The day of my surgery had come. I was terribly nervous, from the moment I awoke in the early morning until the very moment I was put to sleep by the anesthesia. As I was being wheeled to the operating room, I was thinking about how this operation was going to change everything for the next few months of my life. The last thing I remember feeling were the straps constrained around my body, tying me to the surgical table. The last thing I remember seeing were the surgeons and nurses preparing the instruments. I don’t remember my final thoughts before finally going unconscious. Almost instantly, I passed out with no recollection of doing so.

When I awoke and my surgery was finished, my first thought was, “Where am I?” I thought I was at home in my bed having a dream. My legs were sore. Was it from swimming practice? It seemed like a dream. But it wasn’t. This was the first time I was not vomiting from the anesthesia. What medicine did they give me that was so much better than the times before? I was relieved that it was finally over or was it just the beginning. One of the nurses noticed that I was finally awake and asked me if I needed anything. The first thing I asked for was my mom and dad. I was so delighted to see them and they were so overjoyed to see me. I had been under for 6 long hours. This could be frightening for parents and for me. But, I made it and I was safe. My dad gently hugged and held me... and then my mom hugged me, too. We were relieved that we put the surgery, the first step of this process, behind us.

I had many challenges after the surgery; my legs were in agony and it was unbearable to feel. I also had to deal with staying in a bed, I couldn’t get up or leave my room. I looked down at my legs and saw nothing; my legs were completely covered with my bed sheets. I was curious to see what the doctor had done but I had to wait. Not everything was miserable about my stay. There were actually a few things that turned out to be exceptional on my first day at the hospital. I was quite surprised. This hospital was actually run like a hotel. We had our personal concierge to serve us. I was the VIP guest but my family could make their requests as well. The food in the hospital was better than any other hospital food that I've ever had. The nurses that were assigned to me for the day, treated me sweetly and sympathetically. But, the greatest thing that happened on the first day was that my parents, sisters and grandparents were there with me.

On day two of my stay in the hospital, the pain started to gradually dwindle. I didn't know it then but, this day was going to be full of surprises. First, I received gifts and a balloon with each gift from the hospital gift shop. They were from my tutor Mrs. Carmen and her two kids Chloe and Noah and the second gift came from my mom’s grandma and grandpa. The next surprise was receiving a visit from two little black Miki dogs, Cassie and Kerri. They along with their owner come to the hospital almost everyday to volunteer to help bring a smile on the children's faces. Thirdly, I received my first therapy session. Ugh! All I have to say about that was that it was really hard. For a long while I had to move from my bed to the wheelchair.  My legs were giving me so much pain; it was so hard to get it right.  In the end I was finally able to sit myself on the wheelchair. The final surprise the hospital had up its sleeve were the meals they served me all day long. They were so appetizing that they tasted like meals straight from home!

The third and final day of my stay in the hospital was no different than the previous days, except for a few things. The wheelchair therapist did not come and I was actually  able to get the hang of the whole process of getting off the bed to the wheelchair, going to the bathroom, and getting back onto the bed. On this day, I was allowed to go outside  just for a short while to enjoy some fresh air and the great feeling of the warm sun. I was ecstatic! The only disappointing part about that day was that my grandma and grandpa had to return to Puerto Rico. I felt heart broken to see my grandparents leave but, I was warmed when they told me they'll always be with me in spirit. Today at least three dogs scampered in, a Border Collie named Belle, a Bloodhound named Jasper, and a Dutch Shepherd named Rogue. Like always their visits made me feel truly overjoyed. The last dinner that was served was like a meal fit for a queen. But the truth is, I was really excited for this day to end because the following day I was finally going to be discharged from the hospital and be able to return home.

Lots of special changes have taken place at home. My room was moved to the first floor. My dad built ramps for entrance to the main house and my room at the attached office house. They put a baby monitor in my room...yes a baby monitor. This is so I can call my parents at anytime and they can reach me in a moments notice in case I fall on the floor or if there is an emergency and I require their help. It’s difficult to be stuck in my house all day with hardly ever going out. It gets tiring just ‘sitting’ all day believe it or not. I can’t go swimming or walking like I use to. I am on my school swim team and I normally swim 2 hours, 3 times a week. This is a drastic change since the surgery. Day to day activities like eating, bathing, going to bed, and going to the bathroom now take a much longer time. Simple things are so frustrating! I am now sympathetic toward others who are wheelchair bound; I feel their experience to a small degree. Sadly, they won’t get the chance that I have; my situation is only temporary but theirs is for life. I will only  be bound to my wheelchair for another 3 months or so. For now, I am adjusting and eagerly anticipating the day that I will be able to walk again.

*My story will continue in my next publication.*