You'd Better Pick Your Own Problems
Written by Aaron Rashkin on Jul 20, 2010 1:29 am
PREFACE: I've heard it said before that if everyone in the world could somehow throw all their problems into a giant bag and swap with someone else, that you'd better just pray that when it comes time to pick a new problem, that you grabbed your own and not someone else's.
After experiencing what turned into a medical nightmare for me this past week while on a part business, part leisurely trip to Europe, I couldn't agree more with the above statement.
What you are about to read is a true story that happened for me between June 8th & June 17th, 2010. I took pictures to document my trip, and as you will see, there's not much "trip" to them, but just an account of how I spent my visit to Norway.
And although my story is kind of depressing, as they say, every dark cloud has a "Silver Lining" and mine, the Silver Lining that came from my darkest cloud, is as bright as bright can be.
Let me explain...
While traveling to Norway to support one of my great friends & business partners, Per Gunnar Hoem, the #1 Scandinavian Leader in Home Based Business, at a LIVE event he was hosting for over 500 people this past week I woke up from a nap on my flight from Newark New Jersey to Oslo, Norway, to find that my left elbow was in excruciating pain.
Not only was it inflamed and very red, but my skin was hot.
Unsure of what happened, I iced it on the plane for an hour and took some Advil that another passenger had in her purse.
Sure enough, when arriving in Oslo, I was only able to use one arm to de-board the plane, get through customs and gather my luggage. Thank goodness that my friend and business partner Carl Harald Krystad met me at the baggage claim to assist me and drive me to my hotel.
Being only 9:30 am when I arrived, I attempted to sleep but with my elbow throbbing and in excruciating pain, it was very difficult.
Not even a Norwegian Beer that night could put my arm at ease, so after almost 24 hours of attempting to get comfortable and actually fall asleep in my hotel room, I decided to take a taxi cab to a nearby medical clinic where they immediately drew blood and found that I had an infection that found its way to the Bursar Sac in my elbow.
They called it "student's elbow", because I was leaning on it for several hours while I read my book on the flight, similar to a student reading and studying for an exam.
I didn't have a fever, although I had flu like symptoms and I was very uncomfortable when I was sent back to my hotel room.
24 hours later after reporting to the same clinic for a follow up appointment and giving more blood, I was told I needed emergency surgery for my condition and that I was to take a cab to a local hospital and get checked in.
Well, sure enough, after giving more blood, again, and a series of visits from several doctors and specialists, I went under the knife at 7:00 pm on Friday June 11th. It just so happened it was my birthday that day, and sure enough, with the success of my surgery, I felt there was some metaphorical meaning to it all - perhaps a NEW Birthday or better yet, a new lease on my life?
Not quite sure what the outcome of what was happening for me was going to be, I just prayed that the good lord was watching over me as I put my faith into everyone and everything I didn't even understand.
What started out as a leisurely business trip that I looked forward to for months, turned into a medical nightmare.
From the pain and swelling to the sleep deprivation to the lack of food to emergency surgery, to 24/7 monitoring with IVs, blood samples and morphine being pumped into my system, all in a foreign country, well, this was just the tip of the iceberg.
Now, to get into every single detail of my experience in this Government Funded Hospital would make for a very drab story, especially because I myself do not want to re-live it all again, but I will share with you some of the highlights of my week there in Norway.
First, there were the living conditions.
To best explain, I was in a Government Funded Hospital, so despite excellent medical care, there was no room for me.
I spent my first 2 days in the hallway, surrounded by dividers that kept me in a little cocoon, so that the rest of the hospital ward couldn't see me when passing by and so that I didn't have to see them. For 48 hours after my surgery, I was enclosed in a little 6 X 10 little cell.
Finally, after 2 days of being in the hallway, I was moved into a room with my own sink and a window and a few chairs and sofa. Life was good. And in this room, I was to remain for the next 4 days.
I had to share a bathroom and shower with about 40 other patients. This fact alone was very challenging for me, so I requested a hospital worker to hose down, sterilize and sanitize the facilities before I had to use them. Thank goodness I learned a few Norwegian words and was able to say them with a smile! The most important being, "Takk", or "Thank You".
Then, there was the food.
If a picture was ever worth a thousand words, here it is. 6 nights in the hospital, six times this meal was brought to me. You might even notice that there is a bite taken out of one of the pieces of ham on a piece of bread. That was both my first and last bite of that meal. I refused to eat that food, so instead, I ate whatever fruit they could find me, along with my own protein bars that I cleverly packed for my trip, just in case I could not find a snack between meals. Of course, I did not anticipate being in the hospital, so I had to eat my protein bars as my main course, for every meal, for 6 days straight.
What seemed like a long, long, long story for me, (since I was the one in the hospital with IVs sticking out of my arm, after having given blood about 18 times, having my arm hang like a piece of meat on a hook and morphine and anti-biotics being pumped into my veins for 6 days straight), something good, no GREAT has come from my experience.
Now although I cannot go back and change the past, I have to say that during this entire ordeal, something changed inside of me that I know I will never forget long into the future.
Every time I had a complaint about my situation, the pain in my arm, the fact that my business trip was ruined, emergency surgery, terrible food, horrible living conditions, EVERY TIME I found myself complaining, I quickly reminded myself of these things...
It could be worse - a lot worse.
I could have had to get my arm amputated.
I could not have had clean drinking water.
I could not have had ANY medical attention.
I could not have had any food.
I could not have had any communication with the doctors and nurses in English.
I could not have had an iPhone or computer to communicate with my family or friends or be entertained by watching movies or using FaceBook or Twitter or sending and receiving email.
I could not have insurance or a way to pay for my ticket home or a hotel room when I was discharged to rest one day before I flew.
In the end, it all boiled down to a few very powerful thoughts for me.
Although I was not happy with my situation, I was grateful.
I felt appreciative.
I felt fortunate.
And I felt blessed.
Because just knowing that my situation was temporary, gave me all the comfort in the world.
I knew I would be leaving soon.
I knew I would heal and become healthy again.
I knew my family & friends would be waiting for my arrival back in the USA.
I knew my life would quickly get back on track and I'd be able to live my normal life again, with great living conditions, great food, and lots of love.
But you see, this is NOT the case for so many others around the world.
Clean drinking water, healthy food and a place to rest their head at night is NOT something that everyone around the world gets to enjoy.
Matter of fact, every day, children and adults in 3rd World Countries suffer and die from a lack of these luxuries and their consequences.
My experience made me realize just how blessed I am to have the things I DO have in my life.
If you can read this on a computer or mobile device, consider yourself blessed too.
If you live in a country where there is clean drinking water, food and a place for you to rest your head that is not in the dirt or filled with insects, rodents or disease, consider yourself blessed.
For me, I realize that anyone living in a first world country, that can experience the freedoms of life and have clean water, food and a place to rest their head every night, is on top of the world.
If you live in a place where you have easy access to these things, don't just consider yourself blessed, consider yourself WEALTHY, because compared to the rest of the World, you are.
I know I am.
So, considering my own problems versus those of many in our world, my attitude is gratitude.
My feeling is appreciation.
And my understanding has been changed forever.
Just make sure that if you ever have to switch problems with someone else in this world, that when it comes time to grab a problem and call it your own, that you grab your own, because you will be much better off than if you grab someone else's.
Thanks for taking an interest in my experience and please share your thoughts if you have any.
Warm & prosperous regards!
Views: 1,344
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Comments: 28 
About the Author: Aaron Rashkin
Member Since: 08/06/2007
Company: Lifestyle Marketing Group, LLC
Industry: Marketing and Advertising
Primary Web Site: http://www.WealthWithoutMLM.com
WOW Aaron ...
That was scary even to "read" (let alone what you had to do -
live through it). Glad you're doing OK now, and thank you for
sharing what you learned and took away from this.
Truly a lesson for us all.
Take Care,
Mark Wieser
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So glad to hear you are better...
Hi Aaron,
I heard you were ill while you were away, but I didn't realize how seriously it was. So glad to hear that you are better and doing well again.
Thank you so much sharing and reminding us how important it is to learn from our experiences, good or bad, and remember to be grateful.
Sincerely,
Virginia Wild
Yes, we are wealthy! Thanks for reminding Aaron!
It was surprising to read about the condition of the Norwegian hospital... but lucky you - it wasn't a Russian hospital!
It could be another story.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hope you feel much better now.
/Elena Kazanova
What an experience!
Hi Aaron,
First, I am glad that things had a happy ending for you.
Isn't it kind of funny how our perspective changes when we find ourselves in difficult situations? We are indeed very blessed.
Hope you are all well now.
Blessings,
Ilka Flood
Great insights...
Hey Aaron,
Thanks for sharing your story, and especially for reminding us what's important.
Best,
Shecky
powerful!!
So happy to hear that you survived the ordeal. It's a great testimony of how we should count our blessings. We are very fortunate to be where we are and it is with the grace of God that we get to stay that way. A little appreciation can only lead to more blessings.
Thanks for sharing.
Nancy
Wow... you just affirmed for me what I teach my daughter....
Aaron, Praise God that all turned out well for you! After reading your story it just affirmed what I have taught my daughter since she was about 5. There is always a silver lining. Sometimes you have to look a little harder but even in the times of sadness or hardship to always find things to be grateful for. A good reminder for all of us. Thanks for sharing...
Aleta
Oh, Bolongna!! (is that how you spell baloney?)
I know you - you love those bologna sandwiches!! Good to have you back in town and in the gym. Thanks for all your help you have done for me personally over the last year! Much appreciated!
Greg
Great Lesson Shared
Aaron,Thank you for sharing your experience truly it was a valuable lesson, one we can all benefit from. Counting your blessings and naming them one by one, does keep us grateful. We are wealthy beyond measure and should never assume it is our right, but only our privilege to be so blessed. Clarity comes with this type of soul searching!
Bev Bojarski
Thank God you had the vision and the guts to pursue that vision
I believe you may have helped some folks
put their situation into proper persceptive.
I can tell you are a leader...you just kept going.
As far as the Government run hospital...no surprise
as I'm Canadian and that's how it's done with government run hospitals.
My Brother was stuck in hallway in 1989 with full blown aids
at the age of 26 for 2 days until we brought the hammer down on them.
Anyway enough politics...great story for the Grandkids.
God bless
Be Grateful !
It's not always easy to remember and be grateful, for there's so many things we take for granted, as we get caught up in our daily lives. Such a very important message.
Thanks for Sharing!
Pat
Congratulations on finding the sliver lining in adversity!
Glad you are doing better. Pretty scary!! I bet your family is happy to see you after that.
Jenny Ferns
Aaron It Is Sad You Missed The Beautiful Part Of Norway
I can assure you that you are lucky.
Even if you didn't have a dime, you would get the same treatment, medicine and food:-)
The hospitals in Norway are maybe not luxurious in your eyes, but somehow you get what you need badly.
You are right, it could be worse.
I worked in Mozambique for about three years, and there I saw hospitals short of cotton, clean water and electricity - and there they had to make it without any pain killer...
So hospitals in Norway are quite luxurious in the eye of many.
Aaron, glad you are recovering and you could see this from different angles - you are strong:)
Best regards from a Norwegian
Glad You Are OK
Aaron. First...glad you are ok!!! Second, I respect you for finding the good and sharing your experience so others can reflect. Thanks again for your emotional story.
Pure Gold Aaron Thanks For Sharing
"Because just knowing that my situation was temporary, gave me all the comfort in the world" is something I can relate to from a similar experience ... your attitude is just awesome.
So you and Sophia owe yourselves a VERY SPECIAL dual birthday celebration you never really had huh?
Diane Cossie
Great Story Aaron
I know it was pain but it was also a fantastic learning experience
Thanks for sharing it
All things good or bad have a purpose
Yes, my friend. Even though I do not know you, we all pass through difficult times, and we never look up, where our beautiful God is Blessing us every moment. So good thing you came back from that problem, and you recognized that we need to think about the many things we have to be grateful for.
As always, God Bless you and keep working.
Jose Joe Lasa
Aaron, that was an incredible story!!
God certainly was watching over you and what a positive attitude you managed to maintain considering your circumstances...I suspect you'll remember this birthday for a VERY long time!!
Continued blessings for your health.
Ahh The Unexpected
Perhaps you could revisit the country and bring back some pleasant memories. But at least you debriefed yourself here and that has got to be a good thing. Right? If not you might like to talk to someone in a position to get you through the after effects because that sort of imprint is not easy to "paint over". And I like your analogy about problem swapping I can really see your point.
Good Luck and thanks for Sharing
Reflection
Sometimes in the moments that we are forced to slow down we find the greatest power within. We realize how valuable life is and the many things we can be grateful and thankful for. We are truly blessed to have all we have.
We ARE Wealthy!
Aaron,
What a poignant story. I am glad that in the end you are home and healthy.
At any given moment it is so crucial for us to put it all in perspective. Anyone who is reading your story, surfing the "net", interacting here on Better Networker -- is infinitely better off than 95% of the people in the world today. Yes, it is so much about being grateful and feeling how truly we wealthy we are.
All the best to you and Sophia,
Deborah
Yes, we are truly lucky...
So nice to hear you visited Norway=) Even though it didn't turn out how you'd imagined...:( It was also my bithday by the way:) I'm Swedish living in Norway,(and Per-Gunnar is my mentor).
I can see how the boring and dry Norwegian hospital sandwiches tipped the iceberg, haha! Sorry you didn't get to experience a better time. Glad you're well now and hope that your visit haven't scared you off to give it another try!
And thank you for the reminder of how lucky we are!
Aaron's Adventure in Norway
Hi Aaron,
This was an amazzing story. You are so fortunate in that you landed in a country such as Norway. You are correct in your thoughts on being in a place where you could communicate and had good doctors. It could have been a whole different outcome had you been in some other country. Thank the good lord above it happened in such a place that it did. We all need to be thankful for the things we have and are blessed with every day. Glad you are better and thank you for helping us to see another gift in your experience.
Bud Corwin
The Blessings of Adversity
Thanks for sharing your experience and insight with us Aaron,
Sometimes our perceptions get a little out of focus. What is really a small thing in life appears to be something bigger. It's easy for us to believe that our problems are the biggest problems in the world but there is always someone else who has a bigger problem than ours.
Thanks for reminding us to keep things in perspective, to always be appreciative for what we have and to always be aware that there are many who are less fortunate than us. They are the ones who truly need our help. We are indeed blessed and hopefully in turn, we will learn to bless others.
Fred Williams
WOW-What A Experience
I can not imagine having to go through something like that in a foreign country. I am sure you were scared not having your family with you. Thank God You Listened. I mean, things happen for a reason and He was reaching out to you. It was Your Time to learn this lesson to be able to reach out to all of us and remind us to be Thankful for what we have. We (Americans) take for granted all the privaledges that we have just by being Americans.
Glad you are home safe and I hope you've had a full recovery. Take care of yourself and Keep up the Great Work.
Carol Perdue
Thank you, Aaron
Aaron;
Thanks so much for taking the time and energy to share a very personal chapter from your life with us. I am so sorry this happened to you, but glad you are OK now! You certainly have the right perspective on the measure of a man's true wealth- which has to do more with having faith, family, and friends than the dollars in our bank accounts. True, the dollars buy the necessities we need, and for those of us who have access to these necessities, we are truly blessed. It's a blessing to know you, Sophia, and your mom and dad out here in Scottsdale too! Keep up your great work, Aaron, we are right behind you!
WOW ~ Kudos!
Great story! Thanks for sharing and reminding us, no matter the circumstance, BE Grateful! Happy to hear you made it home safely and are on the mend.
Many blessings!
Shirley
Amazing story. I'm curious
Amazing story. I'm curious why you won't speak with the press. A friend of mine, who works at a breast augmentation Beverly Hills clinic knows all kind of similar stories. In one, a guy almost froze in a hospital during the night.