere and ran into us. Luckily for us, the car wasn't at full speed. Despite that, my jean trouser was torn to shred from the impact. And till this day, my right knee suffers the effect.

The second time I was involved in a road accident, it was less worrying. The bus I was in rammed into the back of a Toyota Hilux. Though I sat in the front seat, the impact was less severe and I scaled through without much drama. Even though I wasn't physically injured, I nearly developed PTSD because of the incident.

Of all the risky ventures I've been involved in, the one that nearly claimed my life was the one I underrated the most. I don't know if this is a thing but I am somehow prone to catarrh. Due to this, I avoid dusty and cold environments. I survived that way and never had any issues until one dreadful afternoon.

When this crisis happened, I was observing the mandatory one year service. The village I lived in was about 15 minutes from my workplace. Unfortunately, the villagers barely had taxis and buses that commute the road. So we depended on bikes for easy transportation.

When the commuting to and from work started affecting me, I didn't take it seriously. One afternoon at work, I wasn't feeling too well so I slept. I didn't realize that the AC was on and that took its toll on my body. By the time I woke up, I was feeling drowsy and groggy. I left for home once again on a bike.

Immediately I got home, I lost control of my body. It felt like energy was drained out of my body; I was struggling for breath. That was the first time the thought of death actually crossed my mind. I was in so much pain that I took my phone, sent a farewell message to my then gf, and laid down on the bed expecting death.

Well, after waiting for about an hour for the ole bastard to take me away without any success, I mustered whatever strength I had in me to get up. It took me about thirty minutes to finally find my way to the nearest clinic. I was checked and told the only ailment I have was catarrh. I was treated. About three hours later, I had recovered and was out playing again.

Each time I remember the occurrence, I just couldn't help but laugh. Who would've thought an ailment as common as catarrh would have me knocking on heaven's door. Since then, I stopped taking my health for granted.

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