The Southern California nurse says she’s recovering from a strange spinal cord injury she sustained while traveling to Costa Rice

The Southern California nurse who sustained a traumatic spinal cord injury during a trip to Costa Rica says she feels good about her chances of recovery.

Deanne Niedziela was crushed to death over Memorial Day weekend when a five-foot branch fell on her while she and her husband Ken Niedzela were out hiking.

Deanne, the chief of nursing at Providence Mission Hospital in Southern California, was welcomed home over the weekend.

When the woman arrived in Providence, dozens of staff members lined the corridor to express their love and support as she now takes on the task of recovery.

“I know I have a good team here and that my injuries…I’m confident I can work through them, at least to a point where I can come back,” Deanne called.

Deanne Niedziela, the Southern California nurse who suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury during a trip to Costa Rica, says she feels good about her chances of recovery

Niedziela was seriously injured after being hit by a falling branch while hiking with her husband in Costa Rica. The picture was taken a few minutes before the accident

“I know I have a good team here and that my injuries … I’m confident that I can overcome them, at least to the point where I can come back,” Deanne told ABC 7 Los Angeles

The couple were on a group outing to the La Paz Waterfall Gardens when a “big” branch snapped and fell about 100 feet, Ken said.

“Suddenly, I heard a tremendous noise,” her husband told ABC7. “It was like a thunderclap or a thunderclap.”

“This thing fell to the ground… was stunned for a moment.” What is that? And I looked over and I saw Deanne lying on the floor,” Ken continued.

“I was only a few feet behind her and somehow didn’t get hit,” he added.

In Costa Rica, Deanne underwent nine-hour surgery for her spinal injury.

A GoFundMe The initiative the nurse launched to bring her home from Costa Rica has raised more than $180,000 of the $250,000 goal.

The woman’s family said the air transportation alone was estimated at up to $100,000. This is in addition to other medical expenses.

In an update Saturday night, Deanne’s friends shared that she made it home after “a long day of ambulance rides and plane travel.”

Doctors at Providence Mission Hospital say they plan to treat Deanne for several weeks until she begins rehab for her traumatic injuries.

The nurse said she hopes and plans for a full recovery.

“Suddenly, I heard a tremendous noise,” her husband told ABC7. “It was like a thunderclap or a thunderclap.” Pictured: The branch that fell on Deanne

In an update Saturday night, Deanne’s friends shared that she made it home after “a long day of ambulance rides and plane travel.” Deanne with two colleagues

A GoFundMe started for Deanne has raised $180,000

“The influx of community from people I don’t even know and a lot of people I know was just tremendously overwhelming,” said Deanne

La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Vara Blanca, Costa Rica where Deanne was injured

According to ABC7, staff were able to coordinate Deanne’s return using funds raised through GoFundMe.

Her family hopes to use other money to send her to a rehab center in Colorado.

Meanwhile, Deanne told the outlet she’s grateful to be alive and to have a support system.

“The influx of community from people I don’t even know and a lot of people I know was just tremendously overwhelming,” she said.

Deanne has been the Head Nurse at the Spine & Neuroscience Institute in Laguna Beach for 30 years.