I was almost murdered by someone with a machete AMA

Did you live?

I don't know, I could still be in a coma.

It has been reported that some coma patients retreat into a sort of fantasy world from which they could not wake up.
In this catatonic state, the patient lived in a world just like their normal one, except they were fully awake and in full control of their body. They are aware of the reason they are in hospital and think everything is under control again, that they are tended to and will be able to leave soon.
The only way that they realized they needed to wake up was a note or message or some kind of writing, in newspapers, in letters or in the internet, which they found in their fantasy world. It would tell them about their state, and tell them to wake up. Even then, it would often take months until they were ready to discard their fantasy world and please wake up.

Dunk me.

Was this the first time you have been cut with a machete in the neck?

Yes, but not the first time almost being decapitated. I almost did it when I was about 20, riding a dirt bike and hit a barb wire fence.

Have you considered not doing things? Doing things seems to not be working out in your favor.

When I do things, other things happen. I'm not a fan.

Given your history I would avoid fans.

I am not a fan of fans.

Did the word WASTED flash before your eyes before respawning outside the hospital?

But seriously, what happened after the first strike you just blacked out?

How come the scar is so long? What do you think he did after the first chop?

Do you feel discomfort when talking about this, like any PTSD or does it not bother you anymore.

ps. I'm glad you are alive.

1. I am glad it didn't

2.I thought he slapped me, the blade was sharp and didn't hurt.

3.The blade chopped through my entire neck, luckily it did not my jugular.

4.I have PSTD, but only little things are different like dreams are more lucid.

& Thank you.

How did it not chop through your jugular? It looks like it went straight through. How close was it to cutting your jugular? Did it hit it and not cut it but just pull on it? Sorry about all the questions, I'm just incredibly surprised it didn't cut clean through it.

I was told it was centimeters. The "lucky to be alive" and "It was a miracle" were phrases thrown around. I make light of it, but I know how lucky I am.

Picture of the dog...... Please?

Jo Jo

Do you still think Jo Jo makes a good guard dog, or has he lost that privilege?

He died about 5 months ago. I have a new pup. Yoshi

Did Jo Jo ever have a bizarre adventure?

Once we left out of town, and him, my other dog, and our cat tried tracking us down across the country. There was a mountain lion, a mean animal clinic, and a lot of montages.

So what you are saying they were bound for home?

Somewhat of an incredible journey.

I don't think Jo Jo was there when this happened

He wasn't I dropped him off right before I went back over.

That is very interesting. Do you think that he meant to kill you with the hit or just cut you? The area of the cut leads me to believe he wanted to kill you but if so why would he only strike once?

You know, I have no idea. I was told that he couldn't be charged with "attempted murder" because he didn't say anything along the lines of "I want to kill you". But I figure, if you come at someone with that large of a weapon, you have nothing in mind other than taking that persons life. But like I said, I have no clue.

I'm not trying to bash the US or anything, but some of your laws seems fucking broken.

That's an English common law definition that stretches back hundreds of years before the US was founded.

It's not about saying the magic words or not, it's about being able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he possessed the intent to kill. Intent is a difficult thing to prove.

That's what I gathered from it. I've also heard it is extremely expensive to head up that kind of investigation, but that is just second hand hear say.

Did you have to cover all of the medical bills yourself? Also how was the recovery process after you woke up? Any nerve or muscle damage?

The state paid for about 15k on a 200k medical bill. I think I will be in debt my whole life. I tried to see about suing him, but he had nothing, like I said, it was all in a bad neighborhood.

Sorry, I don't mean to derail your thread or get all political but if someone TRIES TO MURDER YOU in the US, there's no way you can cover the damages if that person happens to be poor? That seems mental.

In my case, it is sad but true.

This is making me mad. You must be livid. You don't have 200k and he doesn't have 200k so out of the two people who could be given the debt, YOU get it???

Never thought of it like that. Damn good point.

Well, I have massive respect for how philosophical you're being about it...if that's any consolation.

Thank you.

Have you thought about one of the online fund campaigns such as gofundme.com? I am sure that the reddit community would offer some support even if it is only a portion of the bills for a short time.

I wouldn't mind something like that, but I don't think I could ask for money for something that is not someone else's fault. It's not their problem.

Have you thought about changing countries? Maybe Canada? Fuck that debt.

I want to move to Norway.

Sick scar, dude. Bitches must love that shit.

They do.

Do they love men in debt?

Nope.

I know this is not that interesting, but I am bored. So AMA.

It is interesting, don't sell yourself short. I'm glad you survived.

A week in ICU? Damn. I know this might seem like an overreaction, but don't be afraid to meet with a counselor to diagnose PTSD. There's no shame in it and you don't have to wait until the symptoms show up, in fact it's best not to.

Also what game were you playing?

Spades.

Haha, Spades is such a jailhouse game. You should have known right away this guy was trouble.

I should have just asked to play Dominos.

Probably no one will see this, according to Wikipedia, Spades is a trick-taking card game devised in the United States in the 1930s. It can be played as either a partnership or solo/"cutthroat" game.

Nice.

What happened to him? Legally I mean? He better have been arrested.

He was arrested, I think that same night, or in the early morning. He was charged with 2 counts of agg assault with a deadly weapon. He's serving a 15 do 10 and banished from the county.

Banished? Wow. Well I hope you are okay. Any lingering effects besides the scar?

I can scratch behind my ear, and feel it in my lower back, and visa versa.

Who found you?

A neighbor. It happened right behind where I was living. They were having a BBQ and hear the shouting. When I was walking away, they called me over (At the same time they called the cops) and told me to lay down it was bad. I didn't think so because it didn't hurt. Then I saw all the blood and decided to listen to them. Within the next 30 mins I was at Grady Hospital in Atlanta. Great medical team by the way.

Where near ATL was this? I'd just like to know so I don't end up moving there. Thanks OP.

It is near a place called Douglas county. Don't ever go into metro Atlanta, because YOU WILL GET MURDERED! Everyone here knows it, it is the "out of towners" that need to be educated. STAY AWAY! (I'm not kidding)

God dammit this would happen in atlanta. Finally see something happening here and its yet another attempted murder

God dammit this would happen in atlanta

How I feel exactly.

1. How deep into your neck did the blade go exactly?
2. How long ago did this happen?
3. Do people constantly stare at the scar when talking to you?

Glad you pulled through btw.

1. It went 3 inches in. Barley missing my vocal box by centimeters.

2. About 2 years ago.

3.I don't know, I haven't paid that much attention, and if the are, I don't mind.

& thank you.

Why do you think he didn't cut you a second time?

I don't know, I think he was trying to impress the people around him. And once he knew he messed up, he took off.

Wait, how many people were there?

Him and two others. They left after he shoved me. I think they knew something bad was about to happen.

[deleted]

I like imports, but that day we were drinking Budweiser.

how does it feel to have a metal blade on your neck??

I thought he slapped me. The blade was so sharp, I felt almost nothing.

Sorry to hear this dude. Whereabouts did this happen?..... I wanna add it to my list of "don't go there"

Atlanta. Enter at your own risk.

Holy crap. What area?

Southwest metro Atlanta. Near Fulton.

Yikes. I am on the east side, which is only slightly better.

Avoid Sandy Springs. That place is horrible.

Who fed your dog?

My girlfriend. She lives with me.

Would you rather 100 machete sized horses or 1 horse sized machete?

Easy: 100 machete sized horses.

Do you have a fear of knifes or sharp object now?

No. I somehow pulled through.

How often do strangers ask what happened when they notice the scar? Do you ever make a different story up?

I always tell the truth, people seem to enjoy the pain of others. Plus it is a bad ass scar. I embrace it.

Do you play Pokemon

I did a while ago. But in my defense, I loved Gameboy.

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This is the original thread.

Wow. Sorry this happened to you man. How long ago did this happen and how often do you think about this a day?

About 2 years ago, and I don't think about it much, except for when I am shaving.

Favourite band?

Jimi Hendrix.

Did you ever find out if the guy had any mental issues ?

Actually, I found out through some research that he had a violent history. Mostly with family members and even sexually assaulted his niece.

How do you feel about gun control?

I think mental background checks are more important than criminal background checks.

How do you feel about machete control?

I'm against it. No one should own a machete. They are dangerous. It is not the person behind the weapon, but the weapon itself. The only thing that stops a bad guy with a machete, is a good guy with.....a quick enough response time to call 911.

What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Ask /u/Unidan

Does watching Dewey Cox give you the creeps now?

He was cut lower than me. If I was a ghost I would kill myself.

Do you still live in the same neighborhood? If so, why? If I were you I'd get out of there asap. If someone slashes my neck, I know it's time to gtfo.

I do, but I somehow got a lot of respect around the area. I am not "that guy" but it is cool seeing people nod and wave at you. They didn't do that before.

There 4 things need to know.

1) What game were you playing?

2) Do you abuse your scar for Halloween?

3) Can you eat cereal?

4) Pending on question 3 what is your favorite cereal?

1. Spades.

2. I haven't Yet

3.Yes.

1. Golden Ghrams.

If you remember the pain from that, what was it like? Also ( I'm assuming it was light enough to see), when you saw the machete, what thoughts ran through your head at that moment?

It was dark. I didn't hear him coming up. He shoved me, I punched him, he ran to his house, grabbed the machete, and came back and hit me. He had a chain wallet on, that's all I could hear approaching.

of course it's a guy with a friggen chain wallet

It's always the guy with the chain wallet.

How did you get to a hospital?

I was life flighted to the hospital in the metro area.

I couldn't imagine what you went through while a maniac came at you with a machete. What was your mindset right before it happened? Was the guy on any type of drugs? Are you always expecting the worse out of people now?

I was just a little aggravated that I chose the wrong person to hang out with. I'd like to think I can catch the character of a person before some shit like this would happen. I don't know if he was on drugs, but he seemed normal. And no, I don't expect the worst, but just reminds me of the way people can be sometimes, even if that is not them. Something might bring out the worst in them. Anything can be toxic, it just depends on the way certain things effect them.

I am confused. He chopped at your neck with a machete, and the next thing you know, you woke up a week later in ICU? So you don't remember walking to your neighbor's and lying down? I guess I am just assuming that you blacked out as soon as he chopped your head.

How long was the recovery?

I was awake and conscious up until I was put in the I.C.U. Sort of. I remember walking away from him, the people helping me, being put into the back of an ambulance, then in a helicopter and (Some) of the ER. After that I don't remember anything.

Chopper : once that bird hits the sky your bankrupt

18k on a 10 minute helicopter ride.

Did they induce your coma?

Yes they did. I fell after loosing roughly 3 liters of blood. I hit the concrete. I (thought). I was fine until I got into the helicopter and the EMT started cracking morbid jokes with me. Then I kind of thought I was done.

What kind of morbid jokes?

I asked him if I was dying, and he said something along the lines of "Only if you're trying to be funny" after I was making light of the situation.

Maybe there's something I didn't read. What ultimately saved your life? It wasn't a killing blow, luckily, but how did you even manage to 'get away/avoid further attack' after he thwacked you. Glad you'll be seeing more of your crazy life, thank you for the AMA.

It doesn't seem like the dude was really thinking straight. He probably grabbed the machete to seem tough, then after the one hit realized that he probably just killed a dude and got the fuck outta there.

I think that is what happened too. I don't know what he was thinking, but it just doesn't seem like life in prison is worth a game of cards.

Does your PTSD only consist of dreaming about it?

Yes, so far. I (somewhat) know what it does to a person, because I was witness to my fathers death. The drugs didn't help then, and they didn't help this time around. I am not "traumatized" by the events, I just wish there were things I could have done differently. So far it has only been dreams and none of them consist of the attack, just more vivid memories of whatever crazy shit I dream of that night.

Is your shar pei okay?

Did the guy got arrested?

What happened from the time you got chopped until you woke up?

1.He died about 5 months ago.

2.Yes he's serving a 15 do 10.

3.It was all black. I got to the ER and then woke up a week later, not remembering anything.

You are in an empty waiting room, waiting for an appointment. There are 15 empty chairs. You get up and use the restroom. When you return to sit down, do you choose the same seat you had before or choose a new one?

Depending on who else is sitting in the room now. I might have gotten up to use the restroom, just so I can come back and sit next to the cute girl.

You mentioned that your father died before this happened. It made me curious, did you have any family or friends who came to be with you in the hospital and afterwards? I sure hope so. Glad to see you're doing alright and aren't too traumatized. I hope you win the lottery or something someday, medical bills are awful.

Just my girlfriend. Sadly, I lost most of my family from being an atheist. I live in the south, and that's pretty much damnation.

I feel like a dick for asking, but curiosity has a hold on me...

What do you think of slasher movies (Friday the 13th, Halloween) since this happened? Like, do they trigger any more anxiety than they did before?

Nothing "triggers" me, but I do point out inaccuracies that are wildly over or under done. Like someone gets hit in the neck with a spike or something and they immediately die. I'm like "THEY COULD HAVE LIVED ANOTHER 20 MINUTES!"

What city was this in?

Atlanta.

I once drunkenly swung a machete at a friend.

How do you feel about me?

You should find another drink, or limit your drinking. If you always act violent, then stop drinking all together.

Probaly shouldnt have punched an obviously drunken man on his own property and expected to get away with it. Hindsight is always 20/20. Sounds like self defense to me. You dont come to someone's home and attack them.

Self defense when he was walking away and done with the fight? Yeah... makes sense

Exactly what happened.