Just remembered I was in a bad car accident 16 years ago, so there was another month spent in a hospital!
Also just a sidenote after writing all of this, you are 100% right, these experiences make us stronger. Everything we go through makes us who we are. Here is a quote from my favourite band (and I should really take my own advice sometimes!)
Life for you, has been less than kind
So take a number, stand in line
We’ve all been sorry, we’ve all been hurt
But how we survive, is what makes us who we are