I had a nice interview lined up for a job for a game designer position in the bay area. I had been recommended, so I was to speak directly to the CEO and creative director. The morning of the interview I had some slight discomfort in my stomach that I dismissed as butterflies.

Then, 30 minutes before the interview, the pain began. A deep, intestines-twisting pain accompanied with a heavy sweat. I tried politely to ask the receptionist if we could reschedule somehow. She told me that it would be impossible, the CEO and others had set this time aside specifically for me. I decided that I had no choice but to somehow tough it out. I really, really wanted this job.

The interview began with a full tour of the office, going directly to the interview with the creative director. I tried to remain as enthusiastic as possible until I could take no more: it felt like I was dying and that I needed to go to the hospital. I apologized profusely to the man, who appeared angry at the inconvenience of interviewing a dying man, and limped my way out the the building and down a few blocks.

My wife, fortunately, worked in one of the buildings nearby. I called her, and she rushed out into the city to meet me just as I collapsed from the pain. An ambulance was called and we rode to the hospital.

The cause of the pain: several kidney stones, which can cause a sudden and immense pain comparable to childbirth.

I didn't get the job. I sent a professional and apologetic email explaining what had happened. The CEO and Creative director were not willing to see me again and instead gave me a phone interview with a recruiter. When my old boss (who had recommended me) contacted them to try and see why, they told him that they felt that 'I had not been enthusiastic enough.'