Jess McHugh (Host/Narrator)

Remember Natalie, the third musketeer from the Montana retreat, the clarinetist? Yeah, well, Natalie also stayed in touch with Sarah. In fact, right around the time that Dex was visiting the cemetery in Arlington, Natalie and Sarah were actually hanging out in person. A bunch of vets, including a few from the Montana retreat, gathered at a CrossFit gym in California to have a little competition.

Remember Natalie, the third musketeer from the Montana retreat, the clarinetist? Yeah, well, Natalie also stayed in touch with Sarah. In fact, right around the time that Dex was visiting the cemetery in Arlington, Natalie and Sarah were actually hanging out in person. A bunch of vets, including a few from the Montana retreat, gathered at a CrossFit gym in California to have a little competition.

Well, not so little. Even for Natalie, it was a lot.

Well, not so little. Even for Natalie, it was a lot.

Yeah, pretty insane. This was like an ultra marathon for weightlifters. They broke down into teams of two. Now, at this point, Natalie didn't know about Sarah's cancer. And this is because Sarah had never told her. She just confided this to Dex, which, as we've come to learn, is kind of how Sarah operated. She shared details about her life one-on-one in these small, private moments.

Yeah, pretty insane. This was like an ultra marathon for weightlifters. They broke down into teams of two. Now, at this point, Natalie didn't know about Sarah's cancer. And this is because Sarah had never told her. She just confided this to Dex, which, as we've come to learn, is kind of how Sarah operated. She shared details about her life one-on-one in these small, private moments.

And so the secrets remain compartmentalized. Natalie was aware that Sarah had some issue with her leg, but that was about all. Then, in the middle of the competition, during one of the breaks, they're all kind of just sitting around, resting. Natalie, her teammate. Sarah, her teammate.

And so the secrets remain compartmentalized. Natalie was aware that Sarah had some issue with her leg, but that was about all. Then, in the middle of the competition, during one of the breaks, they're all kind of just sitting around, resting. Natalie, her teammate. Sarah, her teammate.

Natalie is looking at Sarah's leg, and it's trembling.

Natalie is looking at Sarah's leg, and it's trembling.

And the proof was, Sarah's team then goes on to beat Natalie's team in the competition. And Natalie, she's in awe. The two women went to another retreat together not long after this. And it seemed like Sarah's leg was in bad shape.

And the proof was, Sarah's team then goes on to beat Natalie's team in the competition. And Natalie, she's in awe. The two women went to another retreat together not long after this. And it seemed like Sarah's leg was in bad shape.

Looking back, Natalie still recalls the intensity of this moment with Sarah. The tenseness of her hamstring, the tremors in her muscles, the pain on Sarah's face. It all seems so real. In the coming weeks, Natalie texted Sarah about the amputation to see if it had been scheduled. And Sarah eventually gave her a date, January 26th. The date sticks in Natalie's mind.

Looking back, Natalie still recalls the intensity of this moment with Sarah. The tenseness of her hamstring, the tremors in her muscles, the pain on Sarah's face. It all seems so real. In the coming weeks, Natalie texted Sarah about the amputation to see if it had been scheduled. And Sarah eventually gave her a date, January 26th. The date sticks in Natalie's mind.

She keeps thinking about it as it draws closer. And then, the night before the surgery, Natalie can't sleep. She just keeps thinking about Sarah.

She keeps thinking about it as it draws closer. And then, the night before the surgery, Natalie can't sleep. She just keeps thinking about Sarah.

I asked Natalie to read me that text.

I asked Natalie to read me that text.

The next day, Natalie shot Sarah another text to see how the surgery went. And Sarah explained they had to call off the amputation.

The next day, Natalie shot Sarah another text to see how the surgery went. And Sarah explained they had to call off the amputation.