Grateful to Be Alive

Do unsettling truths bring harsh judgment? They do, but the price of denial is steep.

D.K. Sanz's story begins in the drug-infested New York City streets of Woodside, Queens, during the tumultuous HIV/AIDS pandemic of the Eighties and Nineties. It offers a glimpse into how a now often-overlooked pandemic impacted Sanz's nuclear family. From her earliest days, Sanz was the easily forgotten stranger, always a little out of sync with the rest of the world-a tough but naïve kid and aspiring writer. Her triumph over illness and addiction includes amusing anecdotes and nostalgic, heartwarming memories.

Deep-dive into Sanz's confessional self-sabotage, self-destruction, and the harrowing downward spiral she almost didn't survive. Her never-before-told story ranges from recklessness and impudence to empathy, forgiveness, and love.

This book discusses a specific person's experiences with drug overdose, HIV/AIDS, and mental health issues as a result of violence, abuse, and sexual assault. If necessary, please engage in self-care. The vulgar language is minimal but may offend those who prefer none at all.