I spent 3 days in ICU this week.

I lied in a bed next to a woman in her 50's (guesstimate) She came in soon after me on an ambulance trolley, complaining of severe stomach pains. On Tuesday she lost consciousness, and had to be hooked up to a ventilator.

For two days I listened to her gurgling, struggling for breath and writhing in agony.

She did not have one single visitor the entire time.

Yesterday morning I overheard a nurse calling police to inform them that the machines are about to be switched off for this patient.

I watched the doctor nonchalantly pull the plug, then go about his paperwork and return half an hour later to declare her 'deceased.'

I realise she could not have had a reasonable chance of surviving for this to have happened, but it left me in a profound state of sadness and made me incredibly thankful for the people who love me, and the fact that I will (hopefully) not be in that woman's shoes when my time comes.

Count your blessings people. That's all