Things I would have missed

I composed this the day before our last poetry night and contemplated reading it then. It's longer than most of my odes, (18 verses)  and quite personal, so will only be reading the one poem, this evening.

THINGS I WOULD HAVE MISSED

Was born at home in January,

Though, due to being "mad"

(I was born "foaming at the mouth")

'Twas Ep'lepsy, I had.

So I, to hospital, was rushed,

And there, I did remain

With mum, 'til I was stabilized

Few weeks, then home again.

That was the only Grand Mal fit 

That ever have, I would,

Though aft' first sev'n year life cycle,

Returned, in milder mood.

Years later, still a youngster,

Under  parental care,

Some surgery had been offered.

To treat that ailment there.

My mother had a cousin

In nursing field, she'd trained

Asked her advice about it,

From her knowledge, mum gained.

She did advise against it,

Mother, informed, by she,

"Better Colin being the smart boy,

Than handicapped, he be."

On average, every fortnight, 

(That's fourteen days, to you)

A seizure, it would raise its head

'Twas almost aye, on cue.

I COULD have gone for six weeks,

That happened often too,

But then, next day, they would return,

And three in row, were due.

Aft' standing up for myself

When, hospital 'ppointments, had,

The surgery was re-offered,

MY choice, not, mum or dad.

Aged 32, had surgery,

Of brain, removed small part,

Am thankful, that DID clear it up,

Forever, grateful heart.

Now IF the surgery had gone wrong,

Or was not offered, me.

I would have missed out on a lot,

"Like what?" - I'll let you see.

Would ne'er have been allowed to drive,

My 20's, sad, I felt,

When peers, and younger, vehicles had,

A 'poor hand', I'd been dealt.

Would ne'er have got to migrate,

The medication fee

Would've been so vast, insurance,

Back home, my meds were free.

Career in caring, which I did,

For over thirty years,

Would've been denied me instantly,

That thought, brings me to tears.

I'd not have had the empathy 

I gained, by being 'ill',

Couldn't put myself in "their shoes"

Nor loving care, fulfill.

They had to freeze right side of brain,

Thus left side body, numb,

As if a 'Stroke' I had endured,

So glad that didn't succumb.

And even if surgery had been good, 

Recovery, not so,

My left side, paralysed, remained?

Family and friends, not know?

Though worst of all, would not be here,

( That thought, could make one curse,)

Why, you folk, would ne'er have had the chance

T'hear my poetic verse.