2024 12 months In Assessment – Kristin Sterk
This yr has been full of many ups and downs, however they’re simply circumstantial ups and downs. What we now have skilled is God’s considerable faithfulness in each season of life. Abundance that goes past circumstantial abundance, however one which is stuffed with God’s goodness, miracles, and presence. As I used to be wanting again at this yr’s footage, I couldn’t assist however begin crying. Among the ache feels so recent but, HIS MERCIES HAVE BEEN NEW EVERY MORNING. There have been days when it felt like my life revolved round naps, medicines, and anti-nausea meds, however God has introduced a lot therapeutic to our household. It’s surreal to suppose what God has led us by means of, however like I stated, God has held to His guarantees. My coronary heart and flesh could fail, however God is the power of my coronary heart and portion perpetually.
We began 2024 off with a BANG! I used to be admitted to Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids for my bone marrow transplant on January 4, with many appointments main as much as this admission. It was an emotional day, saying goodbye to Mazy for an unknown period of time. Additionally realizing I’d be given a number of the most nasty chemo on the market, but be given the prospect of a remedy due to my donor. Such a mixture of feelings!
My niece, Addison, made me this image to take with me to the hospital and it’s one which I nonetheless have in my bed room to this present day!
Since I’d be within the hospital for weeks, Mazy fittingly made an ivy string to embellish my IV pole and a bead counter to assist me hold monitor of what number of laps I walked across the bone marrow transplant flooring. It was so laborious to be away from her, however I knew I needed to struggle as laborious as I may in order that I COULD come again dwelling.
On January 10, I acquired my bone marrow transplant! They are saying it’s like being given the present of life as a result of with out it, after the chemo I went by means of, I’d not survive. Additionally, it was my final possibility for a remedy from my AML, in any other case I’d’ve been on chemo for the remainder of my life. I can’t wait to share extra about my donor sometime, and Lord-willing, sometime we will meet her! We nonetheless have no idea her title or many particulars, however nonetheless write forwards and backwards, once we can. It was extremely surreal watching these cells get transferred from the bag by means of my IV, into my physique. Dan recorded a video, the place you’ll be able to see the precise cells – hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of them.
It was just a little nerve-wracking as a result of for those who stay in Michigan, it’s possible you’ll keep in mind we had a blizzard and so they weren’t positive they might have the ability to get the cells to me in time. After these cells took some very lengthy flights, they lastly made their method to my room. We even celebrated with cupcakes – transplant day is called your new “birthday”, so I additionally now have a birthday on January 10 as properly!
After just a few weeks of being within the hospital, someday I brushed my hair and began to get clumps. I knew that was the day I used to be able to have my head shaved. No tears fell, simply gratitude that my nurse tech was keen to do that for me. Since then, my hair (or lack there of) has been a reminder of the place God has taken me, however as I see it slowly develop again, it jogs my memory of the expansion he has dropped at my life too. I DEFINITELY miss my lengthy blonde hair, and my hair is certainly WAY darker, nevertheless it’s okay – it’s coming again so properly and I’m simply grateful to virtually be a full yr put up transplant!
As a consequence of therapeutic from my BMT, I used to be unable to go on spring break with Dan and Mazy, and our associates, to Georgia, however this additionally created an incredible alternative for some daddy/daughter time! I additionally ended up having main coronary heart points and needed to get cardioverted (shocked) after they have been gone, as my coronary heart went into an atrial flutter. Due to my mother who introduced me to the hospital Easter morning!
I FINALLY made it to day 100 mid-April! It appeared like that point was by no means going to return, however I made it. I used to be additionally in a position to cease my at-home magnesium IV, which I used to be SO able to be completed with, and although I nonetheless needed to be very cautious about residing life exterior the partitions of our dwelling, it felt like I reached a significant milestone, CANCER FREE.
The most effective place to be was the outside and what an extremely delicate winter/spring we had! I spent SO a lot time exterior, since indoors wasn’t one of the best place for me, however God gave me the proper present of gorgeous climate this yr! I had fairly extreme neuropathy early on, so typically simply sitting within the solar was all I may do, nevertheless it was so refreshing!
Final day of third grade for Mazy!
How is that this candy woman 9 already? Couldn’t love this woman extra!
Dan and Mazy are someday as much as no good…they stated the leaf blower was clogged, so I attempted to “repair” it, and POOF, was doused with flour :). Thoughts you, this was shortly earlier than we needed to go to church. These two…
We have been blessed with every week away at a buddy’s cottage in June! It was the identical place the place we took time to course of shedding our twins again in 2012. Our dream then was to take them on that lake to go fishing, however as an alternative all we had was an image body to remind us of them. Twelve years later, on that very same lake, we took Mazy and she or he caught the largest fish of her life. It makes me cry simply typing this – a reminder of God’s faithfulness in grief and style. He set that fish up only for her (and us) to remind us that he by no means forgets too.
In July, Mazy and I went on our now annual journey as much as Mackinaw Metropolis and Island! We LOVE it up there and had one of the best time collectively! Every time we go, we by no means need to go dwelling, nevertheless it reminds us that we at all times have subsequent yr.
We celebrated my dad or mum’s fiftieth anniversary this summer time! What a present it has been to witness my dad or mum’s marriage and the instance they set for us all. My dad was additionally recognized with ALS this yr, which has been very tough for our household. It’s such a nasty illness and so tough to observe your dad and mother undergo this. It’s a debilitating illness, however we belief in God’s unfailing love and belief that he’ll present what he wants for every day. Please proceed to wish for my dad and mother as they stroll this journey.
In October, the farm my uncle and pop constructed, burned. My cousin has since taken over the farm, nevertheless it was an emotional day as we watched a lot laborious work, livelihoods, and recollections go up in flames.
Dan helped coach Mazy’s rec soccer crew this yr!
Tenting on the Convention Grounds in June and for Fall Fest was so superb as at all times – I usually say that the CG is a slice of heaven right here on earth.
Dan and Mazy again at it within the searching blind! No luck this yr although…
That is our golden, Maggie, who brings a lot laughter, pleasure, and hair to our family!
After I was recognized with most cancers the primary time, Mazy made a “sword” that claims “FIGHT THIS CANCER”. We discovered it just a few weeks in the past and we’re simply so humbled that up to now, God has saved my most cancers away after my BMT. Everybody wants a sword like this!
The Successful At House Daddy/Daughter Dance is one thing these two at all times stay up for.
Due to our buddy Sydney for taking our household footage this yr! It’t nonetheless surreal to have a look at myself with such brief hair, however I’ll admit it’s rising on me…
Why not add another coronary heart process to shut out the yr 2024? I had an ablation at U of M on December 10. It didn’t go in addition to we had hoped, however hopefully it’ll suffice for awhile. We’re simply grateful for the world-renown surgeon that I’ve at U of M. I’m a fancy case and regardless that typically the drive appears far, in all actuality, it’s so shut.
This was one of many largest presents this yr – with the ability to rejoice Christmas and go to ALL the events this yr! One thing I attempted to by no means take with no consideration, realizing the previous 2 years have appeared so completely different. No having to prep our hearts and minds to be separated for most cancers remedies. We may simply be collectively.
If I’m being utterly sincere, the flip of the yr comes with some hesitation, not realizing what God has in retailer. The flip of the calendar checks my religion. Every year for every of us, brings on it’s personal challenges. However God has the present of a brand new yr, all wrapped up for me to unwrap and after I give it some thought that method, it will get me excited. All these blessings able to be revealed for the following 12 months. And sure, EACH DAY has blessings – and I get the chance to see them every single day, regardless of what God permits.
I don’t know what ideas of the previous yr deliver or what the concept of the brand new yr brings for you, however could all of us have the ability to see the numerous blessings He has given us. These footage are only a SMALL sampling of the goodness He has undeservedly given us. Might all of us take time to replicate, scroll by means of our telephones or image albums, to replicate. Possibly even do it as a household! Give all of the glory and honor to Him as you have a look again and anticipate what’s to return.
