Friends I've never met, life, death and Comic Con

I'm sure a zillion people have been through this. I haven't. I'm sure lots of you have had close calls. I never have.

Myself and Mark Hamill at our first show for Stan Lee's World of Heroes.

As many of you know, my appendix burst on Friday night. I felt sick on Thursday and thought it might be food poisoning. I went out to dinner on Wednesday with my dear friend Roth. We chatted, but it was the day I got engaged. July 4 years ago. Considering what that meant for me, it was a nice night out and very low key. I assumed that dinner did it. Twelve hours of what I thought was agony, and I finally fell asleep. Well, after both season of 'Downton Abbey,' at least.

Myself and Jennings Roth Cornet, who took care of me at the hospital and at the con.

I won't freak you out with details, but needless to say, my appendix burst. I dealt with it for an hour (since I had no idea what really happened) and finally decided to get my phone. It took me 45 minutes to crawl to it and I almost passed out. When the surgeon finally spoke to me, I was told that if I'd waited another fifteen minutes, that would have been it. I would have passed out. I would have died.

Myself, Eric Pumphrey and Dennis Tzeng, who is photobombing us!

Damn, I sound over dramatic. I told the doctor I was going to Comic Con whether it was smart or not. I had a bunch of panels to do, and there was no way I was missing the annual nerd fest. I didn't really have time to think about it. My dad was out to help me while I was in the hospital. My sister had her baby the day after my surgery. SDCC was non-stop work/merriment/geekgasm. Then I got home. This is the first time I've been alone in over a week. It all hit me like a giant orc hammer over the head.

Me and 'Spartacus' star Liam McIntyre, who is the nicest guy EVER!

I was told my a friend that there are exit points in your life and that I chose to stay. Whatever you believe about that (and honestly, I couldn't care less ... that's not what this is about), it's freaky. It feels like I'm stuck in someone's novel. Like I can't control how I feel. Like an author is running it.

The new art I bought from @sawdustbear. Check out her website! Sawdustbear.com!

So, after the con craziness, I finally had an hour to sit down and think about it. About my animals missing me. About my family. About the nephew I would never have met. About the shows I'd never do and the friends I'd never make. About how much I wish certain things were different. And yes, that is a lot to think about in an hour. Damn, I should play World of Warcraft for a few moments to settle my brain. I also thought about how all of your tweets and FB messages carried me through. My friend who came to the hospital. Strangers who gave me a hug at the con.

It was my third year hosting the 'Merlin' panel and this year they let me wear a Knight's cloak!

It was exhausting, honestly. The con isn't exactly a walk in the park if you're working. I hate admitting weakness, but I was tired! I'd start fading, and someone would come up to me and say hi. It got me through. Screw Vicodin. You guys are the ones who kept me upbeat.

Me, the very awesome Dorina and our Tribbles!

I have a feeling this is going to be a long process, realizing the impact of what happened to me. I think it's ultimately going to be wonderful. But the reason I'm writing this is because of all of you. I may not have had time to respond to all of your Twitter and Facebook well wishes, but I read every single one. It hit me that, though things aren't always peachy in one's personal life, all it takes is someone to say, 'I hope you're doing well,' or 'I hope you feel better,' to bring things into perspective. Even as I'm writing this, I got a tweet from someone I've never met, saying they're happy that I'm doing well.

Me and Stan Lee!

So the point is this. Go out and say that to everyone. People you've never met. Ask them how they are. Tell them you hope they're happy. Do something to make them happy. It can change everything. So say we all.