So it's been a really long time. I know. But I'm ready to start again. Before I go into medical things, I just want to quickly say how grateful I am to have amazing friends who stuck with me. During Christmas break of 2008, my best friend, Loren, came to visit me in Cincinnati. She gave me a big hug as soon as she saw me, despite my new, hairless and round appearance. I remember having to ask her to help me stand up and she did it without making me feel embarrassed. And best of all, she asked me questions. Loren wasn't afraid of me. Her first question was "why do you have to walk up the stairs that way?". At the time, because of my atrophied body, I would literally grab hold of the railings and pull myself up step by step. And I explained this to her without shame because she was there with me and did not judge me because she was a true friend. But my transplant really did let me know who my real friends were. And to name a few: Angela, Briana, Jordan. These friends saw me at my worst, but treated me like I was normal.
So I had recovered for a year. Right after my 19th birthday, I got to take my Make-A-Wish trip to New York. And it was AMAZING. While there, I saw three musicals: Mary Poppins, Lion King, and (my favorite) Wicked. They arranged for me to go backstage before the shows for both Mary Poppins and Wicked. I got to stand on the stage of Mary Poppins and speak with the cast. For Wicked, I went backstage and met some of the cast and tried on a costume. That was a wonderful opportunity I wouldn't have had otherwise. Also, I went to the empire state building. The staff let me go to the very top (I didn't know there was more of a top than the observation deck, but there is!). Unfortunately, my trip was cut short because I needed to go back to Cincy for some more testing and treatment. But that's ok. I still had fun! Here are some pics from the trip! (I still look kinda transplant-y in these)
Trying on a coat and hat from Wicked (the Emerald City song).
Dad and I eating at the restaurant under the bridge in NYC.
