Glad to hear you're feeling better and on the mend. I have sympathy for you and trust me, I know how you're feeling. I had a bad motorbike crash when I was 21 (29 now) which tore part of my aorta leaving me with a bit of an emergency. I had major heart surgery to repair it through my back (they tell me it's the best way to get in!). Involves a cut from the top of your left shoulder all the way around under your left nipple before they separate your ribs take your left lung out, fix the hole in your heart, lung back in, then lots of staples...............Quite simple really!
I had never felt terror like it before......actually feeling like my life was going to end when I was 21.........and it nearly did. The support staff and nurses in the hospital in Leicster (UK) are simply amazing and made my recovery all the better.
It does make you sit up and think about life though for sure. I wouldn't change it though. It's made me a better person and I don't regret a moment of it. I think I'd be a very different person for the worst if it hadn't happened to me.
I do hope you find a bit of yourself you didn't know was there before........I know I did.
All the best, and good luck with everything.
Puck