Tabitha’s transformation over the next three month was nothing short of miraculous. As promised the swelling went down, the bruising faded and once the stitches were removed there was no noticeable evidence of any surgical work having been done on her face, shoulder or throat. She wasn’t flawless but she looked absolutely natural and real and more youthful than her thirty five years. Tabitha had seen enough bad plastic surgeries on celebrities and others to know hers was close to perfect; however the miracle wasn’t in the physical appearance as that was to be expected it was in her entire demeanor. The heart and soul of Tina Kennard had been restored and brought back to life.

Tabitha continued her sessions with Emma and her speech therapy during the recovery period. Once the surgery was properly healed Bette released Tabitha medically to start her physical rehabilitation. Dusty worked with Tabitha on a daily regimen of physical therapy for her shoulder injury. Once Tabitha regained strength and full use of the left arm and shoulder she then moved on to establish a physical fitness regimen that included weights and aerobic exercises.

Swimming was a large part of the rehabilitation and with Dusty’s help and Bette’s encouragement Tabitha overcame her fear of water. She started slowly by paddling around in the shallow end of the swimming pool wearing floaters but soon gained enough confidence to venture into deeper water. Before long she was diving off the deep end and swimming the length of the Olympic sized pool.

One thing everyone learned quickly about Tabitha was that once she put her mind to something she easily conquered it. She not only learned to swim and dive, she became a certified scuba diver which was one of Bette’s favorite water sports along with jet skiing and deep sea fishing. Bette loved being on the water. Whenever things slowed down enough for her to take a break she would sometimes sail her boat to nearby Bora Bora or Raiatea with James, Emma, Dusty, Helena and other staff members. She didn’t take patients on these excursions but she hoped someday that Tabitha could join them as a friend.

Tabitha had lost a lot of weight since her diet for six months had consisted of mostly liquids and soft foods due to the jaw and throat injuries. Now she could eat steak if she so desired but being on the island and following Helena’s healthier cuisine of mostly seafood, fish, fruit and vegetables she gained back a healthy weight and worked on toning and sculpting her body. She was envious of Bette and Dusty’s physique and wanted to mold her body in the same way; tight and muscular but still maintaining their femininity. She lifted weights, ran on the beach and rode a bike around the property for added exercise.