On day five, something changed.
Maria was sleeping when I noticed her left foot twitch.
Just a small movement. Barely noticeable. But definitely there.
I called for Dr. Reeves immediately.
She came in, ran tests, asked Maria to try moving different parts of her legs.
"Can you feel this?" she asked, pressing on Maria's calf.
"Yes. Oh God, yes, I can feel it."
"And this?"
"Yes!"
"Try to move your toes."
Maria's face scrunched in concentration. And slowly so slowly her toes moved.
Both of us started crying.
"The nerves are regenerating," Dr. Reeves said, smiling now. "This is excellent news. It means the surgery worked. You're going to need extensive physical therapy, and recovery will take months, but Ms. Santos you're going to walk again."
Maria grabbed my hand, squeezing hard. "I'm going to walk. Isabella, I'm going to walk."
"I know. I knew you would. You're too stubborn not to."
