If you have had an extremely serious, even life-threatening, illness: what have you learned?

I have often thought of asking this question of people in a hospice or people recovering from life-saving surgery. In fact, I’ve done that once or twice. One person’s unforgettable answer: “I learned not to put things off.”

Staring mortality in the face seems to do something to people, shows them something the rest of us can’t see. I would like to hear about those lessons, revelations, and insights if you have had this experience.