Boston Marathon survivor's 'breakup' letter before amputation goes viral


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HOUSTON — A woman injured in the Boston Marathon bombing has gained national attention after posting a “breakup” letter to her leg she decided to amputate.

Rebekah DiMartino, 27, was among those injured at the finish line during the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013, according to NBC News. Doctors tried to salvage the Texas woman’s left leg, but after undergoing 17 operations, DiMartino made the decision to amputate her leg below the knee, according to The Boston Globe.

DiMartino posted a breakup note to her leg on her public Facebook page with a photo of her scarred limb bearing the words “It’s not you it’s me.”

“I'm sure it won't come as a shock to you when I say that we've grown apart,” DiMartino wrote in the letter. “The love that we once had has dwindled, and this relationship has become a real burden on my life. ... But as tough as it may be, I feel like our time together has come to an end. ... I feel like you are holding me back from really reaching my full potential. ... I think I need to start on the next leg of my journey. Go get yourself one last pedicure on me and enjoy it because tomorrow ... I will be cutting you out of my life for good.”

Monday, DiMartino underwent a successful below-the-knee amputation at the Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital in Houston, according to NBC News. Her optimism caught the attention of the nation; she was featured on the "Today Show" Tuesday and several media outlets covered her journey of recovery.

DiMartino has set a goal to run the next Boston Marathon on a new prosthesis, The Boston Globe said.

[Left leg we are breaking up! Tomorrow at 12:30 you will be cut off and I will be moving on with my life. It's been real though. 😜](https://instagram.com/p/vNZ4RtNajX/) A photo posted by Rebekah DiMartino (@rebekahbstrong) on

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Faith Heaton Jolley

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