2022 became a year full of challenges and blessings for the Kimball clan. In May, our 90-year-old matriarch, Grandma Joan, suffered a stroke. It was moving to watch the family rally around her and care for her during her prolonged recovery and need for constant care. Her children, daughter-in-law, and grandkids spend many hours away from school and work to sit with her, read to her, and take her on rides in the car over the weeks before she was ultimately transitioned to assisted living. This would be the beginning of the Kimball’s challenges and an opportunity to seethe remarkable strength we provided to each other over the next six months. In June, after suffering for many years from severe back pain, our brother John underwent a high-level back fusion surgery that rallied the family again to support him during a long and complex recovery. Then in August, we were heartbroken by the news that our sister and beloved “Aunt Amy” was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. Again, the family rallied with nieces, nephews, and brothers flying to San Diego to support her during and after her bilateral mastectomy surgery. We are grateful that she is recovering with clean margins and good health. In the midst of this storm, a small and beautiful ray of sunshine was welcomed into the clan. Madeline Esther Kimball, after a 47-hour labor, came smiling into the world of Rebekah and Ted on October 8th. She has become a great source of joy to her brothers, sister, and cousins, who have gathered to support mom and care for her in the weeks that followed. Then, not to be outdone, Ted returned from Amy’s surgery in San Diego to a routine colonoscopy on November 18th, where a significant colon cancer was found. This was, again, an unexpected shock to the family. Without a pause, the family courageously rallied again to Ted’s side as he prepared for imminent surgery. The surgery was done in less than two weeks from diagnosis, thanks to his wonderful colleagues in the department of surgery. He underwent resection of the tumor and began to prepare for chemotherapy to begin after his recovery. On January 19th, feeling strong and well recovered, Ted had his first chemotherapy infusion to treat his stage 3 colon cancer. The treatments were going well until about 4 days remained in his first cycle when Ted became seriously ill from the treatment side effects and was rushed to the hospital delirious and severely dehydrated. It was later discovered that Ted has a DYPD variant gene that slows the metabolism of the specific chemotherapy that he was on. This meant that he was getting double the dose that he should have been receiving, and this led to these significant toxic effects. Ted has little remembrance of the next 7 days, but with Rebekah by his side and many family and friends in support, staying with him through long nights of confusion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as he sloughed most of the lining of his GI tract. Ted is home now and navigating a slow recovery from this episode, where he dropped a startling 36 lbs in two weeks.
During all of this, family and friends have stepped up in remarkable ways to bless Ted, Rebekah, and baby Esther. It would be impossible to describe in words the breadth and depth of kindness, service, prayers, and just pure goodness that has been showered upon us. The Kimball/Ellsworth Clan, first and foremost. To Grandma Patricia, our angel who sacrificed many hours of sleep to care for Esther, and Grandpa Sterling, who supported her. To Jesse, Ashley, and the girls, Laurice, Thomas, and Sarah. To my brother, John, and sister, Amy, words don’t suffice. You gave me strength when I had none and steered the ship when I was down and out. I cannot thank you enough. To Eli, Jake, Lilly, Abe, Siena, Lucy, and Ella. I love you deeply and ever remain Kimball Strong.
To the K/J (Kimball/Jensen) family, the years have bonded us as one clan. Our hearts are one, and you have surely proven this in these many days of devotion and care. We so love you.
We then have our two living angels, straight from heaven, landing in our backyard. Grandma Sue and Grandpa Dick Weir. You are our heroes in every sense of the word, rescuing us nearly every day with your love and goodness.
Then there is our “Rock,” the Yalecrest 2nd Ward Family!
This is a collection of neighbors and friends who worship together in the white building on Yalecrest and 1800 South. These are people who have endured nearly every challenge you could imagine and have become true disciples of Christ and miraculous angels in our lives. Morning, noon, and night you have been there with love and light in your eyes, giving and serving and helping us heal. Our hearts are brimming with love for you. Then so, so many friends who have rallied with prayers and food and service of every kind. We truly can not express in words how grateful we are to all of you. Thank you, thank you!