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John Dabell

@johndabell.bsky.social
1.8K followers 30 following 1.2K posts

Incurable optimist living with incurable cancer. Hopepunk, Grit Spreader & Force Multiplier. The difference between a warrior and a worrier is a couple of vowels.

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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 8h
Pessimism has been detained at the border. Impossible is wanted for questioning and the plot twist has been approved.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Are you a grit grower or a quit sower? Are you a cheerleader or a fearleader? Are you a try-athlete or a why-athlete?
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Are you a hopemonger or a mopemonger? Are you a joy spreader or a joy shredder? Are you a naysayer or a nayslayer?
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I'd like to say that today I have been better, stronger, faster but recovery is not like the bionic man. Heart meds are making me feel very lightheaded and very tired. Having major bowel surgery combined with being permanently nil by mouth also means feeding is a huge challenge. I will never give up
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Hopetimistically: the practice of adding optimism to hope and then doing something with it.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Turbulence doesn’t mean you’re going down. Sometimes it simply means the journey is rough for a while.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Life may subtract from you without subtracting you.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Dosed up to the eyeballs, I managed a walk this morning. 2 weeks ago, surgeons told me an operation would be very risky given my medical CV. It's actually being active and keeping active that got me through it. Walking has saved the day again!
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
My latest life-saving operation and ICU admission reminds me once again that tomorrow is never a given. My wife, daughter and I had a heartbreaking last goodbye conversation together and that wasn't easy. When you get the chance to say hello again, you realise just how precious being here really is.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
A week ago to now. What a difference 7 days can make. I've picked up pneumonia while I’ve been here, & my heart has also been affected, so I’m now on medication for that too. It’s been another difficult & unexpected turn, but I’m still here, still fighting and still taking things one day at a time.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Update from Dad: After 8 days of being fed through a single central vein in my neck, I am now back to using my RIG and pumping liquid feed into my stomach. This is a big step. Walkies could be on the horizon!
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Dad is out of Critical Care after 7 days is now on a ward. He needs to get back so we can share some fresh air together and get back to our walks and sniffs.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I can't quite believe I have ended up in intensive care again but here I am. This time it is a perforated duodenum causing peritonitis. The magnificent staff at Nottingham NUH have saved my life for the 4th time and I couldn't wish for better care. Everyone has been superb.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
It's Dad's birthday today!
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Dad's got a nasty jaw infection so I'm on perimeter watch to ensure there are no breaches.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Looking for Dad.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Dad went to hospital yesterday and now he's on two lots of antibiotics. I told the doctors that he has to get better because of my patrols and walkies.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I want Dad to get better so we can go on another adventure 😕
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Today was going to be my 79th immunotherapy treatment but I have a nasty jaw infection related to osteoradionecrosis which is very painful. My crumbling jaw has managed remarkably well considering the almighty battering it has endured. Hoping to get back on track soon.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Hopetimistically: approaching life with hope in your heart and bounce in your step.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Hopetimistically: approaching life with hope in your heart and bounce in your step.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
No grit. No pearl.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Optimism is looking for what’s growing, not just what’s gone.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Head and neck cancer is often called the "Cinderella" of cancers because it receives far less public awareness, research funding, and media attention compared to other major cancer types, despite its severe impact on breathing, swallowing, and speech.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Back in familiar territory for another CT scan this evening. Whatever the scan sees, it won’t see the size of my determination. Scan, smile, soldier on!
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
My kind of crop rotation: courage, gratitude, hope, repeat.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Happy Sunday from me and Hetty 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Every day doesn’t have to be amazing. It just needs to be noticed.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
With a nod to Henry James, three things in life are important when “going through” cancer: the first is to be courageous. The second is to be courageous. And the third is to be courageous.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Incurable doesn’t mean incapable. There are still paths to walk and bridges to cross. Cancer has taught me not to wait for perfect days - there aren’t any. So, get outside, cross the bridge, take the photo and make today count.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
My 2 jobs for today: 1. Feed the hope 2. Water the optimism
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Life doesn’t need to be easy to be beautiful.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Hetty and I taking a well earned rest, all of five seconds of it before she spotted her next chase!
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Hetty and I taking a well earned rest, all of five seconds of it before she spotted her next chase!
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Sunshine people have a remarkable gift: they leave every place, and every person, a little brighter than they found them. Choose to keep them close.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Find something worth caring about, then keep showing up for it.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
LIVE FOR THE MOMENT Make today count. Open your heart. Move with purpose. Embrace what you can do. Never stop living. Take nothing for granted.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Each new sunrise is an encore! Here at the Helios installation at Southwell Minister in Nottinghamshire.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Another distraction day courtesy of Belton Hall.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Having treatment and then biopsies the very next day has meant a fair bit of inflammation and pain this week. It’s been uncomfortable and draining, but thankfully a walk at Chatsworth has given me some much-needed distraction
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
O.P.T.I.M.I.S.T. O – Outlook that sees possibilities. P – Persistence through every setback. T – Trust in a brighter tomorrow. I – Inner strength that keeps rising. M – Mindset focused on growth. I – Inspiration that fuels action. S – Smile that lights the way. T – Triumph that follows belief.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Diagnostics complete. ✓ Resilience: ONLINE ✓ Gratitude: ACTIVE ✓ Purpose: ENGAGED ✓ Hope: STEADY ✓ Kindness: READY TO DEPLOY Mission status: Keep going.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
CANCER Claim today. Accept uncertainty. Navigate with hope. Choose optimism. Empower others. Remember how far you've come.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Hope flowers wherever we choose to plant it.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
It's hard to get my head around, but it's my 78th immunotherapy treatment today and every single one represents another chance to keep living with purpose, gratitude and hope.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
I can't see the future, but I can choose how I face it.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
When illness narrows your options, widen your perspective.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Some people cast spells. I prefer casting optimism.
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John Dabell @johndabell.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Hope grows best when you give it something to climb.
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