Day 243

Today's photo inspiration is #thank you.

Just a snippet of some of the generous get well gifts I've been receiving. So to all my wonderful friends...thank you..thank you..#thank you! !!

Day 242

Today's photo inspiration is #Just_like_a_movie.

 The haunting and brilliant "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy. Just_like_a_movie but better...the books always are.

Day 241

Today's photo inspiration is #bubbly.

Currently the only bubbly I'm partaking in is of the ginger ale persuasion but I lift my glass to you all anyways with much joy. Besides, my morphine gives me the ultimate buzz. :)

Day 240

Today's photo inspiration is #rule_of_thirds.

My sisters/friends/lifesavers. 

A quick hello and huge thank you

 I'm still under a big haze of morphine and valium and lots of pain but just wanted to take a moment  to say hello and to let you know 7 days out of surgery I'm still here trying to get stronger every day. It's way more pain than I ever expected so I definitely suggest you dont try this at home kiddies. 

I also wanted to give a big big thank you for all the flowers, balloons, cards, meals, donations and visits in the hospital and at home. You guys definitely at some points filled my room at GW to capacity and never let me forget your presence. Your well wishes literally get me through the day when all I might want to do is cry and be depressed. I hope I can at some point thank you all individually but you know who you are and now I know how much you love me.

Healing is slow going but I'm doing better than expected according to doctors. A detailed medical update will be sent soon but for now time for more meds and a nap. :)

Love and Light

Day 239

Today's photo inspiration is #white.

" There are always flowers for those who want to see them." - Henri Matisse

 (photo credit by my booski Tahisha ..thank you :)

Day 238

Today's photo inspiration is #refreshing.

First Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season..refreshing, iced..day maker :) 

Music Mondays - It's Not The Same

Liam Bailey's  "It's Not The Same"

You better leave me
Better leave me
I'll be cold inside
Whisky make the time
Did you know, darling?
Showed you all I knew
I've been lonely darling
I've been feeling blue
Every time I try to stop my own faith
I come all alone darling
I am playing games
You better leave me darling
You better leave me
Love is .. with me
I look in the mirror
I am to blind to see

All I know I felt so much younger
Now I feel the age
I come all alone darling
I am playing games
You better leave me darling
You better leave me
Do you remember when everybody was so young
Always making love and always having fun
Now I don't even like the sound of my own name
Make the change
I come all alone darling
I am playing games and you don't need it
I am playing games
You better leave me darling
You better leave me
To make the change
Make the change

Day 237

Today's photo inspiration is #memory.

 So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good." - Helen Keller.

And here I stand with one of my beloved friends Beverly. :)

Week 35 Photo Challenges

Day 236

Today's photo inspiration is #please

 Lord please bless and keep safe my sis n law Claudia and every other amazing friend and co-worker that I have that has taken the time to take care of me during my cancer recovery. 

Day 235

Today's photo inspiration is #fracture.

While cancer can fracture the body and mind. Hope and a willingness to fight can heal your spirit. Let's do this. :) 

Day 234

Today's photo inspiration is #lucky_number

Right now "One" seems to be my lucky number as I have  been told that with no cancer found in my lymph nodes I'm officially still Stage One! :)

Day 233

Today's photo inspiration is #not_a_chore.

 I can't say having to take all these pills is not a chore but its a necessary evil in being a survivor 

Day 232

Today's photo inspiration is #stripes.

 I asked some of my friends to help me play catch up on my photos while I recover. This photo credit goes to my lovely friend Tess Davis....thank you!!! 

6am Reflections

I've gotten a total of 7 hours of sleep in the past two days but I am not tired. I'm up praying for a peace to come over me at 1 pm which I do not have yet this morning. 

I want to go back to bed but I know I have a bigger things that lie ahead of me and none of it involves laying back down and giving up. The build up and anticipation and anxiety of the past 7 weeks have all come down to this day. All the decision making, planning and "doing" can be put aside as I am told there is nothing more that I can do but show up to save my life.

You ALL..My friends and family, my CAKE team even perfect strangers have covered me in prayers and well wishes and by your amazing outpouring of love and light have already saved me and I'm forever grateful.

For those of you that have not seen it my friends have helped me put together a website with pictures quotes and a donation page. They will give progress updates until I can resume them myself.  Please check it out and post and give if the spirit moves you. 

https://www.mylifeline.org/abeal/?page=welcome.cfm

Thank you again for all the support thus far. It means the world to me. Looking forward to seeing you on the other side.

Heart open..Spirit renewed..Cancer gone.

Day 231

Today's photo inspiration is #flight.

After having the best sister n law in the world taking care of me after surgery I was super sad to see her go home. She has earned her 'wings" for sure. 

Good Better Best..now only if I could get some rest

All and all this was a good weekend. I find my anxiety has gotten the better of me as far as sleep is concerned but I had some awesome moments during my waking hours. Friday, I spent all day having final consultations with Dr. Teal and Dr. Marshall to talk about the ends and outs of what to expect on Tuesday. No new surprises with my case and we are still hoping that the cancer has not spread to my lymph nodes or chest wall.

I was expecting to be overwhelmed with more talk of the inevitable but I feel pretty numb about it most of the time. I'm definitely in "doing" mode and less in "feeling" mode right now as it feels like I've had to do so much in so little time. There is a rolling mental scroll of things that need to be done and no matter how much I write it down it stays stuck in my head replaying and replaying itself in the voice of Dustin Hoffman in Rain Man. So many decisions had to be made that comes down to these next couple of days. With deciding on doctors, surgery options, treatment plans, paint colors and curtain fabrics.It's only so much one person can take.

Fortunately, the better part of this weekend was filled with lots of levity and libations in the form of dinner and dancing with varied group of my fab CAKE Team. The love was tangible..the vibe was celebratory..and it was just what I needed. It may be awhile before I have my dancing shoes on again so I wanted to revel in the movement of the music and the beautiful people and feel beautiful along with them..and I did.

I felt beautiful.

I hope to feel that way again very soon.

I spent the rest of the weekend mainly alone, running errands, reflecting, trying to ward off the anxiety. ..even eating brunch by myself. It was surprisingly nice.

Today, I did get a chance to go to the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts for the monthly DC Young Adult Cancer Survivors group meeting. It was nice to be able to meet and talk to people who are in my age group and hear and resonate with their issues and know I'm not alone in my fears and concerns. Sending them all love and light right now as they deserve it.

The best part of the meeting was connecting Erika Bracey, a dynamo of a cancer survivor who happened to be visiting from Chicago and took the time to come to the meeting to support me. Erika is doing great things in helping other cancer survivors and even makes amazing bracelets in honor of them...us. My hope is that on the other side of this I will be able to shine as bright as she does.

It's late. I'm going to try and quiet the noise in my head now and get some sleep. Dustin and I have alot to get done tomorrow.

Week 34 Photo Challenges **Favor Needed**

With all the preparation for my upcoming surgery its getting harder and harder to take the time 

to capture my daily pictures. 

After Tuesday I will be heavily sedated and not getting out of the house much for several weeks. So that's where you come in! 

Please help me continue my daily picture project by being my guest photographer for a couple of weeks. 

Check out Project Life 365 Daily Challenges below and send me your photo contributions via email at ableonebiz@gmail.com or text and I will post with credit on my blog and instagram when I'm able. 

Please be sure to add your instagram name if you have one. Looking forward to seeing what all my creative friends come up with.

Day 230

Today's photo inspiration is #motion_blur.

Hanging out with my lovely friends celebrating all good things before my surgery I had the great fortune to be able to dance the night away with music by friend and DJ extraordinaire Jahsonic. So yes... Last night a DJ saved my life with a song.

Day 229

Today's photo inspiration is #matched_ pair.

When life gives you lemons...make lemonade (and add alcohol). :) 

Day 228

Today's photo inspiration is #obligations

My friends taking the time to celebrate life with me despite their own issues and obligations.  Love was the priority of the night.

Day 227

Today's photo inspiration is #reality.

For every sucky bite of reality take several bites of tiramisu cheesecake...doctors orders. :) 

Day 226

Today's photo inspiration is #little_things.

Its the little things like a new red lipstick that makes a bad day feel a bit better.

Day 225

Today's photo inspiration is #underneath.

Celebrating a good news day with my booski Tahisha underneath the wholefoods bakery sign with yummy pastries and coffee. I promise this isnt a posed picture. :)

Day 224

Today's photo inspiration is #above.

 Above all continue to be grateful for life's beauty. .wherever you find it.

Music Mondays - In a Sentimental Mood

Duke Ellington and John Coltrane's original jazz rendition of  "In a Sentimental Mood"

and the late great Phyllis Hyman with lyrics

In a sentimental mood

I can see the stars come through my room

While your loving attitude

Is like a flame that lights the gloom

On the wings of every kiss

Drifts a melody so strange and sweet

In this sentimental bliss

You make my paradise complete

Rose petals seem to fall

It's all I could dream to call you mine

My heart's a lighter thing

Since you made this night a thing divine

In a sentimental mood

I'm within a world so heavenly

For I never dreamt that you'd be loving sentimental me

Day 223

Today's photo inspiration is #direction.

 Directions on what to do from my friend Terry....Believe.

Week 33 Photo Challenges

Day 222

Today's photo inspiration is #in_the_distance.

 Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky. - Rainer Maria Rilke

Day 221

Today's photo inspiration is #my_work.

Officially on leave. I've been keeping busy making over a guest room. Its really coming together (with a little help from my friends) :) 

Day 220

Today's photo inspiration is #kiss

Nothing like a kiss of good coffee and some quality with a friend to keep my spirts up.

Day 219

Today's photo inspiration is #snack

Nothing better than a snack of giant chocolate bar to forget the hell that is Ikea. 

Day 218

Today's photo inspiration is #morning_routine

 Today was my last official day in the office for awhile. My morning routine was to walk through these doors and try my best at being a part of helping to improve the lives of others. As challenging as times were I realize I was exactly where I was suppose to be. I'll miss it.

The storm will pass

Day 217

Today's photo inspiration is #collection.

Here is my newly gifted collection of healing bracelets. Given in love. .I'm sure they will work miracles.

Music Monday's - Sinnerman

The great Nina Simone's " Sinnerman"

Oh Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?

Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?

Where you gonna run to?

All along dem day

Well I run to the rock, please hide me

I run to the rock,please hide me

I run to the rock, please hide me, Lord

All along dem day

But the rock cried out, I can't hide you

The rock cried out, I can't hide you

The rock cried out, I ain't gonna hide you guy

All along dem day

I said, Rock, what's a matter with you rock?

Don't you see I need you, rock?

Lord, Lord, Lord

All along dem day

So I run to the river, it was bleedin'

I run to the sea, it was bleedin'

I run to the sea, it was bleedin'

All along dem day

So I run to the river, it was boilin'

I run to the sea, it was boilin'

I run to the sea, it was boilin'

Along dem day

So I run to the Lord, please hide me Lord

Don't you see me prayin'?

Don't you see me down here prayin'?

But the Lord said, go to the devil

The Lord said, go to the devil

He said, go to the devil

All along dem day

So I ran to the devil, he was waitin'

I ran to the devil, he was waitin'

Ran to the devil, he was waitin'

All on that day

I cried - 

POWER!!!!!!! 

(Power to da Lord) 

[8x]

Bring down, 

(Power to da lord), 

[4x]

POWER!!! 

(power to da lord) 

[12x]

(Instrumental)

Oh yeah, Woh yeah, Woh yeah

Well I run to the river, it was boilin'

I run to the sea, it was boilin'

I run to the sea, it was boilin'

All along dem day

So I ran to the Lord

I said, Lord hide me, please hide me

Please help me

Along dem day

He said, child, where were you

When you oughta been prayin'?

I said,Lord, Lord, hear me prayin'

Lord, Lord, hear me prayin'

Lord, Lord, hear me prayin'

All along dem day

Sinnerman you oughta be prayin'

Oughta be prayin', Sinnerman

Oughta be prayin',

All on that day

I cried - 

POWER!!!!!!! 

(Power to da Lord) 

[12x]

Go down

(Power to da Lord)

[3x]

POWER!!!!!!!

(Power to da Lord) 

[3x]

Power, Power, Lord

Don't you know I need you Lord

Don't you know that I need you

Don't you know that I need you

Power, Lord!

Day 216

Today's photo inspiration is #high_contrast.

My very talented friend Nik shot Chynadoll and I for a mother/daughter photo session today. It's high contrast to our typical Sunday afternoon but it was super fun and a great bonding experience. .Cant wait to see the finished product. 

Week 32 Photo Challenges

Day 215

Today's photo inspiration is #hair.

A great mixture of hair, boobs and love at my "Drink for the Cure" party my workmates put on for me.

Day 214

Today's photo inspiration is #reliable.

 Good friends show up and show out when you need them. 

Day 213

Today's photo inspiration is #you_today

 flowers from a lovely workmate.