issue 6// vol 47 life & style // no. 17 My experience being in a two-day coma » An unexpected week after being exhausted 7 ‘omy. | Jerrison Oracion A reason why I might’ve ; a4 ; Senior Columnist been in the hospital I learned aa ms @ } after going through a study on me fter writing a lot of stories for Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB) which 4 a the Other Press, working at are irregular heartbeats. They also E a the supermarket more frequently, did a few blood pressure tests, ; and catching up on a lot of other which were stable despite the things, I surprisingly fell off my stickers I was wearing having been bed on September 25, clutching accidentally removed at times. a pillow. I was exhausted the Throughout the week, I day prior and found out later I ate various hospital food dishes was unconscious for two days including meatloaf, egg salad, and before waking up in the Royal Caesar salad. As the week went Columbian Hospital. No one by, I started to get less exhausted expects to wake up ina hospital. and still did my online class in the The first few days were fun; hospital bed as well as worked on I was resting and watching a a few articles, including the story few films in the lounge near my you are reading right now, and a bed. Soon after, I was transferred review of a film that is shown in to another area in the hospital the Vancouver International Film where I was to do a few tests to Festival this year—which you can find out why I was unconscious read in the Arts section. By the - fortwo days. In the first test, I time that you read this story, I will participated in a MRI scan to be fully be recovered and back to 5 find out what happened with my my normal routines. § brain, which was interesting and To everyone in the hospitals high-tech. After that, |! underwent __ that helped me during this < atest where the doctors checked unprecedented time, thank you = waves in my heart. for taking care of me. Also, thank q g you to the staff of the Other Press hoa for all the good wishes of health. The meaning of existence discussed at midnight » Bioluminescence kayaking tour and the importance of doing something that scares you Morgan Hannah dropping like crystals into the ocean from The experience was made all the more _ believes in the law being the highest power. Life & Style Editor my paddle. I have never seen anything surreal by our tour guide, Ron. Ron is an Being a creationist myself, we had a lively like bioluminescence before, and so I was odd fellow, he lives on Galiano Island semi- debate about the cosmic meaning of life xistence hasn't always been effortless, completely taken by this otherworldly light __ off the grid with an easy, and “lazy” lifestyle © and who did what in terms of creating the but it has always been worth it. I wake made up of living (his words, not mine). He’sa world and all the “rules” of life. Bouncing up in the mornings to breakfast and fresh strongly opinionated rebuttals across the calm waters kept my coffee, I go to work, and I come home to atheist who focus off of my fears of deep water and sharks and was excellent for helping me to still have a good time despite these fears. Maybe my quaking in my flip flops on the dock earlier was warranted as Ron had cracked a couple of vodka coolers before our tour—as a newbie to kayaking and the ocean, this clean and cook. But I also break apart each day by surmounting my fears and taking risks. Just the other day, I leaped into a kayak for the first time. With a dread of what could be below me in the ocean, and an almost full moon lighting the night sky a granite made me a touch uneasy. grey overhead, I sought But after having hada discomfort. drink of my own to My theory is the sooth the nerves and witnessing Ron’s complete focus on exactly what would happen if we were to fall more times I do this, the more | will grow and the more I will earn from my life. As lam sure someone somewhere once said, there is frequently = into the water, fun on the other side of a I felt a touch fear. And frankly it was an g better. I gritted adventure, too. The ocean was # my teeth, got as smooth and transparent as 2 into the kayak, glass. I could see way down to the 6 and figured it spotted solid bottom, and kayaking 5 would all be worth 5 it later, and I was right! If you ever have a chance to kayak in the dark of night to see a wonder like bioluminescence, or any was far more relaxing and effortless than I had first anticipated. Iam glad I pushed myself to slide my legs into the foreign vessel and take off from the dock. I am pleased I paddled to the centre of the harbour where placid, open water surrounded me. organisms that other experience that might Bioluminescence rewarded me, flowing produce a chemical reaction make you anxious, try it, and you like ribbons from the bow of my kayak and when disturbed. may not regret it.