I finished my last dose of a year-long round of chemo on Oct 24. Hallelujah! I feel so grateful that my experience with chemo pales in comparison to many others'. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for an easy treatment!
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| THE last dose |
I'm getting my energy back and am praying about how to re-enter the job market in the new year. I had an interview with the company I believe to be my dream employer, but I trust the Lord to lead me to what is next. Whatever it is, I don't intend to "grind away" another day at a job that doesn't fulfill me or serve others. Life is too short.
In the meantime, I've been very busy celebrating the end of treatment. In mid October, my mom treated me to a long weekend in Chicago. We had the most amazing time! My brother was there for some business, so we got to meet up for a few meals (and bottles of wine!).
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| Gorgeous weekend in Chicago |
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| Gorgeous Mom and I at Public Hotel |
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| Me with Mom and Richard, my "medical dream team", who traveled to all of my surgeon interviews and out-of-state oncology meetings. At Hugo's |
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| Go Do Good |
Back in Atlanta, Tad and I celebrated with a long, lingering (childless) dinner out -- a rare treat for us. We splurged for appetizers AND dessert. It was a glowy-glittery-magical evening with my sweet love.
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| Reflecting on a year of blessings, craziness and healing |
I thought that was it in terms of celebrating my treatment's end, but no... In early November, my amazing siblings and parents surprised me with a weekend party at Mom & Dad's. Richard and Ksenia flew in from New York. Becky, Thinh and Joel drove down secretly. Banners, balloons, flowers, CAKE! Oh my! They really know how to show a girl some love.
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| No Mo' Chemo! signs |
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| To love me is to cake me |
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| If you weren't my family, I'd desperately want you as friends. |
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| The kids enjoyed feeding the horses almost as much as I did. |
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| Opening the cross necklace that I will wear forever |
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| Gramma & The Nguyens take Joel and Sydney to the museum while Tad and I have date night out! |
As much as I was honored that she wanted to do this, and wanted to be with the amazing women, I felt like I wasn't worthy of all the on-going attention and celebrating. It didn't seem "fair" to stay focused on me for so long. My jeans were calling for a time out with the extra indulgences; but my guilt went beyond my pinching waistband.
Then I read something in my morning devotion. From Jesus Calling, Nov 12 reads,
"This is a time of abundance in your life. Your cup runneth over with blessings. After plodding uphill for many weeks, you are now traipsing through lush meadows drenched in warm sunshine. I want you to enjoy to the full this time of ease and refreshment. I delight in providing it for you.
Sometimes My children hesitate to receive My good gifts with open hands. Feelings of false guilt creep in, telling them they don't deserve to be so richly blessed. This is nonsense-thinking, because no one deserves anything from Me. My kingdom is not about earning and deserving; it's about believing and receiving.
When a child of Mine balks at accepting My gifts, I am deeply grieved. When you receive My abundant blessings with a grateful heart, I rejoice. My pleasure in giving and your pleasure in receiving flow together in joyous harmony."
Wow. Powerful, huh? There was my answer.
So my sister beautifully organized an evening with my superstar girlie-ques. Many of these women were directly responsible for the success of Team Kim, raising over $16,000 for Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure.
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| Maghan & Mary Field |
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| Courtney & Aimee |
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| My amazing sister and I |
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| with Hyung Mi, Alice and Jamie |
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| Honored and blessed to have these amazing women as friends! |
I know there will be uncertainties ahead. While my treatments are done and my latest MRI is clear (Thank the Lord!), there's a good reason the docs will have me do quarterly MRIs for the rest of my life. But I don't worry about all of that. I just thank God for today and rejoice in His healing.
I better get back to my Thanksgiving preparations. I'm very excited that Tad's parents, his aunt Kaki, Becky, Thinh and Joel are coming to spend Thanksgiving with us.
God bless you all and Happy Thanksgiving!
Much love,
Kim
