Greetings loved ones,

Today marks Day #17 of 28 days of outpatient chemo Cycle One. I will complete Day 28 on December 23rd - just in time for the Christmas holiday. I will then have 4 weeks off from chemo, before moving onto Cycle Two. I look forward to spending my chemo break with family and friends; and getting out to experience art happenings, community events, and nature.

Despite enduring consistent side effects such as nausea, fatigue, dry skin, and change in appetite - I remain strong and resilient. I still have the energy to make up choreography in my living room, and go on walks around my cute neighborhood. (Please stay tuned for a few dance projects I will present in 2019!). Woo hoo!

There have been some days where all I could do is sleep. I feel guilty for sleeping so much because I am accustomed to being in the constant state of being busy and never getting enough sleep. Having cancer has really forced me to slow down, and be unapologetic about being gentle with myself. I acknowledge that eating well, moving my body, reducing stress, resting, and sleeping are all essential for my treatment. I do my best every single day at the things in my power that will help me get better.

Thank you all so much for your well wishes via voicemail, texts, social media, email, post office mail, etc. My days are so much brighter because of all of the wonderful people in my life. I have so much to live for and look forward to - and I am constantly reminded of that EVERY SINGLE DAY. I am truly blessed.

Please head over to my photo GALLERY to check out a few of my fun shenanigans after my 45 day hospital stay including my 44th Birthday/Homecoming celebration; Thanksgiving dinner; Made in Paradise Hills community event where Grammy nominated Southeast San Diego homegrown artist, Ms. Andra Day performed one of my favorite songs, "Rise Up."

Ms. Day was inspired to write this song after she heard her friend was diagnosed with cancer. I just learned this from watching Jeopardy tonight (no joke!). I have directed and choreographed to this song for the Arts Amplifying Youth Summit and for transcenDANCE Youth Arts this past year, in collaboration with my dear friend and little bro, Dairrick Khalil Hodges. The pieces were performed by youth from under resourced neighborhoods in San Diego. I also played this song at my Birthday/Homecoming party and improv danced with my dance friends and family. This song and lyrics are extraordinarily meaningful to me. I hope you will find meaning in these lyrics too!

RISE UP by Andra Day