I've diced with death a several times; I didn't grow up safe, TBH.

I even had an NDE in 2008.

In 2018, I survived yet another bout of pneumonia . I've had a couple dozen bouts. With that came a PE — yes, I survived a pulmonary embolism. At the same time, they found I was missing substantial blood volume. I've wondered if that had something to do with surviving the PE. That missing blood volume required a roughly 1.5 liter transfusion. They never did figure out what happened to that blood volume. In addition, my ferritin level was 4.75 — expected mean is around 49 (20 is low). That required FOUR iron infusions to get it back into normal range. I have high blood pressure (I'm on meds for it); but my blood pressure was scary low. And, my arrhythmia went completely terrifying. It presents as a pause in my heart rate. Gray called them "stops" on that first day in the hospital because the pauses were so long. He sat by my bedside that night watching the EKG and holding his breath for each of pause.

I still have to get regular infusions. Apparently, I don't store iron like it's supposed to. Curse of the redheads!