Well, yesterday was the one year anniversary. Leena and I paid a visit to Dell Seton hospital... the place where the healing began. We took a few somber laps around the hallway of the ICU, stopping at my old room, 212. The first thing I noticed was the station on the wall facing the bed, where the paper towels, sanitary gloves, soaps, and other supplies were hung on the wall below the television. The second thing I noticed was that I had quickly turned my eyes away, because I didn't feel entirely comfortable at the sight in front of me. Then I took a quick breath and returned my gaze to my old bed, this time having prepared myself for it first: "I got this."

After getting the attention of the least busy-looking nurse we could find, we gave her the brief rundown of my story, and indicated I'd like to visit any of the staff who had helped me back to life. She let Paige (a social worker) and Logan (a nurse) know we were there, and told us she'd have them find us. After a bit more strolling, they indeed found us.

I remembered and recognized Logan immediately. He's the staff member who first let me know just how difficult my struggle was going to be. I appreciated that he didn't sugar coat it. "You were busted up pretty bad, Nathan. But remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint," I recall him saying.

Here I am at the end of that marathon. Thank you all so much for believing in me.