In February, I had an aortic dissection. That's a big deal medical emergency with the kill ratio of a special forces operator.

Symptoms were similar to a heart attack, so it took a while to diagnose (John Ritter died of it, because they were treating him for a heart attack). In the ER they kept asking me if I was on coke, viagra, etc. Then someone brought up coffee.

I remember admitting that I had 6 cups that day, and thinking they'd stop taking me seriously. When they* finally figured out my medical situation and told me I needed to have IMMMEDIATE open heart surgery, the first thing I said was "thank god I'm not a hypochondriac".

Then I worried about my family and work and shit like that. But thanks to coffee my first worry was they'd think I "a bubblegummer".

* - "they" btw, was an awesome nurse and NOT the 3 doctors who saw me there.