Tuesday, March 20, 2007 7:32 PM, CDT

Hello Everyone,
I’m doing well today. I’ve got my fanny pack! Which I must say can also be worn as a pocketbook if I’m so inclined. There’s nothing better than convertible accessories!
I have it slung over one shoulder and I keep thinking that it’s my pocketbook and wondering why I’m walking around with it. There’s a little pump in there that looks somewhat like a computer. I’m considering purchasing some sort of pocket book that I can put it in so I don’t look like such a freak!
When I look down at my pump on my left hip, I’m reminded of one of my least favorite winter break jobs: doing inventory for REGIS. Jen Quinlan, was that the worst or what??? We had computers that would hang from our shoulders and would rest on our hips. The seasoned professional inventory specialists would look down their noses at us stupid college kids who only worked there for a few weeks. You see, we had to actually look at our computers as we entered data, the pros could just type without looking. Big whoop! The only thing that would make my image of an inventory specialist complete is the beautiful blue smock I wore every day to work.
The only winter break job that was worse than REGIS was when I worked in my Dad’s metal stamping shop. Yes, I worked in a metal stamping shop. My Dad does the best impression of me doing one of my projects. Apparently, I was a bit too girl-y for the shop working stint. Next time you see him, ask him to do his impression for you because I swear it is dead on accurate!
The one thing I liked about my metal stamping gig was working the drill press with my cousin Tim. We laughed all morning long. If it hadn’t been for him, I would have quit that job in about three days. Thankfully winter break is short.
My neuropathy is driving me crazy this time. I am literally on pins and needles constantly. If my feet or fingers aren’t completely warm, they’re painfully riddled with pins and needles and a strange numbness. I almost can’t bend my fingers when they get too cold. I have to run them under warm water to make them feel better. This cold weather is not helping me. I’m looking forward to the weather getting warmer later this week. I’ve tried to convince Greg that I need to temporarily move to my parent’s place in Florida. You know, just until the weather gets a little warmer. I don’t think he’s going for it though. I’m trying to convince him it would be a convalescence kind of thing and not a vacation kind of thing. He reminds me that I have to keep getting my treatments in Worcester so I guess I’ll try to eke a long weekend out of him at the very least!
I go back to Dr. Walsh’s tomorrow to get my port de-accessed and give my pump back. Then I go back for blood work on Monday. I’m scheduled for more chemo on April 2 and have my
first CTcheck up on April 9. That will be a big day for me! I’m so hoping we’re on the right track. I do have to say that my supraclavicular fossa lymph node has gone down and my cough has improved immensely. I can even take a nice deep breath without coughing. I can’t tell you how long it’s been since I’ve been able to do that. So, I’m thinking it might be working…I hope!
Thank you Lori Quinn for our delicious meal.
Thank you Emily for the beautiful cookies and the very nice card.
Thank you all for reading my journal. It’s incredibly therapeutic for me to get everything out and share with you all. I hope you enjoy reading my posts and much as I enjoy writing them.
Have a great day.
Love,
Kim
PS. One more annoying anecdote regarding my Bug because Tracy Riordan tripped my memory: Back in college, Tracy’s boyfriend John (now husband) lived in a small apartment complex. Only a few apartments were inhabited with college kids; the remainder of the complex housed some scary, hard-core townies. Probably not a good combination. One night John had a small party and when my roommate wanted to go and I wanted to stay, I let her take the Bug home. Not five minutes after she left, someone came screaming into the apartment, “Kim Hagglund just ran a townie over!” It wasn’t me, it was my roommate and she didn’t really run someone over; I think she more or less pinned a townie between my beloved Bug and another car.
Anyway, after that night, I was afraid to bring the Bug back into his apartment complex. However, I do believe it was this incident that might have precipitated the attempted roll over. John lived pretty close to the McDonald’s at which the incident occurred.


Tuesday, March 20, 2007 3:34 AM, CDT
Hi Kim

Miss Molly (our 4 month old) has us up at all hours of the night. While she settles herself wondering why she can’t quite get her feet into her mouth, I wanted to thank you for sharing your journey with us.

Tracy and I pray for you everyday. Our prayers are echoed and requested by the people I work with (Holy Cross Family Ministries) who work in 16 countries around the world. The Abusheery family is prayed for every day in a dozen different languages from Boston to Bangkok!

Praise God for your witness of His special love and thank you for reminding us that:

there is no such thing as coincidence, everything is Grace
that when we suffer (physical, emotional, spiritual), we don’t do it alone
that in suffering, we are invited into a very personal dialogue, stripped of routine and everyday interruptions, where heart talks to Heart
and that Faith takes form in many ways, but in every way it is as St. Paul instructs “…the evidence of things unseen, the sum of all things hoped for.”
Bob Corcoranbcorcoran@hcfm.orgMedford, MA
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 8:15 AM, CDT
We are so glad that your visit went well yesterday. I think your humor is incredible in your stories , and like your other friends, I check on this daily to see what is happening and how you illustrate yourself thru your writing. I feel bad not knowing you that well b/c you sound like you would be a hilarious friend. My Dad and Andrew haved moved up closer to us (like 5 min away) and like the "Hagglunds" do, when we get together and throw a few back, we always toast to KIM... AHHH just like a Hagglund huh? And believe me, we toast ALOT! HA... keep strong and keep that humor flowin'
Meredith AllenPort St. Lucie, FL
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 8:15 AM, CDT
I really look forward to reading your journal each day!! You are such a great descriptor of all that is happening around you and with you!! Like right now I feel like I have a port and it is freakin' me out!! I hate those bones that stick out; clavicles, hips, etc...BUT I still want to see your port:)
It is weird that you spoke of angels today...Just last night I put aside a book that I want to bring to you, Healing with Angels. The authors speaks about how each one of us have angels with us Always. I know that I often get so caught up with the hustle and bustle of every day that I forget about that. It is nice to be reminded:)
thinking of you,
Melissa
Melissa Callender
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 10:33 AM, CDT
Kim,
It was so great seeing you at field hockey on Sunday. You did great! I'm looking forward to seeing you at the WTB field hockey "banquet". Did you have those in high school, like I did? It should be fun.
Karen
Karen Puntillokpuntill@assumption.eduWest Boylston, MA
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 10:38 AM, CDT
Kim
Yes,I believe in angels also, they are always with us, just keep your mind open. You have a sense of humor and great faith I hope it helps. I offer my prayers for you & your family. Enjoy them all, Your husband Greg ,children, and family are the living angels all around you , Take care
Sue Sousa
Sue SousaHolbrook, MA
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 12:46 PM, CDT
Hi Kim! I look forward to reading your journal entries as soon as they are posted. You make me feel a little closer. It also reminds me, as a busy mom of 5, to slow down a little and enjoy a whole lot more. Thank you for that!
On to the subject of angels - we sure do believe in them too. They help get through some tricky times. Here's a lttle funny one for you. Last night we were out to dinner for Kaylie's 7th birthday. The waitress comes over to the table to take our order. She asks if we are celebrating anything special tonight and with that Kaylie raises her hand, "Yes, it's my birthday .... and I know someone elses birthday it is too .... but she's dead." Kaylie was born on my mom's moms 80th birthday. I think this was Kaylie's way of making sure her angel was reembered on her birthday. Kids are amazing!!
Love to you XOXOXOXO and your wonderful family!
Love, BJ
BJ Senecalbjnchriskmt@verizon.netRutland
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 1:08 PM, CDT
Hi Kim,
I have your journal notifications come to my office so I can read them first thing in the morning. I go to the gym at 5:30 a.m. and then to the office to shower, so email is #3 on my list before anyone else arrives. I read yours first now and send you prayers every morning as I read along. I haven't seen you for so long, that when I read your entries, I still picture the adorable blonde, pig-tailed kindergartner that used to hop in and out of my back seat with a bounce in her step.
I've talked to your mother a week or so ago - thank you for that. It has been way too long since I have seen or heard from your Mom. I'm so glad we have reconnected. She certainly was always a bright spot in my life.
As all your other friends have told you time and time again... I applaud your courage and maintained sense of humor in your journals. You will overcome. You will succeed. You have the angels and they will keep you strong and marking ever forward and upward.
God Bless and love to you and yours,
Marcia
Marcia BensonBrewster
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 3:08 PM, CDT
Hi Kim!
Your last entry is just beautiful. Beautiful. And not the kind of beautiful like Kerry realizing you had that fanny pack all along. (I was fortunate enough to be on that trip and to see that pack worn with pride and confidence each day.) It's the kind of beautiful that fills up your heart and your eyes to look at.
Thanks again for writing so honestly.
Love,
Ricky
Heather Martire
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 3:33 PM, CDT
Dear Kim,
Your angelic observations are wonderful! And . .. by the name of Faith! Beautiful.
Of course you are scared. But you are also young, strong, loving, and loved. That's powerful stuff! Another friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer at 9 years old, and she is nearly my age. She is actually the focus of a study regarding her family's medical history and what their "it" factor is that enables them to keep coming back from such severe medical setbacks.
May the "it" be with you!
Love,
Lauren
Lauren CacelaHolden, MA

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 6:42 PM, CDT
Jay and I love the impression of the shop. We actually still laugh about it and quite often mimick it (all in good fun!).
Now once I give your seat in the elaborate workshop, I really don't want to hear any complaining about the type of work you may have to get dirty, you may have to work the press. I will make sure I get you a pink apron to keep you as clean as possible. I do not want you to lose your position on the corporate ladder I have created. There are plenty of people below you that will knock you down on the way by!!!
Kerry Berry
Tuesday, March 20, 2007 6:51 PM, CDT
Haggsie - When you say your roommate pinned a townie in the parking lot, what exactly do you mean? "Pinned" in like a Biblical sense? I mean, she did have a...well...a compulsion. Anyway...
Now everyone knows what we've known for a long time: That you are a great light in this world. We all love you.
Greg
Kim AbusheeryHolden, MA