Eleven months ago, I had my stomach removed. I went into my surgery as prepared as I could possibly be. I had months to process the reality of what I was facing, I had been in therapy, I was working with an energy healer, and I was meditating daily. I scoured the CDH1 Facebook group, made new online friends in different stages of recovery and made note of all of their tips and suggestions. I am a researcher by nature; I like to be prepared and in control. By the time I got to the National Institute of Health, I was at peace with my decision, and ready to be rid of this heaviness that had followed me for the whole year and had put my life on pause. November 7, 2019 was a rebirth of sorts – a second chance at a life that I didn’t even know was in danger of being cut short two years ago.