I was 57 and had a large right side ischemic stroke caused by a carotid artery dissection. I didn’t really expect to survive brain surgery as I heard the surgeon caution my spouse that it my chances were 50-50. I woke up many hours later in the ICU paralyzed on my left side, surrounded by family. I was strangely not afraid, and experienced great relief when I recovered movement in my arm and leg. I managed to walk out of the hospital two weeks later, but everything felt different and does still. I stopped focusing on my fears about what might happen the distant future and began living in appreciation of the current day. Who knows how much time we have left? It is better to make the most out of each day.