What's the closest you've come to dying?

You really don't want to know.

Hi. Mark: I don't think I was truly close to dying, but I seriously thought I was during this episode:

Several months ago, while my spouse and I were doing some renovation upgrades in one room of our house, I was overcome by a dizzy spell - very unusual for me. It got worse and worse until literally I could not stand up because the room was spinning wildly. I had never ever experienced that before.

It got worse and after I went into the bathroom to be sick, I went to the bedroom to lay down on the bed. It didn't matter whether my eyes were open or closed, it felt like I was spinning in circles. I don't recall any other symptoms other than the spinning and dizziness, but as I lay on the bed I was convinced it was a heart attack and that I would soon be dead.

Sooo ... I thanked the Creator for a good life filled with numerous blessings, including my wonderful wife, grown children and several grandchildren, and said, "God, I don't know if this is my time, but if it is, I am ready. Take me home and please take care of my family."

Well, the intense part of the episode passed after about an hour or so, but the dizziness remained. A couple of days later, I had another similar intense episode and then was finally able to see my doctor (my wife kept telling me to go to emergency at the hospital, but I didn't. :rolleyes

Turns out it is a fairly common condition called labyrinthitis, a condition in the ear. It is not life-threatening, but trust me, it is very alarming and stressful! lol

My doctor called my episodes, "acute labyrinthitis." I said it wasn't cute to me, but I'd take his word for it. I had another one or two acute episodes, and the dizziness lasted for more than a month.

Since then, I've been okay. And the lesson I learned from it was that my faith is secure and well-placed. I know I am in the hands of the Creator.

GT