That time has come. Tomorrow is the beginning of The Great Eviction, in which my invader and I will be separated. I am ready, packed, prepped, and armed with great ferocity and the single minded determination to overcome, outlast, and outwit my adversary and come back as unchanged as possible (except for the obligate scars, of course).
I’ve marked my level of optimism on my latest sampler. I haven’t mentioned progress in a while, but it quickly became my Emotional Support Embroidery after receiving my diagnosis last month. Not ironed, but as a WIP, it’s too early to think about doing that.
Yes, it’s still unfinished. I’ll do some more on it later today of course, but I won’t be done. That’s on purpose. I have every intention of future completion. And note the victory wreaths on the top as-yet-to-be-background-stitched strip. That strip is also deliberately placed skew to the centering of the rest of the sampler. My life has been tilted akilter, so this bit is, too.
I’d also like to everyone for the unexpected outpouring of support. I am overwhelmed by the vast number and generous sentiment of the comments here, on various social media platforms, and sent to me personally by direct message and email. I had no idea I had reached so many people around the globe. I am not a spiritual person, but I can say that if Providence can be petitioned, perhaps the wide ecumenical spread and volume of promised prayers in every major worldwide religion (and many of the less well known ones) will tilt the odds even more in my favor.
See you soon!
-Kim
String-Or-Nothing 
Best wishes on your surgery tomorrow. I hope all goes well and your road to recovery is smooth and fast. Sending blessing your way, Carlie
You deserve the outpouring of love and support, Kim! Your optimism and fight is inspiring, for sure. Wishing you all the positive outcomes possible!
All the best tomorrow. I’ll be thinking of you.
Best wishes for an uneventful surgery and speedy recovery, Kim!
Very best wishes for the surgery!
Wishing you the very best and totally successful day tomorrow!
Looking very much forward to seeing stiching herer again!
Gunilla, sticher in Sweden
Hi Kim,
All the best for tomorrow. I’ll be thinking about you.
Very best wishes, Chris
Chris Berry (Mrs)
Independent researcher and tutor,
English historical embroidery,
100 Cleveden Road,
Glasgow G120JT, UK.
Email:ccberry2@gmail.com
Website:www.tudorstitches.co.uk
Instagram:www.instagram.com/chrisemberry/
Very, very best wishes from Australia!
Good luck tomorrow. Take it from a survivor, you will get through it. You are a strong woman.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!
I saw this late because Gulf Wars, but hope all went well, and I’m looking forward to seeing more stitches.
Based on my own experience, having projects like this to work on is a wonderful distraction while dealing with all the shenanigans. Myself, I started knitting hats on circular needles, so I could put it down any time. Every so often a bunch get donated to the cancer center.
Which is my longwinded way of wishing you luck, and hoping all went well.
Dear Kim,
just a quick note to send best wishes to you regarding your tribulations. Apologies for the lateness. I am hoping all goes well for you and that you’re back to yourself as soon as possible. I am appreciative of your work and love looking at stitching your patterns.
(I am excited as I have ordered second hand a copy of TNCM from the US. Hope it arrives!)
lots of love to you and yours xxx
Christine McCourt (UK)
Thinking of you. I hope things went well
I’m about to get back to my black work project, which made me think of you. I hope that things are going well.