My 2 Years in Mexico Anniversary!

Yesterday was my 2 year anniversary of coming to Mexico!

On August 20^th, 2009, I got on an air ambulance, hooked up to several IV medications, feeding tubes and in horrendous pain to come to Monterrey and undergo the experimental Ketamine Coma treatment… My very last hope for survival.

Yesterday on my 2 year Mexico ‘birthday’- I went OUT for the very first time in 5 years!!!—not to a hospital or doctors office—but for FOOD!!! With my Mom and my Mexican sister Cindel, her brother Alex, and her friends Aleyda, and Cabiria!!!

I had the most amazing time! I still can’t stop smiling! :)

I have been wanting to go out somewhere and see some of Monterrey for such a long time! Before yesterday I had only seen whatever there is to see between going from our apartment to Hospital San Jose… which isn’t much!

Yesterday morning, on my 2 year anniversary here, I really felt it was time to try and go somewhere. My mom said “Where would you want to go?” I told her I didn’t care, as long as I could go with somewhere with Cindel, who has become like a sister to me. A lot of the time, especially with young people, when things start going bad, friends distance themselves from your suffering. But not Cindel. I am blessed to have her as my sister and even more blessed to now get to share happy and fun times with her and her friends!

The next step was to call Dr. Cantu and ask him if it was ok to go out. He wanted to know “Who with? Where to? What about this? What about that?” I felt like I was playing ’20 Questions’ with him! It was kind of like talking to my father! and really, that is what he has become to me... my Mexican father :) I know he could tell this was really important to me. He agreed I could go, but than spoke with mom and gave her an extensive rundown of “the rules.” Basically I was to be treated like bubble girl. At the first sign of over-stimulation we would call it quits and need to come home.

Deal!

So we got ready to go out! After Mom helped me get dressed she wouldn't stop looking at me. I asked her why. She said, "Jess... you look...so... NORMAL!?!" Gee... Thanks Mom! haha. Actually, it's the best compliment I have ever received. :)

We took this picture as a joke for Dr. Cantu-- to tell him this is how we decided to transport me, Mexican style... in the back of a pick-up truck! The bumper sticker says, "I'm Special"... perfect! (By the way...we didn't actually go this way!) haha

My immune system is still very suppressed, so germs are a huge concern. But not to fear!! Aleyda came equipped with lysol, sanitization cloths and ex-germ spray to clean everything I was going to come in contact with—she even cleaned my menu, table, and silverware!! Everyone in the restaurant was staring at us like we were crazy, but that’s ok!

We went to an Italian restaurant called L’Anfora. It’s really pretty with a wooden stove in the center where you can watch while they cook the food. It also has a cave in the basement!

This was my first time ordering off of a menu in over 5 years! I couldn’t decide what to get! I wanted everything!!

I ended up ordering Penne alla Vodka! It was sooo delicious!!! We also got a few appetizers of Calamari, Eggplant, Octopus, Mushrooms in a red pepper sauce. Yummm!

This was a really special day for my mom and I, as it was our first time out together! I just kept looking over at her, watching her smiling at me. To see looks of happiness, joy and amazement replacing the looks of concern, sadness and worry on her face to me is worth more than anything in this world. She's the most amazing person, mother and best friend that I have and I am so happy that I am better and now she is better too!

They told them it was my birthday! The waiters sang the Mexican birthday song called “Las Mananitas” to me!

The song goes like this: Estas son las mañanitas, que cantaba el Rey David/ Hoy por ser día de tu santo, te las cantamos a ti/ Despierta, mi bien, despierta, mira que ya amaneció/ Ya los pajarillos cantan, la luna ya se metió.

Translation: This is the morning song that King David sang/ Because today is your day we're singing it for you/ Wake up, my dear, wake up, look it is already dawn/ The birds are already singing and the moon has set.

It’s funny and ironic that they sang this because I kept saying to everyone yesterday that somebody should pinch me and wake me up… because to be out, having this much fun and feeling this good, it must be a dream… I must still be asleep in the coma!

After dinner I still felt like I had some energy so we went to the nearby frozen yogurt place! It’s called Yummoramma and my mom is always going there to get me yogurt—probably about 3 times a week! They have 12 different flavors and tons of different toppings you can add! I tried every single one! The lady who works there came over to me and told me it was “nice to finally meet their best customer!”

Two years ago I would have rather died than continue to live being so sick and in horrific pain, unable to move my legs, tolerate lights or sounds, eat, or even be touched or hugged.

Today, I LOVE my life! I AM awake! I feel ALIVE again!

I am eternally grateful for the renewal of life that I have received here and I am so excited about the future…a future I was told by so many doctors that I would never have!

Our God is an AWESOME God!

Thank you Mom, Cindel, Aleyda, Cabiria and Alex for making this day so special for me. I love you guys!

In God’s amazing love,

Jessica

Special announcement! I have very big and exciting news to share soon! Plans are being made and as soon as I have more details I will let everyone know! It has been all of your support, love and prayers that have helped me get this far and I can't wait to share the next step of the journey with you all! So, Stay tuned!

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