Like what other choice, did you have, honestly ... except the obvious one.

That made me laugh, you would be surprised how many people tell me that they could never survive that and your comment is spot on, you survive because there is no other viable option.

Do you think substandard / incompetent care was in any way to blame for this?

My first gastroenterologist almost killed me, sending me home just before my bowel perforated sure that I was fine, even though I had lost 20kg and was in immense pain, so I would say yes, it played a part but what happened happened, I'm alive and that's what matters most.

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on the post, I appreciate that a lot :-)