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Hot Tea & Apricots
A Memoir of Loss and Hope.
How would you cope, suddenly not being able to talk, in a world that only knows how to communicate through speech?
This story explores one woman’s journey through this uncharted territory and her eventual victory through tenacity and faith.
“A vulnerable and beautifully penned account of the power of family, friendship and faith in the face of unbelievable odds. Kim recounts her experiences masterfully, the severity of her situation balanced with incredible wit and humour. It is an unputdownable, jaw-dropping, love-filled read that will challenge,inspire and uplift you.”
Nikki Bush, Award-winning Speaker and Best-selling Author
“For every person out there, who has suffered an inexplicable health trauma, this one is for you. I loved and feared this book because it resonated so strongly with me; its pages echoing weeks after completion. It is an honour to have read her story,”
Laura Bergh, Chief Enabler, The Greenlight Office
“Kim's journey has been such an inspiration during these tumultuous times in our country, speaking to one of the greatest challenges we face, that of healing and transforming our inner wounds. A truly inspiring story.”
Nomfundo Mogapi, CEO of the Centre for Mental Wellness in Leadership
About the
Kim Ballantine is an industrial psychologist who worked for the Human Sciences Research Council before consulting on international best practice to the manufacturing sectors. After recovering from voice loss and cancer she re-trained as a professional business and life coach, co-founded Camber Coaching (Pty) Ltd and became a board member and co-founder of the Mental Wellness Initiative, placing mental wellness at the heart of South African society. She is a wife, mother and grateful grandmother and lives with her husband, Rob in Johannesburg, South Africa.
How would you cope, suddenly not being able to talk, in a world that only knows how to communicate through speech?
This story explores one woman’s journey through this uncharted territory and her eventual victory through tenacity and faith.
“A vulnerable and beautifully penned account of the power of family, friendship and faith in the face of unbelievable odds. Kim recounts her experiences masterfully, the severity of her situation balanced with incredible wit and humour. It is an unputdownable, jaw-dropping, love-filled read that will challenge,inspire and uplift you.”
Nikki Bush, Award-winning Speaker and Best-selling Author
“For every person out there, who has suffered an inexplicable health trauma, this one is for you. I loved and feared this book because it resonated so strongly with me; its pages echoing weeks after completion. It is an honour to have read her story,”
Laura Bergh, Chief Enabler, The Greenlight Office
“Kim's journey has been such an inspiration during these tumultuous times in our country, speaking to one of the greatest challenges we face, that of healing and transforming our inner wounds. A truly inspiring story.”
Nomfundo Mogapi, CEO of the Centre for Mental Wellness in Leadership
About the
Kim Ballantine is an industrial psychologist who worked for the Human Sciences Research Council before consulting on international best practice to the manufacturing sectors. After recovering from voice loss and cancer she re-trained as a professional business and life coach, co-founded Camber Coaching (Pty) Ltd and became a board member and co-founder of the Mental Wellness Initiative, placing mental wellness at the heart of South African society. She is a wife, mother and grateful grandmother and lives with her husband, Rob in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- GenresNonfiction
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
12 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 15, 2024
When I saw the title of this memoir, I was immediately eager to read it. I mean, Hot Tea and Apricots – where would you find a title like that? And within moments the explanation was there as part of the author’s note setting the tone for the book. Because Kim’s story is unlike any I have read. And the title reveals so much in terms of coping, taking those steps towards conquering the mountains that faced Kim. Because hot tea and apricots is a sherpa’s response to climbing a high peak, a response to that loss of faith when you think you won’t make it, a response of hope and finding the strength to move on. Every so often I felt the need to sup on tea and chew on apricots to give me the strength to move to the next part of the story. While the heartfelt foreword had prepared me for what I was about to read the reality sometimes hit me between the eyes.
Searing, heartbreaking, agonizing, funny but above all hopeful amidst so much devastating loss, is this recounting by a brave woman whose life was literally put on hold by a debilitating rare illness, Spasmodic Dysphonia, that hit her just as she turned forty. Losing her voice, subjected to larynx spasms, coughing fits, inability to swallow and breathe is terrifying and disabling. The best treatment at that stage was the use of Botox! For the sporty and energetic Kim, whose young family sorely needed her, a consulting business that required high level communication - how do you cope?
Kim’s long journey and the devastating medical diagnoses is painful. Every nick and hole in the very long road recorded faithfully through the journals she was able to write during this time. It’s tough as we read of the toll taken on the family, seeing her children having to grow up quickly, stretching the loving relationship with doctor husband Rob, but it is never self-pitying, or self-indulgent. It is a lesson in friendship, family, faith, love and hope laced with a healthy dose of sometimes dark humour. Inspiring and honest the reader sees the narrow lens that disability is still viewed through, the toll on mental health, the test on relationships. It definitely makes you think about your own life.
Despite the several severe blows she experienced this book is her testament to the power of belief. Even at the most terrifying and life-threatening moments her God was with her every step of the way. It is this faith that held her family together, that gave her strength to navigate this dark tunnel strewn with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. And to come out the other side – her recovery has seen her become a professional business and life coach, co-founder of the Mental Wellness Initiative and to enjoy being a ‘grateful grandmother.’
December 10, 2023
Gripping
It's a read that's left me speechless; a breathtaking tale that some might interpret as the power of the human spirit.
However, I am not in awe of the so-called strength of the human will, and neither will I bow the knee to what some might attribute to Girl Power.
I am in awe of the grace, mercy, kindness, and generosity of Yahweh, creator God, and the work He graciously did in the life of this lady whose son I have the privilege of calling my boss.
I finished this gripping read over a weekend. I kept messaging Kim's son (my boss, friend and brother in Christ) with little ditties about him from the book, which I hope to use against him in future conversations with mutual friends. (The balls scene is just too good to not bring up in conversation.)
At one stage he asked me to check for spelling and grammar mistakes. I told him that I've come across a few, but that the story is far too good for me to waste my time focusing on them.
In my mind, that's a good read. If the story takes you beyond the spelling and grammar mistakes, that's a massive win.
Kim, thank you for sharing your story. I have stopped using terms like, incredible and unbelievable, although much of what you've been through seems just that.
But our sovereign God has shown you mercy, and it's encouraged my fundamentalist evangelical heart like you cannot believe.
Thank you. May our Lord continue to lather you in love and compassion.
It's a read that's left me speechless; a breathtaking tale that some might interpret as the power of the human spirit.
However, I am not in awe of the so-called strength of the human will, and neither will I bow the knee to what some might attribute to Girl Power.
I am in awe of the grace, mercy, kindness, and generosity of Yahweh, creator God, and the work He graciously did in the life of this lady whose son I have the privilege of calling my boss.
I finished this gripping read over a weekend. I kept messaging Kim's son (my boss, friend and brother in Christ) with little ditties about him from the book, which I hope to use against him in future conversations with mutual friends. (The balls scene is just too good to not bring up in conversation.)
At one stage he asked me to check for spelling and grammar mistakes. I told him that I've come across a few, but that the story is far too good for me to waste my time focusing on them.
In my mind, that's a good read. If the story takes you beyond the spelling and grammar mistakes, that's a massive win.
Kim, thank you for sharing your story. I have stopped using terms like, incredible and unbelievable, although much of what you've been through seems just that.
But our sovereign God has shown you mercy, and it's encouraged my fundamentalist evangelical heart like you cannot believe.
Thank you. May our Lord continue to lather you in love and compassion.
December 30, 2024
This last year wasn't my easiest from a business point of view,
and when my sister gifted me this book, I didn't realise the metaphorical meaning,
that she was uplifting me, in the same way as Kim's friend from her corporate life, Rand Air told her about, how he received hot tea and apricots when he couldn't continue hiking Kilimanjaro,
and the Sherpa helped him continue through that tough time. In this book, Kim shares the Hot tea and apricots that others gave to her, to help her summit her own mountain.
The truth is often stranger than fiction; my heart leapt outside of my body many times as I read this book; I had to put my reading glasses aside to wipe away many tears as Kim shared the rollercoaster journey of almost ten years of massive health challenges. What motivated me, is how despite losing a voice, she managed to dig deep inside, hold onto her faith and trust the Healer, and hand it over to him. Hearing the impact on her children, marriage and mental health and now seeing the work she is doing with the Pink drive and mental health awareness is inspiring.
I hope that Reese Witherspoon can pick up this book, and make a movie of it, or a short series what a story.
and when my sister gifted me this book, I didn't realise the metaphorical meaning,
that she was uplifting me, in the same way as Kim's friend from her corporate life, Rand Air told her about, how he received hot tea and apricots when he couldn't continue hiking Kilimanjaro,
and the Sherpa helped him continue through that tough time. In this book, Kim shares the Hot tea and apricots that others gave to her, to help her summit her own mountain.
The truth is often stranger than fiction; my heart leapt outside of my body many times as I read this book; I had to put my reading glasses aside to wipe away many tears as Kim shared the rollercoaster journey of almost ten years of massive health challenges. What motivated me, is how despite losing a voice, she managed to dig deep inside, hold onto her faith and trust the Healer, and hand it over to him. Hearing the impact on her children, marriage and mental health and now seeing the work she is doing with the Pink drive and mental health awareness is inspiring.
I hope that Reese Witherspoon can pick up this book, and make a movie of it, or a short series what a story.
February 3, 2025
An unusual account by a South African woman of faith, high up in her corporate world, married to a successful doctor and with three children. Out of the blue she developed Spasmodic Dysphonia which left her without a voice and in excruciating pain as her vocal cords went into permanent spasm.
For almost five years, Kim Ballantine had literally no voice. She suffered all manner of indignities along the way from the assumptions of others to the hideous consequences of septicemia and the puzzlement of doctors and professors alike. Holding on to her faith, sometimes by a thread, and supported by an array of incredible friends, she recalls the impact and trauma on herself, her marriage and on her three children as the family faced the rollercoaster together. On top of all of this, she was diagnosed with breast cancer which would have broken many of us.
I laughed and cried my way through this book. Kim Ballantine writes well and peppers her story with humorous anecdotes and wry observations. It will leave you wishing she was your friend.
For almost five years, Kim Ballantine had literally no voice. She suffered all manner of indignities along the way from the assumptions of others to the hideous consequences of septicemia and the puzzlement of doctors and professors alike. Holding on to her faith, sometimes by a thread, and supported by an array of incredible friends, she recalls the impact and trauma on herself, her marriage and on her three children as the family faced the rollercoaster together. On top of all of this, she was diagnosed with breast cancer which would have broken many of us.
I laughed and cried my way through this book. Kim Ballantine writes well and peppers her story with humorous anecdotes and wry observations. It will leave you wishing she was your friend.
February 7, 2025
Read it in 2 days. Became unsociable and just read.
This book was given to me and it’s the kind of book you want others to read. The courage and faith this family had, the incredible story of struggle and resilience. I think you can read it for so many reasons- just from a family perspective- how to be honest and real- from a faith perspective- never letting go of hope, never stop trusting or believing - and then about health and healing and never giving up.
What a book.
What a story.
What courage.
Spoiler alert… bring tissues
This book was given to me and it’s the kind of book you want others to read. The courage and faith this family had, the incredible story of struggle and resilience. I think you can read it for so many reasons- just from a family perspective- how to be honest and real- from a faith perspective- never letting go of hope, never stop trusting or believing - and then about health and healing and never giving up.
What a book.
What a story.
What courage.
Spoiler alert… bring tissues
February 22, 2025
Brilliantly written. Kim's writing takes you on an intensely no-pretend, as real and raw as it gets, 15 year journey with her and her family dealing with her loss of voice, fight with cancer and all the cascading effects of the disability and the disease. Love harder. Never give up.
My faith has been strengthened.
My faith has been strengthened.
May 22, 2024
Absolutely loved reading this of a special lady's life. Kim it was a trill and treat to read your story of courage and determination. If you need to know what courage and faith look like read this....
February 9, 2025
What a beautifully written story! The kind that makes you want to laugh and cry all in the same breath. A story of redemption and trusting in Jesus and the effects that the trials on earth have on us and those around us. Would highly recommend!
July 8, 2024
An unbelievable story of hope and determination. Sometimes, it was quite difficult to believe that this is a true story of a person living in Johannesburg!
November 2, 2024
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
No spoilers but her hubby’s naked booty on her birthday quite literally left her speechless. Little did she know that this would be just the start of a monumental health battle. Kim made me laugh and made me cry and at times made me put my potty mouth to good use, but above all, I felt inspired. She emboldened my belief that inside of each of us, lives a fighting spirit. We must draw strength from those we love, from those who love us, and from our higher powers, and with belief and determination, we truly can conquer any mountain we may face.
It’s a brilliant read.
You’ll love it.
I promise.
No spoilers but her hubby’s naked booty on her birthday quite literally left her speechless. Little did she know that this would be just the start of a monumental health battle. Kim made me laugh and made me cry and at times made me put my potty mouth to good use, but above all, I felt inspired. She emboldened my belief that inside of each of us, lives a fighting spirit. We must draw strength from those we love, from those who love us, and from our higher powers, and with belief and determination, we truly can conquer any mountain we may face.
It’s a brilliant read.
You’ll love it.
I promise.
December 29, 2024
Emotionally heart wrenching, but awe inspiring and an example of making a dreadful medical condition into an example of finding a rainbow.
October 11, 2023
A beautiful memoir written by a woman who sheds a new light on the word disabled. One can only admire her strength and courage, her dedication to her family and devotion to her faith while battling with severe illness. Very heartsore in parts but the writer also makes you smile with her quirky sense of humour and her wonderful zest for life.
A book to add to the collection of those you will read more than once.
A book to add to the collection of those you will read more than once.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews