Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Winning Life's Lottery...
Old 02-15-2007, 08:50 AM   #1
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 283
Winning Life's Lottery...

Back when the Lottery was introduced into our state, I and a bunch of buddies would laugh about winning the lottery and the unlikelyhood of the odds. Then one friend had a heart operation that saved his life and he began talking about "Winning Life's Lottery". Recently, it was my turn to experience this phenomenon, up close and personal.

Six weeks ago, I went to the ER of the best hospital in town with a very bad cough; the conclusion was that I had pneumonia and a heart murmer, and I was turned over to the lung crew for treatment. In two days I was unconsious and at 6 days my blood pressure was 80/80 (little or no flow!), 40% blood oxygen, and was several hours into organ shutdown; a medical review panel transferred me to a heart surgeon who estimated less than 50% odds to survive an operation. Immediatley he did a mitral valve replacement and two days later I was up and functioning. Ive been released from the hosp for a month now and am gaining functionality every day - still a little weak but now do everything in the house that I ever did before the operation.

I think I now have won the equivalent of another one of "Life's Lotteries" to be added to those for having good genes, LBYM, saving for retirement, and all the other benefits that flow from the FIRE lifestyle.

Is there anybody else with similar thoughts and feelings relative to winning a lottery or a similar windfall?

JohnP

PS - The hosp sent a preliminary bill of $150k not including drs charges. I'm very thankful for having the retired-fed BCBS health Ins, also... Another one of Life's Lotteries!
__________________
Dad's Dream; to have enough money someday to live the kind of life my wife and kids do...
Life is what happens while you are making other plans... John Lennon...
the more you look, the more you see...
JohnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Re: Winning Life's Lottery...
Old 02-15-2007, 09:22 AM   #2
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 17,194
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...

JohnP,

Sorry to hear about your problems... and glad that you are still here.. but well said on the 'lottery of life'... we forget how we 'win' a lot of times


I have a BIL who is over 70... he just had a pacemaker put in... and now it is dawning on him that he won't live to 100 plus.. we have many conversations on investing and some of his hair brained was of 'making it rich'... One time I said "You already have won"... he looked at me strange... I said it again... you have won... you are retired with enough coming in to live the rest of your life (mostly from my sisters teachers pension... great if you work 41 years!!!)... He still didn't get it then....
Texas Proud is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...
Old 02-15-2007, 09:40 AM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
Rich_by_the_Bay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 8,827
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...

Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnP
I think I now have won the equivalent of another one of "Life's Lotteries"
Wow, John. Scarey stuff, nicely weathered.

There must be no substitute for experiencing it personally, but I deal with young people dying and tragedy all the time professionally. Welled-up a bit yesterday with a 54 y.o. guy dying of colon cancer who had just adopted an 8 year old little girl 8 months before due to his brother's untimely death, etc. etc. etc.

You are lucky to have the insights you do. I know you'll make the most of whatever's ahead.
__________________
Rich
San Francisco Area
ESR'd March 2010. FIRE'd January 2011.

As if you didn't know..If the above message contains medical content, it's NOT intended as advice, and may not be accurate, applicable or sufficient. Don't rely on it for any purpose. Consult your own doctor for all medical advice.
Rich_by_the_Bay is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...
Old 02-15-2007, 01:12 PM   #4
Moderator Emeritus
Nords's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oahu
Posts: 26,855
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...

I read the other day that genetics loads the gun and our environment pulls the trigger...
__________________
*

Co-author (with my daughter) of “Raising Your Money-Savvy Family For Next Generation Financial Independence.”
Author of the book written on E-R.org: "The Military Guide to Financial Independence and Retirement."

I don't spend much time here— please send a PM.
Nords is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...
Old 02-15-2007, 02:37 PM   #5
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
bbbamI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Collin County, TX
Posts: 9,293
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...

Rich,

I am grateful for what you do.

I volunteer in an area where everyone is either angry, homeless or drug addicted. Been doing this for 6 years now. I only work a few hours a week, so it isn't too difficult on me. Most times, I keep on truckin'. But there are times when certain situations bare down on me and are hard to let go.

I guess my experiences and reading JohnP's post are just another reminder of knowing how fortunate I am.
__________________
There's no need to complicate, our time is short..
bbbamI is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...
Old 02-15-2007, 05:22 PM   #6
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
wabmester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,459
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...

Welcome back, JohnP!

I vaguely recall that you were a relatively young and healthy guy. Was this viral? Scary how those little buggers can mess you up.
wabmester is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...
Old 02-15-2007, 05:36 PM   #7
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
TromboneAl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,880
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...

Glad to hear that you came out OK.

It's a great thing that happened, but in a sense, to say that it's "Winning Life's Lottery" is like the gambler who says "I hope I break even -- I could sure use the money!"

__________________
Al
TromboneAl is offline   Reply With Quote
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...
Old 02-16-2007, 09:32 AM   #8
Recycles dryer sheets
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 283
Re: Winning Life's Lottery...

Thanks guys for the kind posts here!!!

bbbamI
Quote:
I guess my experiences and reading JohnP's post are just another reminder of knowing how fortunate I am.
I feel that just getting to FIRE is the result of being fortunate in a lot of things! Keep on trucking bbbamI!

wab
Quote:
...I vaguely recall that you were a relatively young and healthy guy. Was this viral?
I'm 63 and in general good health - had strong cough symptoms for at least the last 6 months and DW had finally had it with me coughing through the night. There was no viral involvement, though. As an interested layman, I think that pneumonia can be related to either (or both) viral causes or heart problems; I am disappointed that the 'lung crew' stood by for 6 days and redoubled their viral efforts while my personal life indicators went completely into organ shutdown - without considering the heart problem possibility. I understand that I didn't fit the heart problem protocol because I had no valve blockage or heart attack indicators... The heart surgeon did indicate (after the operation) that my heart was that of an 18 year old with no buildup of cholesterol or other common defects of a typical 63 yo. I do understand that the hospital's protocols are being re-examined to consider healthier heart patients so that others may not share my experiences.

T-Al
Quote:
... to say that it's "Winning Life's Lottery" is like the gambler who says "I hope I break even -- I could sure use the money!"
Never having been a lottery player, I never considered a lottery player as a gambler, I guess; I look at a lottery player as someone who is looking for an extremely unlikely windfall, although that could be also considered as gambling also. To me, "Winning Life's Lottery" is a series of windfalls, deserved or otherwise, that enhance your life.

Very best regards and appreciate those occurrences of "Winning Life's Lottery"

JohnP
__________________
Dad's Dream; to have enough money someday to live the kind of life my wife and kids do...
Life is what happens while you are making other plans... John Lennon...
the more you look, the more you see...
JohnP is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
I just bought VFINX today AirJordan FIRE and Money 113 12-19-2007 07:17 AM
Why are lottery winnings taxed RedHawk FIRE and Money 26 01-20-2007 06:04 AM
Wins $41 million and plans to keep working wabmester FIRE and Money 32 01-13-2007 01:47 PM
Lottery Loosers REWahoo Other topics 21 08-17-2006 01:13 PM
lottery dory36 Other topics 3 01-23-2004 05:55 PM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:46 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.