A man in Tempe, Arizona, recorded an emotional video right after waking up following his fifth collapsed lung surgery. This year-long series of hospitalizations has left the man struggling to fully enjoy life, but he is not willing to let himself be defined by it.
The man in question is Phoenix Phillips. He has been posting on TikTok recently about how he is set on changing his life in many ways. His journey, however, was cut short after he suffered yet another lung collapse, with the aforementioned clip garnering 293,100 views, 47,300 likes, and close to 6,000 comments.
The Arizona man recorded himself from a hospital bed. He was recovering from his fifth collapsed lung surgery in a year, which occurred on Tuesday, May 12. According to him, he was at the lowest point in his life, as he also shared that he had a second chest tube placed in just a week.
“I’m broke, I have no job, and I’m a college dropout,” Phoenix said.
Multiple Hospitalizations
In a GoFundMe that he himself set up, he said that his medical issues started during a “terrifying medical emergency.” Since then, he has been hospitalized multiple times and has undergone multiple surgeries and procedures. In the comments, he explained he has never smoked or vaped, and said that he was born with “lung blisters” that cause the collapses.
In the video, however, he made it clear he was sure he would make it. His motivation, in his own words, was that he was going to “find a way to get rich” to pay his parents back for all of his hospitalizations.
“I’m gonna buy my dream car, and I’m gonna become unrecognizable and live my dream life,” the Arizona man added. “I have no idea how I’m going to do it or when it’s going to happen, but I promise that I will.”
Internet Supports Phoenix
The video sparked multiple responses.
Some users empathized with Phoenix, and some even shared the same medical issues. One viewer commented, “As someone who has had multiple pneumotoraxes, I understand how this feels. […] You have strength and determination, you will make it.” Another one said, “I’ve also had a pneumothorax. Wishing you all the best.”
Other viewers thought that the Arizona man might have his priorities mixed. One person wrote, “Rich isn’t the goal, health is. Focus on your recovery and keep strong.” Phoenix responded, “Health first, rich second.” Another person added, “They walk hand in hand. Health is wealth.”
Thinking people might not believe that he will be able to bounce back, all Phoenix said was, “Watch me.”
