What tomorrow brings

Tomorrow will either lift the weight of the unknown or add to it.  Tomorrow I will get the results of a test I hope will bring the clarity I've been seeking.  Stay tuned. ...

[Animation] They are grateful to one another : Productive Marriage

Fit For Good challenge

I joined the Fitbit FitForGood challenge  for my steps from Nov 9-20th to support the MS Society.

Join me
https://fitforgood.fitbit.com/

Walk MS Houston - National MS Society

Walk MS Houston - National MS Society:



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Why I Participate:

Walk MS is a day that connects friends, families, and coworkers who join together to help create a world free of MS. I am an advocate for all invisible diseases as a person with Fibromyalgia that may be more I support any work to rid the world of these diseases and help those that currently have them and may in the future.

About MS
Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS.

Did you know?: Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. 

Please support me!
Your gift helps provide life-changing programs and services for people affected by MS, and cutting-edge research. Your donation puts us closer to realizing our promise to STOP MS in its tracks, RESTORE lost function and END MS forever. Ending MS means no one will receive an MS diagnosis again.

Every step matters. Every dollar counts. Every person makes a difference.

Why we march

Each year my family and I participate in the March for Babies walk to support premature babies and families. While we have our own reasons for marching we are reminded everyday of other reasons.

I found this article about Zoë Saldana and while she references a different  charity the cause, reason and n outcomes are the same and should inspire others.  Our first walk in 2008 was fun and because we believed in the cause but after we became personally invested.

March for Babies 2016

2015 Butterfly Garden 

Each year the March for babies give participants the option to donate and purchase butterflies for a butterfly garden in memorial or celebration of a life lost or granted by the aid of today's technology and funds made and given from the March of Dimes.

It is that time again, the March of Dimes has set the schedule for the 2016 March for Babies.  And the Team Qhamatas will be at it again.  We hope you will join us or at least donate.  

Join our team for 2016: Team Qhamatas

Why we walk

When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to nearly half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies. We’ve been walking since 1970 and have raised an incredible $2.3 billion to benefit all babies.

What to expect

This year, 3 million people will join their family, friends and colleagues in nearly 700 communities across the nation. Our volunteers and staff will encourage and support you in your efforts to raise awareness and funds. No matter if this is your first year or your 25th, you can expect the event to be fun, compelling and rewarding.

Walk Distance: 5 miles

Registration Time: 8:00 AM

Start Time: 9:00 AM

Chapter: Houston Division

Family fit day

I climbed 10 flights of stairs and earned the Happy Hill badge! #Fitbit

Curried Chickpea Salad

Yum,  I tried this out and it was great.  My kids and DH loved it too.

http://www.simple-veganista.com/2014/01/curried-chickpea-salad.html

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness I live with is: Anemia, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia (that I know of)

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: Anemia started 2005; Fatigue and Fibro August 2012

3. But I had symptoms since: 2010

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Sleep schedule, knowing when to stop instead of pushing past my limits

5. Most people assume: It's normal every day aches or old age pains :) or I simply overslept or being lazy

6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting out of bed.  Sometimes my back hurts so bad I can't do anything but lay there. 

7. My favorite medical TV show is: Right now Grey's Anatomy.  It used to be House when it was on the air.  

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My scanner/adobe type writer; I have issues writing for to long so what I tend to do is scan things I need to write on and use my adobe typewriter to fill in the forms.

9. The hardest part about nights are: Getting comfortable enough to fall asleep or keeping my RLS at bay

10. Each day I take _ 7_ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please. That is including taking 1 pill twice out the day)

11. Regarding alternative treatments I: Am still looking.

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: Actually I probably would prefer an invisible one.  Even with all the trouble of trying to convince someone that you do have a problem.  I would prefer that over them seeing my pain everyday and either feeling sorry for me or it hurting them too seeing my problems.  At least this way I can hide it when I need to (which also causes it's own problems :) ). 

13. Regarding working and career: Hmm, that has been my biggest struggle.  I would like to be further along than I am, but I wonder sometimes if I take on the extra work will I be able to keep up.  Or will my ailment remain at the stage it's at or worsen making it harder to keep up.

14. People would be surprised to know: Anything is wrong with me.  I rarely just let go and lay out not moving.  I try to push through, which on days I fall asleep at the drop of a dime is kinda scary.

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: Unpredictability.  I love to plan ahead, but I can't always count on my plans.  

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Running.  With the pain that I feel and the extreme pain I feel after exercising I didn't think I would be strong enough to even pretend to run, but I do.  And  I love it.  And will keep it up until my body tells me otherwise.

17. The commercials about my illness: Are vague.  I'm glad they are there because then when I say Fibromyalgia or chronic pain people are like "Oh yeah" I heard about that.  But they don't really do it justice.

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Getting up and just going.  Now getting up is an issue and some days I can't go because I can't wake up.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: Hanging out after the kids are in bed.  That's usually my me time or me and hubby time, but for the most part I usually need too (don't always do what I need) go to bed when they do to function in the mornings.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: I haven't fully executed it, but I want to garden.  Actively as mentioned above I've taken up running.

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Take the kids somewhere like disney were we would walk around all day, ride rides, eat whatever and do it again the next day.  As it stands if I did that I wouldn't be able to walk either the next day or a few hours into that day.

22. My illness has taught me: Priorities

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: Just take some tylenol or just get up and move around you'll feel better.

24. But I love it when people: Want to know more and don't blame everything on my ailment

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Of course, God doesn't give you anything you can't handle.

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: Don't think about what you can't do, remember all you can and do what you can until you can't.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: How little people know about others.  When I tell people

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: My hubs took the kids out the whole day so I could be alone to sleep, surf the internet or just veg out.

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: There are a lot of those who suffer in silence and I was one of them.  I'm not trying to put a sign on my back and say look at me, but look at the illnesses support those with them.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Happy that maybe you will take interest or show us chronically ill some support.

My Facebook Page: F-A-I-D-Fighting-Against-Invisible-Diseases

MS Donations: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate
My Personal Lupus Donation page: http://lupus.donorpages.com/Raise4Lupus/TPQ/

Congratulations 4th Grader

Alhamdulilah, yesterday my beautiful little girl started her first day of forth grade.  This will be her last year in Elementary and I'm so proud.  This little girl fought her way from the back of the pack to being nominated for GT classes and missed it by very little on the test.  She passed her STAAR test with flying colors and even though nervous I know she will do the same this year.

As my husband says I won't know what they can do until I let them try.  So I've let her go even though she is my first baby and I'm trying so hard to hang on.  She has started learning how to cook and has almost mastered laundry LOL. I can't wait to see the wonders Allah has in store for this wonderful little woman.

Keep steppin

I took 20,000 steps and earned the High Tops badge! #Fitbit

EID ul Fitr 1436

Here we are blessed to see the end of another ramadan. I am thankful for my family.  My husband,  two daughters (Africa n Khalifah) and my young son (Israfil).

Daily Dua

Good day for this. To all those who feel they've fallen short.

Title: Rabbana 5 رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ إِن نَّسِينَآ أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا ۚ . Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget, or miss the mark! For more duas, Download our free app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.quranreading.muslimduaseries

Essence of Peace

With all the discrepancies relayed in the media and by word of mouth explaining (incorrectly) Islam and Muslim beliefs to others that don't know any better has gotten well out of control.

Being a black woman and knowing about all the stereotypes there are about black people and the racism that is very much alive and well,  I've actually felt and experienced more hate as a Muslim within the last year than ever in my 30 years being black.

That being said I want to relay a story that will show you the very essence of Islam and the peace that it's meant to bring and instill in it's followers.

Uncle Hamza ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib:
During the Battle of Uhud (625) a woman Hind bint Utbah hired a man to kill the prophet (PBUH) or some one close to him.  This was an effort to retaliate to the deaths of her father and brother during the battle of Badr.  Success! Her hired hand was able to kill the prophet's (PBUH) Uncle Hamza.  But it wasn't enough that he was killed she had to rub it in and get in another jab at the prophet (PBUH).  So after the battle she proceeded to eating (yes, eating) Hamza's liver out of his body.

Four years later (629) after the Muslims were successful in returning to Makkah Hind bint Uthbah's husband Abu Sufyan ibn Harb had converted to Islam, but she was afraid of what was going to be done to her for what she did to the prophet (PBUH).  She thought she would have to be a shut in for the rest of her life to stay safe.

However in the three years (632) that the prophet (PBUH) lived after his return to Makkah he never so much as spoke a bad word against Hind bint Uthbah.  She was allowed to live in peace and travel throughout the city without even an evil eye given from any Muslims.  With the kindness she was shown Hind accepted the message of Islam and is now considered to be among the ranks of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).


Index:
PBUH - Peace Be Upon Him

Ramadan Kareem

Ramadan starts at sunset.  Reminder for you and me, this month is about remembrance of Allah and the hardship of those that don't have the pleasure of going to a fridge and being picky about their food or being picky period.  

If your remember Allah he will make this month easy for you.  

What I ate today -breakfast

I am trying to get back my discipline before Ramadan,  just one week away.  So I'm going to play, "What I ate today". Because I  know if others could see I would be embarrassed most days before today. 

First off - Breakfast
We have a bowl with one banana and about a half cup of strawberries.

Take Action | LFA Public Service Announcement

Take Action | Lupus Foundation of America:



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Doc Hunt Take 2

Ok so I found a doc I think will do me right.  However I can't see her for like 3 weeks and my issues are getting worse not better.  So I made an executive decision.  I'm going to both.  I've made an appointment to see the first doc I found who doesn't do Fibro to get my symptoms checked out and get tested.  And then I'm going to use my new found information to speak with the other doctor a week later.

Hope everything works out.  I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired :(.

Lupus Awareness Day

So May 15th is Lupus Awareness day.  I need everyone to POP 

with me tomorrow. Take a look around your closet. If you are a 

crafter craft a purple butterfly or just a purple ribbon. Any purple 

will do. Text, email or attach your pics to this 

event. ‪#‎PutOnPurple‬ ‪#‎KnowLupus‬

Also raising funds in Memory of my Mom and Uncle Gene here:http://lupus.donorpages.com/Raise4Lupus/TPQ

Side note the TPQ stands for Thompson, Powe and Qhamata ;)

I am raising funds for the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA). My goal is to raise $250 for the 1.5 million people living with lupus in the United States. Your donation will help me reach my personal fundraising goal and I hope that you'll help me reach this goal! I realize these are tough times for many people, but every little bit helps!!

This page is in memory of two people in my family that didn't survive the fight.  My uncle Gene who died before I was born and was my moms best friend.  And my Mother who died when I was 15.  My mother found she had Lupus when she was working a job involving meat hooks and she got one stuck in her ankle.  When the wound wouldn't heal she went to the doctor.  This was day one.  So many years later she was warned against having kids, but she had me anyways.  I'm grateful for the fight she put up to stay and make me the person I am today and I'm happy that she is finally resting. 

Doctor Hunt

So as my Fibro and Lupus team know I am on the hunt for a new RA. My current one although he has been great helping me so far, he has fallen off. I had a weird and extreamly painful back issue Wednesday. I contacted him about it to see if we could spitball a cause or if he had any suggestions or as he said my last appt if things get worse we could set an appointment. Well all I got from him was "Mrs. Q I'm glad you are better". But I'm not better, pain is an issue and what if that happens when I'm not home next time. I was laid out for over 20 mins unable to move without intense pain shooting down my back. 

At first look I found two doctors that I liked at the hospital I want to be associated with that had good patient reviews. Well the first one I called doesn't treat Fibromyalgia so unless when I go I actually get diagnosed with Lupus I can't go to her again. And obviously she was at the top of my list since she was the first I called. UGGGH I didn't think this was going to be a cake walk, but good grief, cut me some slack. 

Doc Hunt - Strike 1  

Fully Raw Kristina's 21 Day Raw Challenge

Fully Raw Kristina's 21 Day Raw Challenge

I have signed up for the 21-day-challenge set up by FullyRawKristina, one of 3 lovely ladies that I follow on YouTube daily.  I have been attempting to go Fully raw since June 2014.  I have had ups and downs, but have become even more determined to stick with it.  This challenge is only meant help replace at least one meal a day with a fully raw meal, but can also be used to add new recipes to your fully raw diet.  

Well I will be one of the ones adding these recommendations to my fully raw day.  My goal is to eat all 3 meals and snacks as fully raw. Again using Kristina's fully raw daily list as ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner or (in the case of today's recipe) dessert. :)  I'm so very excited to join the rawvolution. If you wanna check out Kristina or my other two favorite raw foodies click the links below to check out their websites/youtube channels:

Kristina:

YouTube - FullyRawKristina

Website -  Fully Raw

Rawvana aka Yovana Mendoza

YouTube English - Rawvana

YouTube Espanol - Rawvana Espanol

WebSite - RawVana Web

Megan Elizabeth

YouTube - Easy To Be Raw

WebSite - M E Web

Editors note: I so totally forgot a rockin Raw Food inspiration Ms. Laura Miller with Tastemade Raw.Vegan.Not Gross and her personal channel Laura Miller.  Also check out her website/Blog at SideSaddleKitchen.