It was my last day of freedom
I was supposed to start the job that worked my butt off to get tomorrow.
I was chilling outside my apartment, finishing some NBA draft stuff until…
I was in Adventist Hospital urgent care in Templeton with scrapes on my face and arms.
There was no rhyme or reason on why that was the case.
Somehow, I noticed that my phone and computer made it to the hospital. Thank god for that, as I was able to contact my family, my job, and my best friend.
I was also able to realize that Giannis might leave Milwaukee… Ohhh the chaos of sports. You blink for a MINUTE and something huge happens.
If that wasn’t enough, I saw the Reds re-sign Emilo Pagan, Dodgers re-sign world series hero MIguel Rojas, and Rays sign Cedric Mullins in MLB free agency.
While at the hospital, I remember getting an IV stuck in my right arm and a bunch of wires on my left. I was forced to sit still in the hospital bed as the doctors were running tests for vitals.
I also remember having a lot of band aids put on me to help cover up the wounds.
I remember sitting there for hours…and hours, waiting for something to happen. I was extremely tired and spacey.
Once it got to around 5 PM, I got the notification that my parents are going to pick me up.
I’LL BE FINALLY OUT OF THIS PLACE.
Eventually, I got hungry. I asked the doctor for food. I got a sandwich and a flavored yogurt.
BUT I WAS STILL HUNGRY.
So, they got me more food. In came some crackers and applesauce for extra nutrition. I felt visibly better after eating, as my energy and mood was heavily improved.
YET I WAS BORED.
A half hour later, I asked the doctor if I could go on a walk outside.
SHE SAID YES.
Eventually, after the walk and some Clash Royale, my parents came and picked me up. They were EXHAUSTED after an ARDUOUS ride from LA to Atascadero.
Then came dinner. My parents were HUNGRY. We did a quick scroll of restaurants on Yelp, and a few minutes later went to the Pig Iron in Templeton, which was a restaurant my dad and I ate at before. I ordered a cheeseburger, and it was DELICIOUS.
Job finished? I DONT THINK SO.
With it being almost 9 PM, my parents were too tired to drive me home. We needed to find a place to stay overnight.
Turns out, we went back to yet ANOTHER place that my dad and I stayed at when I was moving in: Home2Suites.
We were in and out of there quickly: check in, say hi to the front desk guy, get an(ok at best) night of sleep, eat breakfast, and leave.
Then came one last stop at my apartment to pack before our 4-hour drive back on the road. While there, my parents got to meet my neighbor, who helped call 911 and save my life. He was the one who told them what went on, and that I had a seizure.
Last but not least: the ride home. It was a relatively smooth 4 hours with plenty of beautiful scenery, with a short intermission in Santa Barbara for sandwiches.
At 3 PM on a Thursday afternoon, I could say that I made it safely home to Los Angeles with my family.
The first part was already done. But the journey didn’t just end there.
Life since
It’s officially been 5 days since the event happened and I can say that I’m safe at home in Los Angeles, CA with my family.
The toughest part about this life threatening experience has been the uncertainty, especially around my job stuff. After spending all of November finding a position as an ABA therapist, I might not be able to actually work with the company. This worries me, as I tend to do better with a job that gives me structure.
On top of that, I felt like I was just getting my life back together after a difficult job experience. I stayed in touch with a work friend. I was looking for opportunities to play piano at a retirement home. I found a second job as a sports scorekeeper at the local high school. I was thinking about doing martial arts. I thought about joining a church. I feel like I’m back on square one after putting in all that hard work to get myself employed.
I would say that the most difficult part of what’s going on is the lack of freedom I currently have. Going from being able to bike 10+ miles on Tuesday to not being able to do outings alone due to health concerns sucks. This has definitely led to low motivation to do things. Like everything in life, I know that this lack of motivation is temporary. Consistency will pull me through.
My thoughts on health have massively changed after this incident. Before this incident, I was so obsessive with every ingredient I put in my system. Now, I realized no matter how hard I try, stuff can happen. Being healthy is still important but it should NOT affect my enjoyment of life. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so all we can do is enjoy today.
One thing I’ve definitely worried about too much is looksmaxxing. While I believe that looking healthy is still important, this injury taught me that our looks are merely temporary. Our character and personality is what will be truly remembered by others.
This goes for the same about wealth. While it is important to acquire enough for survival, possessions are temporary. Do not fall into the worldly desires, as the rich and poor man will share the same amount when they die: nothing.
I could also say the same about doctors. While I do hold some skepticism about the medical system, I am very thankful for all of the doctors who helped take care of me. It is important to separate the individual for the system.
This is also something I need to think about when it comes to general life plans. When it comes to traveling and spending time with friends, I have to go for it(for financial reasons). I’ve never been one to worry too much about my future, as I have no control over it. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. I want to live a life that I won’t regret.
I can’t thank everyone enough who helped me through this seizure. I want to thank my neighbor who helped call 9-1-1 and get me to the hospital when I lost consciousness. He didn’t have to do that, but he did anyway. I want to do the same to my parents, who came all the way up to Atascadero on a few hours’ notice to pick me up from the doctor’s office. I also want to thank all of the doctors at the hospital who helped take care of me. Finally, I want to thank my best friend who has gone out of his way to check in on me every day.
What about now?
Right now, there is only so much I can do. I have no idea when I can start my job. I don’t know what physical activities will be safe for me. All I can do is to take one thing at a time and be thankful for all that I do have. Like the fact that I’ve been able to sleep okay despite having a bruise near my eye. And how supportive my family and friends have been throughout the process.
I’ve been lucky enough where I got to go to a UCLA WBB game and spend time with a family friend yesterday, which was pretty cool.
WHAT’S NEXT
To be honest, I’m still super focused on being able to start my job ASAP. This is important because I don’t want to get comfortable doing nothing at home and rotting for 3 weeks. I will communicate with my job about medical stuff. I will try to stay physically active in ways I can. I will take advantage of seeing friends who I haven’t been able to see.
I will also work on my youtube, sharing my opinions about life and important topics with others.
For non electronic stuff, I will be continuing on reading a book about ADHD and playing the piano. I will also do a bit of drawing as well.
I will definitely work on my sleep schedule, which has slipped up at times recently.
And of course, I gotta finish my NBA draft model EVENTUALLY, right?
Before I sign off, I gotta thank God for a second wind in life. 2025 has been a rough year for me in many ways. Yet, despite all the tribulations I am still here. May I use this extra opportunity to not just improve myself, but help others through the good and bad in life.
Keep going and stay strong! You got this 💪
Stay strong Adam. I am glad you're doing well and that I was able to be a support to you.