Superfit and healthy WA deckhand and aspiring big wave surfer Targe Hough was working out during his lunch hour 15 months ago when he collapsed and was found unconscious after suffering a migraine.
Comparing the sensation to being like a pimple popping inside his head, scans discovered Targe had ruptured a blood vessel in his brain due to an arteriovenous malformation – a condition that affects less than one per cent of the population.
Targe, 22, was rushed to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, where he spent three days in a coma, and three weeks hooked up to life support, before doctors asked his family to consider turning off the machine.
“I had a choice that I can’t remember making... I chose to stay and the very next day I opened my eyes,” he says. “I was definitely helped from God. People think I did all the work but it was a blessing that brought me back here.”
HEARTBREAKING CHOICE
His dad Graham says he made the heartbreaking decision to turn off the life support because doctors were concerned about Targe’s quality of life, and he knew his son would not want to live if he was brain-damaged.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ANNA SAMSON 'MURDER'S ALWAYS INTRIGUED ME'
We hit the set of the sunny spin-off to Death In Paradise and meet the cast!
5 minutes With...ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH
His No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series has a new instalment
Rolling the DICE
Hobart's iconic Wrest Point Hotel Casino is looking better than ever
UNDERSTANDING PALLIATIVE CARE
Quality of life is at the forefront of this approach
OUR TOWN'S A MOVIE STAR!
When Runt arrived in town, locals couldn't wait to play a part!
ANNA HEINRICH 'I LOVE BEING A GIRL MUM!'
The mum-of-two speaks with affection about her daughters
KEITH TELLS NICOLE I WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT LEADING MAN!'
He's sick of playing second fiddle to a string of hunky co-stars
GUY TAKES A STAND 'I WANT JESS BACK!
The Voice Australia gets an ultimatum from its number-one coach Guy Sebastian
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!
ED SHEERAN'S SHOCK FAMILY FEUD
He's often seen as one of the nicest guys in music, but Ed Sheeran's cousin has exposed their secret feud - and claimed that Ed has even made legal threats against him!
