One Breath At a Time

The craziness of my life continues. Not that I should ever expect it to be any different. 

But the last two years, everything has changed. I’ve cut so much out of my life. I’ve said, “No.” A lot. And yet I find myself busy and feeling like the hamster in the wheel.

Ever since we moved to Montana last August, life has been a whirlwind. I’ve written three full-length books in that time, and one novella. I had a nasty bout with a terrible little thing called C-diff. (And it took me a good long while to trust food prepared by anyone else… TMI, I know. But it’s honest.) Then in February, I got sick with the crud. Everyone else in our beautiful valley had some form of it in December and January and I was feeling quite confident I had deflected the beast. Until it hit. I went to the doctor.

Let me just tell you, when a doctor says, “open you mouth and say ‘ah'” and you do and they respond by saying, “oh my!” and their little medical intern in the room goes, “Ew!” – that’s not normal. According to the mallampati scale (which is a lovely little scale they use to assess your airway) – I’m a IV. Which is the worst. And my sweet doctor said, “I’d give you a higher number on the scale… if there was one.” 

Bring back memories of Jeremy’s phrase, “If something’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen to Kim.”

It was during this time that I also found out that my lungs have scarring from the whooping cough I caught in 2017 (which brought back wonderful memories of going to meetings at Bethany House while I was recovering [but the cough lasts for-e-ver…] and I coughed my head off in front of all those beautiful people… To Dave and Dave… I still smack myself in the forehead every time I remember coughing and coughing… and coughing some more – so embarrassing. If I ever get invited back, it will be a miracle.) Anyway, I digress. Whooping Cough wasn’t bad enough all by its little 100+ day self, it just had to give me asthma. For all those times I just thought I was out of breath because I’m middle-aged and *ahem* “fluffy”–came a resounding scolding from my doctor who had to teach me about asthma. I had no idea. Our son had asthma. And yet, since I didn’t hear it – the way I could hear it in Josh, I really was clueless. I just kept going. Full-speed ahead. Like I tend to do. 🙂 

Then came the really fun part… the whooping cough apparently also damaged my soft palate. And I’m getting older. (Yikes, that is not a fun one to say. It was hard enough to say I’m “middle-aged.” Isn’t that reserved for like… eighty-year-olds?) Anyway, my soft palate started to get tired. And it sagged. All that to say, my airway was being shut off at night. I went about two to three months without going into REM sleep. At all. My oxygen sats were really low at night. I was sooooooooooooooooo tired. All the time. Even right after I woke up. So life threw another curve ball.

All that to say – for those of you who may not know all the ins and outs of the last few months with me, here it is in a nutshell: It’s a beautiful thing to breathe. 

I’m doing amazingly well. In fact, my respiratory therapist told me just yesterday that I should get a gold star because I’m responding so well to treatment. He said I should feel like the Energizer Bunny soon. <grin> The new regimen I’m on for my asthma is also making me feel stronger. My new NordicTrack Free-Stride Trainer and I have a daily appointment–we’re best buds. One day at a time, one breath at time. 

Through it all, God is SO good. I’m thankful I got sick in February – because through it, I’m healthy again. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to go to CFRR (Christian Fiction Readers Retreat) and be refreshed by all the wonderful people there. And then Becca Whitham and I took off on a cross-country, crazy-drive-research-trip. It was wonderful. Even if my amazing friend had to watch a few too many asthma attacks along the way. But man, did we have fun.

Today, I just wanted to remind you to be thankful for every little thing. Every little breath. So many times, we take it for granted.

It’s a wonder what a little oxygen can do. 🙂 I have so many story ideas and creative juices flowing that I’m excited about everything that is to come… God is so amazing.

And at the beginning of this month, my latest book, THE GOLDEN BRIDE (Buy it here!   or here! ) released. It’s been incredible to hear from so many readers that say it’s their favorite so far and that it’s touched their life. I’d love to hear from if you’ve read it, and please, please, please, help spread the word about it. 

Hugs and love to you all. I know I’m behind in all my email and correspondence, but please know that I still love to hear from you! I’ll get caught up… eventually. 

One breath at a time.

 

Kimberley

Comments 16

  1. Perfect timing. I was feeling overwhelmed by the same problems plus crest scleroderma and arthritis and fibromyalgia. Living in Montana is a real joy but can also be a trial. Welcome to a place graced by God. Hope you are recovering well. You gave me a real boost by your email and it is always easier to take that next breathe when not alone. Bless you and your books.

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  2. Wow! You’ve been through a lot! Really glad you’re feeling better. I read The Golden Bride and loved it! The entire series has been wonderful! Praying you continue to heal.

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  4. Wow! Hopefully this next year will be better but I appreciate your commitment to writing. I loved The Golden Bride and look forward to reading more of your books.
    God bless you!

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  5. Kim…I feel ya, girl! I feel like I have been sick on and off so much within the last year and a half and I have figured out that I probably need a sleep study for I fear I have sleep apnea. I am so glad you are feeling better. I think often we get so used to feeling bad…we don’t remember what feeling healthy feels like. But God does not want us to feel that way and often He finds ways for us to examine ourselves to be the temple that He desires us to be. And aren’t we so grateful for good doctors that He sends our way to help us in this journey? And like you said…to be thankful for the things we take for granted everyday. And I am so grateful for good friends, like you, that we can share this life journey with! Prayers continue for you, my friend. Love and hugs. ~Lena~

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  6. Oh my Kim! I knew you were bad sick but not about all that. 😢 I’m so thankful you are so much better! I’m praying for you!

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  7. I’m guessing you now are the proud owner of a cpap? Jack had two and they made a big difference in the quality of his sleep and blood pressure. I currently have the crud as I await the 11th of May. Can you believe it has been a year?! I’m reading a book recommendation by Kayla and getting a lot out of it considering my singleness and friendships. Zack will be ordained on June 30th. I miss our every year or two or three visits so when you are down here please let me know and I’ll meet you for coffee or a meal! Love to the family, Kelley O

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      Kelley – yes, I have acute obstructive sleep apnea. Yay. LOL. But I’m doing great and responding incredibly to the therapy. Now if this whole asthma thing would just get in check… 🙂 God knows. I miss you tons, my friend.

  8. Wow, sorry to hear about all you’ve been through! Now I feel bad we made you laugh so hard at CFRR! (Although it WAS fun wasn’t it??) I’m glad to hear that you’ve found treatment that’s been helpful at least. I’ll be praying for you! <3

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