Wow, I have such a large amount of respect for medical workers. I always have, but especially after reading these stories. I've considered becoming one myself, but came to the ultimate conclusion that I'd be too sensitive to ever work in the medical field, because I wouldn't be able to get over any of these things. I already have PTSD. 

I was in the ICU when I was 19 because I made an impulsive decision I instantly regretted and felt guilty about. I took a full bottle of tylenol, and it was the biggest bottle they had. I never coded, but did ask the ICU nurse if she thought I was going to live. It was the first time I saw a nurse fight back tears. She said "We are going to try our best, but I can't promise anything". I did begin to feel oddly calm &amp; spaced out. I don't know if at one point I got close, but before I was discharged almost a month later, the same nurse told me that was the worst suicide attempt they had seen in two years. I was grateful that I had lived, but I it wasn't until I thought I wouldn't make it, that I realized how much I wasn't actually ready to die. I cried so much after seeing my mom crying once I was allowed visitors. I felt awful and vowed to myself that I would never do that again. I was also told before leaving the hospital that if I hadn't come to the hospital when I had, that I would have died. They said there is no way I would have survived that. To this day, I am grateful for all the wonderful medical staff that was there for me,as well as kind. I had a friend commit suicide last year, &amp; it's been heartbreaking because he never got the second chance that I did.

I ended up being in a serious motorcycle accident a few years later as well, where I almost lost my leg. I became friends with the ER nurse who cleaned out and sewed up my wounds. Since then, I have heard about the types of stories many of you have described as well, and I can't imagine how tough it must be. You guys are amazing.