On December 9th 2008, I went into surgery to place a Lap Band around my stomach in order to get help in losing weight and regain back my health that I neglected for 18 years by working 15 to 17 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The operation was successful but I could not even drink water for several days as the Lap Band was too tight.  The doctor decided to go back in and fix it surgically.

I went back in on December 13th for a second operation.  It was successful and was completed in less than 45 minutes.  In the recovery room few minutes later, my heart stopped.

They had to bring me back which took 33 seconds.

I was in a coma from the 13th of December to the 25th.  I woke up on Christmas day.  I stayed in the ICU for 3 weeks and a total of 28 days in the hospital.

I got back home on December 31st (My anniversary) and for the last 2 weeks I have been learning to walk again like a baby, but things are getting better every day and I am truly blessed to be alive.

I am sharing this personal experience with you for 2 reasons, the first is because God is great, I had a lot of people world wide praying for me.  It was a really tough month on my family.  The second, is because I want others to enjoy the gift of life and not take it for granted.  Be healthy, or get healthy.  Nothing in the world is worth it.  Your family and friends are the biggest assets you could ever have.

I want to thank all the hundreds of people that came to see me or called me from all over the world and for all the beautiful flowers that flooded our home for the last 30 days.

Thank you all and may God bless

- Lino "with a new life" Tadros