In 2014 I got the flu and did NOT get my flu shot. I had the H1N1 influenza strand. What followed was two months of an induced coma fighting Sepsis, Pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and multi-organ failure. Every day I feel so fortunate to be alive. I was a healthy young man in the prime of life who just got the flu and faced death. The medical and nursing care I received was incredible. From that experience I became a nurse and completed graduate work in Public Health. I am even doing research right now on how to improve communication barriers of awake-mechanically ventilated patients to improve outcomes. I am a patient-family advisor and share my story in hopes it will make an impact. I'm moving on towards doctorate studies now to focus on Patient-Family Centered Care and including patients and families in my research and even as co-authors. I'm happy to join this conversation and look forward to more engagement.