Thank you to my mom for always helping me get comfortable, no matter how long it took. Thank you for helping me clean myself when I couldn't even wash my hair by myself. Thank you for holding me at my lows and allowing me to be frustrated. I'm so so thankful to have a mom like you; I couldn't ask for better.


Thank you to my dad for waking up multiple times a night to give me my pain meds. Thank you for always making me laugh even when I physically couldn't. I appreciate you working so hard to give me the opportunity for a better life. I'm so thankful for you. 


Thank you to my sister for always trying to help in any way you could. Thank you to all the times you managed to washed my face with a washcloth while I was laying down. You took such good care of me (and my skin). I could not be more grateful to have a sister like you.


Thank you to Dr.s A, B, and C for everything you've done for me. I've never met a group of people more well rounded, talented, and humble. Thank you Dr. Betz for being the first one to get my journey started over the phone, answering every question I had. I was so thankful to meet you in person; your energy is radiating. Thank you Dr. Antonacci for literally giving me a new body. Your work is beyond impressive and your humility is incredible. Thank you for handling my life and future with such grace; I will always be thankful for you. Thank you Dr. Cuddihy for closing me up so beautifully; my scars couldn't have come out better. Thank you for listening to all my worries and answering my questions with such poise. You're such a bright light, thank you for everything.


Thank you to Nurse Maddie for being a kind and familiar face throughout my whole journey. Thank you for handling my worries and fears (and my mom's) so gently. I also would like to thank you again for removing the glue on my incision, my skin is forever thankful. Thank you for your help reviewing this source and helping it reach new patients. You're an angel and it was such a pleasure to have had spent time with you. :)


Thank you to my sister's 4 pound service dog Coconut. Thank you for putting up with me constantly asking to pet you, it helped a lot in distracting me from my pain. It's hard to believe that such a perfect dog exists.


Thank you to my mom's friend Kevin who helped me so much in the early stages of my journey. You are so special and I'm incredibly thankful for what you do. Your guidance helped me throughout my entire trip and I have just been continually amazed by you.


Thank you to Nurse Gianna for making my days at Saint Peter's so bright. I'm so blessed to have been your patient on multiple nights. You took such good care of me, and I was always beyond excited when you came into my room. Your attention to detail in caring for me made me feel so safe. We need more people like you in this world. 


Thank you to Nurse Analyn for taking such good care of me on the early nights. Although I was completely out of it, I remember your caring voice and your sweet laugh that always made me feel better. I'm so thankful I got to see you again (when I wasn't completely out of it) before I left the hospital. 


Thank you to Alisa & Alyson from ILAB for making my pre & post rehab so peaceful. I'm so fortunate to have been coached by both of you. I'd like to thank Alisa for allowing me to call you at random and late times of the day when I was feeling anxious. Your words are so comforting and I'm so thankful that you put aside some of your time to help me feel comfortable.


Thank you to Dr. Chalikonda for being so patient when I was stressing about my drain tubes. I won't ever forget how you always respected and listened to my concerns. I also appreciate all the times you covered my eyes when you turned on the light, even if it was just for a second. 


Thank you to my new friend Tori (a scoli that's ~6 months ahead of me), who helped answer all of my questions. Thank you for being the person I (very desperately) needed. I feel so lucky to have had someone that I could rely on when I didn't know what to do. Thank you for helping me walk through this process.


Thank you to the rest of the nurses & doctors in the PICU, there are so many more people who made my recovery such a pleasant one. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me as I took little walks down the hall, and never hesitated to get me anything I needed. You guys are definitely the best unit in the entire hospital :)


Thank you to Jessie from the Ronald McDonald house, you are so positive and bright. You made our stay so peaceful and I could not be more thankful for your kindness and hospitality. You are so so sweet for going to the moon and back to make sure everyone was comfortable and happy, (even if I just wanted apple juice). Thank you for everything.


Thank you to the rest of the people involved & working in the Ronald McDonald house. I will be forever thankful for the peace you brought and my family and I. Although I wasn't there for a good portion of it, I can see the positive effects that it's had on my family. You better believe that I'll be involved in our local RMD house when I'm healed & better.


Thank you to the Diaz family back at home for watching our other dog Tua, and watering my plants while I was away. I was having so much anxiety about leaving my plants, so thank you so much for offering to take care of my plant babies.


Thank you to our neighbors and friends for making sure everything was ok at home. Thank you for saving our packages and mail from porch pirates. I'm very thankful that our house didn't look abandoned while we were gone. 


Thank you to my blood donors. I know I'll never know who you guys are, but you all definitely saved my life. I'll never forget the feeling of being so faint before my transfusions and how thankful I was when I felt ok again.


Thank you to Mindy from Physical Therapy for being so gentle and understanding during our session. Also, thanks for the ice chips, those made my day. 


Thank you to my grandparents, and extended family for checking in so much and sending me well wishes. I can't express how thankful I am to have such supportive people in my life.


Thank you to my friends who made the effort to always ask how I was doing, even if I didn't have enough energy to respond quickly. So thankful for you guys.