I apologize for this note taking so long to get to you all who have been on my journey with me so far. I feel like it is time for me to give some long-overdue kudos to important people in my life, my nurses.

I have been on a special and complicated, as my doctors would say, journey of receiving a liver transplant for many years. I had NASH, and I am still a very active patient at Mayo, so I continue to meet new nurses and make many new acquaintances. I have been lucky enough to have each of you join me on a truly crazy life adventure.

It is too hard for me to name all the individuals I would like to give praise to, so I want to recognize you all. After being on the liver transplant list for almost three years and being unwell for several years prior, I was fortunate enough to get the call in October of 2023.

That call saved my life. Not only am I forever grateful and thankful for my donor, their family, the specialists, and the doctors at Mayo who saved my life, but I am also very thankful to all the nurses who have been with me through the rougher parts.

I have been to Mayo quite a bit, and for sure more than usual, with major side effects, procedures, and other organ issues. I have gotten to know several of you very well and consider you lifelong friends. From all of you on the 5th floor, day and night nurses, clinic nurses, procedure nurses, and, well, need I go on, I truly mean all of you.

The words “thank you” are a simple phrase that means so much. I want to give my sincere thank you to all of you, some mentioned here and some not, but I want to emphasize that I truly mean all of you.

I will remember each of you, I promise. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of the huge impact you had, have, and will continue to have in my life’s puzzle. You have all had an important role in guiding me on my miraculous journey.

How fortunate I am to be a result of your caring hearts and capable hands. Every time I see one of you shine and smile, whether it was walking into my room, in the care areas, or simply passing by and referring to me by name, a few words come to mind: professionalism, compassion, encouragement, knowledge, comfort, reassurance, attention, positivity, respectfulness, kindness, and advocacy.

I had a true connection with each of you, some for a short time and some for the duration. Although you may have forgotten me, I will never forget you. I have pictures with most of you that are in my journey journal, and I look at it often.

The deep conversations and connections we had meant, and still mean, the world to me. The walks in the halls in the middle of the night, you knew I was in pain, but I was too stubborn to admit it. The kind compliments on how good I looked, when we all knew, especially you, that I was not in my finest hours.

You answered all my never-ending questions and gently offered ideas for my comfort. I would sometimes look at you like you were crazy, and yet you proved, over and over again, that you were right.

Although you may not realize it, you are still very much a part of my lifeline that keeps me going every day. I will never forget the difference you have made in my life. You truly made a difference.

It has been one of my life’s greatest privileges to meet all of you. Although I wish it had been under different circumstances, I am grateful that everything is working out just fine, and I am enjoying my new “happy.”

The care I received cannot be fully described unless you have lived it, and I have. When someone says, “Mayo is the best,” they are not kidding. I know that to be a fact, just ask me.

Mayo should be honored to have you as part of their family. The above-and-beyond attitude, attention to detail, dedication of all staff, and excellence in patient care are truly top-notch. Teamwork makes the dream work at Mayo, without a doubt.

You have each made a true difference. Thank you also for not only taking care of me, but for watching over my husband, who spent so much time in the room with me. You always asked how you could help him be more comfortable, especially sleeping in those lovely loungers; you all know exactly what I mean.

So once again, I say those simple words one last time, thank you, and you made a difference. I apologize for being repetitive, but you were a huge part of changing my life.

Maybe I will see you around sometime. Some of you, I know, I will.

And so, my journey continues. Wish me luck.