August 12, 2026
Day 13 Health Update
I want to thank everyone who has written me, I’ve been touched by all the love and encouragement shown. And as I’ve laid in bed, reading these emails, it made me feel a bit like Huckleberry Finn, who attended his own funeral.
And thank you for understanding that I could not reply. Until today, Day 13, I could not do anything but lay in bed.When I came home I thought all would be easy, but it’s been a tough week since I was released. The hand is fantastic:
But my body has been ravished by tons of meds, each causing its own side affect, which in turn required another drug, which creates a new side affect, and on and on and on. Here are some of the things I’ve just learned that happened to me:
- When the paramedics arrived, they could not get a blood pressure reading. The snake venom kills by opening up blood vessels, dropping blood pressure.
- To counteract this, I was given 10 liters of fluid. I gained 25 pounds in the hospital and within three days of being home, lost 30 pounds.
- Within hours of the snakebite, my white blood cell count hit 38,000, a number that astounded the doctors.
- I received 62 vials of anti venom, an unheard of number according to poison control.
- This was the worst snakebite that anyone at our trauma center or poison control has ever seen.
But the great news is that today, I’m feeling a little better.
This event has changed me in a way I never imagined, I have become hypersensitive to acts of kindness. Each time I see one, I break down in tears. I’m going to be more kind and loving from here on out.
But I’m also going to be more outspoken about my photographic beliefs, (John’s probably thinking “that’s not possible”). I feel compelled to be loud and clear and I will try to remind people that these views are coming from my perspective as a personally expressive photographer.
I don’t know how this near death experience will change my Vision, but how could it not? But there is no need to force it or rush it: Que Será Será.
Now another thought that’s been tumbling around in my brain: seemingly you and I are connected by photography…seemingly. But after this experience I’m not so sure. I think that we are connected by something bigger than photography: Our humanity. Our kindness. Our commitment to being good people.
I guess this is where I’m supposed to say something like: I hope nothing like this ever happens to you. But you know what, part of me actually does because if you are lucky enough to have a near death experience, it will profoundly change your life.
Thanks for ALL of your emails. Thanks for your prayers. Thanks for your offer of meals. Thanks for just saying hello. Reading your emails was the only thing I did while in the hospital and they made me feel loved.
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Unluckily for me, a day after I was snake-bit, my new portfolio was released via LensWork Bonus Edition and I’ve not had a chance to promote it.
This is my tenth portfolio to be featured in LensWork, and I’m very proud of that. I told Brooks that this is the only accolade I aspire to.
If you’re a LensWork Online Subscriber, you can view it now. If you’re not, please consider subscribing. It’s absolutely amazing what you get for $59/year!
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There is so much content, it’s ridiculous! Learn more about LensWork Online. And if you love the printed image, then consider subscribing to the LensWork print edition, which is the finest printed publication on the planet. The reason I love LensWork is that it focuses on personally creative photography, and not the technical.
If you really want to help me to recover, please subscribe (smile). And no, I don’t get a referral fee, I just admire Brooks for all that he’s done for our type of photography.
So wonderful to hear that you are on the mend, and that this experience did not sour you, but instead brought about maybe something very positive. Many people feel that same thing. Keep up the healing, when the emails slow down do NOT think people don’t care, they have just move to a different place. You are still very important to each of us who follow photography and feel it is an art.
Hi Cole,
You certainly have been through a lot. I am so grateful that you are on the mend. I have thought about you every day since the snake bite and am so glad to have received an update, today.
I continue to send my healing thoughts and I look forward to more YouTubes with you and John.
Take care, Diane
So good to read that you are on the mend! Your hand looks great compared to how it looked last week. While I’ve never had a near death experience, I can’t imagine just how much it could change someone. I think it would me. Looking forward to hearing the new Cole on The Cole and John Show. Keep taking it easy and resting. You’ll be back before you know it. That ‘ol snake can’t take your vision away from you!
Your hand looks amazing now! I look forward to seeing how your Vision transforms (or not). Thank you for sharing your experiences. Thank you, Dyan, for being there that day! We can all use more kindness…and tears.
Thanks so much for the good news update. I think I will skip the near death experience and work on being kinder…I am well on my way.
Sending healing thoughts for a full recovery and for many photography days ahead.
Cole, I sent you a get-well greeting in the mail the old-fashioned way…I excluded a thought from that card I will now share…After first reading of your mishap I immediately thought of The Ghosts of Auschwitz and The Angel Gabriel…how fate plays such a large role in our lives (had Gabriel not been on the pier that day…had you been able to leave your camera gear on the tour bus…). I believe circumstances of chance are often divine intervention to steer us to greater, more meaningful purpose. Certainly, the two works above have had much greater impact than the act of capturing photographic images. You have an amazing outlook and attitude. I can’t wait to see the new creativity and impact coming from Cole Thompson as a result of this act of fate…Get well soon, my friend!
Cole, I am so happy you are doing better. I pray you will have a quick recovery so you can bring us your wonderful new photographic insights.
So sorry to hear of your snake bite but so glad you are on the road to recovery. I’ve been following your work for several years. I so admire your photography and LensWork Magazine. Prayers for your continued recovery.
How could it change your vision? Maybe you will take pictures of people doing random acts of kindness. Or happy pictures. People smiling. Good stuff. Lots of good stuff. Why not? There isn’t enough these days.
I’m so glad you are doing so well – and that your hand is healing. Even more so, I appreciate your comments about improving as human beings (yourself, personally, with the urging that we all do the same).
I frequently listen to Here’s a Thought; you’ve inspired me to subscribe. I’ll probably choose the print edition. I like being able to hold the art in my hand.
Wishing you continued healing of body and spirit.
Cole, I survived a widowmaker heart attack on May 5th. And I was rehospitalized on May 26th because of a misdiagnosis of high blood pressure and medication. I nearly died from the medication. I fully understand and appreciate your comments about how you felt after your “near-death ” experience.
Hello Cole,
I have not ever contacted you personally before, but this event has touched me. I am so appreciative of your insight. I had a similar experience re a simple act of human kindness that surprise me. I was driving in a crowded street and the car in front of me needed to get in my lane so they could turn right. I held back to give them room to maneuver. The person in the passenger seat waved to me a Thank you. And I burst into tears. I was immediately touched by this simple act of human kindness. Since then I have wondered why I had this reaction to an event that I’ve encountered many time. And I think I was reminded that, as you say, we are all connected by our common humanity and this was a symbol of that understanding. We are not at all separate from each other. Thank you for you openness.
That is me now!
Oh Cole! Your hand now looks like a hand!!! Amaze amaze amaze and wonderful!
Hang in there, it all gets better with time and your body healing. FYI, after my brain surgery I see life in a different way. I appreciate my family and my health much more than before. You will have a different outlook on life but it will not change who you are as a person, your beliefs, etc. Get well soon.
Hi Cole,
Your hand is looking amazing! The improvement is astounding. I am a member of the Alameda Photographic Society and have not met you, however I must admit that when I saw the first picture of your hand I was quite concerned. I’ve been thinking about you daily so I was thrilled to hear that you are doing better. Hopefully you will be up and about before too long and can get out with your camera again. I perused some of your pictures and really like your photographic style. I love your uncluttered style that emphasizes contrast, lines, shapes, and light. You have a great eye and produce beautiful photographs. Take care and I hope you get well soon.
I’m so happy to hear that you’re improving. I always look forward to your emails and I always enjoyed your s amazing photos. I particularly enjoyed the “before” and”after” images from a recent email. When I look at them I become to think that maybe some is my images have potential that I didn’t recognize. Have your every thought of posting some hints can about your editing techniques? I would read them with enthusiasm.
I will download your issue from Lenwork. I am already a member.
Cole,
I had no idea you were bitten by a snake. I am so very glad you are recovering. I think you will be changed and that change will show up in your work. How could it not? Everything we are shows up in our work! Yes, I think we are connected by more than photography. I also think that we as a society and a country are losing that connection to Nature, to kindness, compassion, to ourselves and each other. So sad when young people talk to Chatbots and AI about their deepest feelings and to no one human who may feel the same or offer connection.
I don’t know what support I can offer only to say that I am here and sending love, light and healing to you in that spirit and energy that connects us all.
Please keep me and all of us who care about you, appraised of your healing. Take care of yourself. Clearly, from your words, the Universe has given you something here, despite the horror it has been. Keep healing and I’m sure it will be revealed.
Cole, i’m very glad you’re on the mend! I can relate to your NDE, as I fell off a roof December 2023. I was home alone. When I came to I was in the EMS wagon headed to the trauma center. They wanted to fuse my neck. I said NO. In a neck brace for 3-1/2 months. Fast forward to August and I was bicycle racing in Steamboat. It changed my outlook on life. Love the people around you, and don’t postpone JOY!
Cole,
Happy you are on the road to recovery. I bet you will look down more when outside. 🙂
As we age most of us will experience health difficulties that we did not expect. It does change ones outlook on life. Just happy to have more good days.
Congratulations on your portfolio release. Looks awesome.
Keep fighting for good health and continuing recovery. Look forward to seeing more updates.
Thank you for your report! Thank you for being kind and caring; I’ll never forget our conversations in the Faroe Islands.
I look forward to Oregon next fall and to seeing you at Out of Chicago Live.
I am very happy for you to hear that you are home again and slowly getting better! This news made my day!
And I agree, we are not (only) connected through photography, but even more so through kindness and humanity.
I wish you a continued and steady recovery going forward.
Take care,
Stefan