Merry Christmas from WunderGlo!!

It's Christmas. A time for celebration. A time to be with family and friends. A time to give gifts and spread cheer. And it's also a time to reflect on the many gifts we don't receive under the tree -- the gifts we are lucky to have every day. It's pretty hard not to be grateful when you're WunderGlo since I've got so many special things and people in my life. It goes without saying that I'm blessed with a wonderful family, unique and loyal friends, admirable and supportive colleagues, an unbending faith in God and in the goodness of humanity, a strong body, a pretty clever mind, and brilliant doctors fully committed to keeping me on this planet as long as possible. And that's not even scratching the surface.

More than anything, though, I'm thankful for one simple thing.

I'm happy to be alive.

We hear people talk about harrowing tales of survival and use the phrase "lucky to be alive," but I know what that means first-hand. Last Christmas, I was facing down some pretty long odds of survival. I celebrated the day with family and friends, with hope and optimism in my heart, and with complete knowledge that between my docs, the Baby Jesus, and my own will to live, I was going to survive.

And here I am this year. Alive and well and really happy about it, acutely aware of how precious each moment of life is. The happiness I feel in my heart colors my days and gives each experience just that extra stroke of beauty that almost makes you want to cry. I still face some challenges ahead (since "the cancer" is not officially history), but I'm even more convinced that everything will work out just fine and, on top of that, I'll do great things and experience great things all the while. That's just the way things are in the land of WunderGlo, and that's just the way things will continue to be. 

With that, I'm off to enjoy the rest of the holiday with my family. Hope you're all loving life and having a great Christmas!

Chemo Round 20

Chemo Round 20 was much more than just your run of the mill cancer-killing day. It was a results and scheduling day, too! Plus, I wore a santa hat.

First: Results.

1) CEA is still dropping. From a 9 to an 8 now. And I got that blood work done the day after the Watch The Throne concert and I must admit that I had a few drinks (consisting of white wine/champagne) that night. I know that alcohol could play a role in a CEA marker, and since we're talking about such small numbers at this point, I know even the littlest bit of booze throws things off. So my CEA tumor marker is lower than an 8 in real life - trust me.

2) PET/CT scans results were solid. No new evidence of disease (duh!). And that one spot in that scar tissue at my incision line has gone from an SUV 5.7 to an SUV 4.1. That means that the metabolic activity continues to drop, which that little bit of cancer is dying like the little punk it is.

Second: Scheduling.

1) A surgery date has been set! I'm going to be rocking out with Dr. Yuri Genyk (more on him later, but he's a rock star) at USC on January 12th, 2012. As I mentioned in a previous post, Dr. Sugarbaker has noted that I don't need the whole shebang with him again (which is awesome), but that doesn't mean this surgery won't be hardcore. Dr. Genyk will be removing my incision scar, which means another massive incision wound. Then he'll snoop around my belly to make sure all is well, which it will be. But if something is awry, he'll cut and clip until "the cancer" is out of my body. I should bounce back quicker from this surgery than the previous one, but I'm not taking it lightly. Getting prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally is my number one priority at this point. It's officially game time again, and I'm excited for the big day.

Exciting news, right?!

Ok, back to chemo.

Treatment was quick and easy. No blood work this time since I took care of that last week, so I just sauntered into a clinic room and had some quality time with Dr. Lenz. I got called into the Day Hospital pretty quickly and was given a VIP bed (because Wundy's a VIP, as you know). After about 20 minutes or so, my good friend and DJ teacher, Stoney (you can call him DJ Stonekold), paid me a visit. It's been a while since I've had someone other than the three nurses with me at chemo, and we had a great time listening to music, talking about everything under the sun, and joking around. We all packed up and bounced a little after 2pm, which is probably the earliest I've ever left Norris. Short and sweet -- a perfect way to end my last chemo treatment before surgery.

Last night, I felt a little bit of belly quaking and head aching, but the post-chemo Monday night grossness was better than it's ever been. Today, of course, I'm chillin' and feeling good. Tomorrow is usually the day I'm the most tired, but who knows? I seem to be gaining on this chemo stuff. I'll be back to my old tricks by Friday, thanks to this trusty body of mine. 

With a surgery date in sight, I'll be hitting the gym even harder than before and filling my belly with only the best foods. If I take this week off (which I will given the chemo), I'll have exactly 20 days to get as fit and as strong as possible in preparation for surgery. I've got a master plan and I'll be sticking to it. And I'll be sharing it all with you. It's time to take this cancer down, once and for all.

A Big Week

I am fully aware of the fact that I vowed to update the blog more frequently and that I pretty much failed to do so since turning 30. I could blame this delinquency on my old age, but instead I'll update you on my big week. Are you ready for this?

Big Event Number One: My 30th Birthday Party

On December 10th, two days after my actual birthday, I celebrated in grand fashion with some of my favorite people in the world. I had spent several weeks planning the event down to every last detail -- the dinner/dessert/drinks, the Christmas lights that would hang from the rafters, and the movies that would be projected on the white wall adjacent to the dance floor. I prepared my guests for a serious blowout of a party, and I prepared myself for it, too. But it was even better than I had dreamed of, because I made my debut as a DJ, and it was beyond incredible.

Many of you know that I've been taking DJ lessons. I'm sure I've dropped it in a couple of these blog posts somewhere down the line. My DJ teacher (he's more like a sensei, really) and I decided a while back that I had practiced and learned behind closed doors for long enough, and it was time to unveil my skills to my family and friends. A mini-set of about 40ish minutes at my birthday party was the plan, and I worked hard to get my playlist just right for the night. 

At around 10:15pm, I hopped on the 1s and 2s. I was a little nervous -- I'm not going to lie -- but once I started my first track, I knew it would be all good. The dance floor was packed, and all my loved ones cheered me on. Every time I transitioned to a new song I'd hear a chorus of happy squeals. And when I started my last song and walked on the dance floor, I was immediately swept up with congratulatory hugs and kisses. 

I think it's safe to say that DJ Wunder (my official DJ name) rocked the party. 

After that, the party got even better. My sensei, DJ Stonekold, continued to show off his skills on the decks and we all responded by tearing it up on the dance floor. By the end of the night, my feet were throbbing and my ears were ringing, but I was one happy 30 year old. Thanks to all who made it out, and thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday! It was very, very happy.

Big Event Number Two: Watch The Throne

On Tuesday, I cashed in on one of my favorite birthday presents (from one of my fabulous colleagues): suite tickets to Jay-Z and Kanye West's concert, Watch The Throne. I knew that Watch The Throne was going to be a sick concert, and it was. I was singing/screaming/dancing from the moment Jay-Z and Kanye took the stage, and long after they had left the Staples Center (over 3 hours later), I remained in my chair -- totally blown away by what I had just experienced. I had sweated all my makeup off and totally lost my voice, but even more than that -- I enjoyed a powerful, joyful musical experience. Man, I love music.

Big Event Number Three: PET/CT scans (attempt one)

On Wednesday morning, I headed to Norris to get a PET/CT scan. Before we even got started, I told my nurse about the concert. I knew that I wasn't allowed to exercise the day before a scan (actually, I'm not supposed to exercise 48 hours prior to a scan, but you know I can't not go to the gym for two days in a row so I go ahead and ignore that rule) and I just wanted to be honest.

"I danced," I said with a slightly sheepish smile, "...a lot. I mean...I kinda went crazy. The music took over." My nurse couldn't stop laughing as she walked down the hall to discuss my news with the doctor on call.

I had a feeling that my singing/screaming/dancing/jumping from the night before may have constituted the forbidden "exertion" and, as a result, my scan would be postponed. 

Yeah. I was right. 

In summary, I went so crazy at a hip hop concert that I couldn't get my PET/CT scan the following morning. Yep, that's WunderGlo for ya.

Big Event Number Four: Tim's Farewell Party

Later that day, another party I had spent hours organizing came to fruition. Tim, my best friend in life and at the firm, landed a new gig at NBCUniversal and this was his last week at O'Melveny. Naturally, I was determined to throw him the most legendary farewell party in O'Melveny history. I created a committee of some of Tim's favorite colleagues (I called us the TCFPC (Tim Caballero Farewell Party Committee)), solicited funds from various sources, booked a five-piece mariachi band, picked the menu, ordered a cake with Tim's face on it, made the decorations, drafted the invitation, and let it rip from 4-6pm. 

Tim was blown away by the party and the outpouring of love that the OMM family showed him. Instead of the customary one or two speeches that colleagues make for a departing attorney, I organized a whole line-up of speeches, with even pre-prepared video messages from our friends who couldn't make it to the celebration. I wrapped up the speeches with one of my own (and I'm proud to report that I didn't cry), and led the congregation in a rousing rendition of "Happy Last Day" (sang to the tune of "Happy Birthday") as Tim blew out the candles on his cake.

Tim's party was a huge success, and I was proud to have had a role in making his day so memorable. Honestly, I don't know what I'm going to do without my partner in crime/other half/constant companion at work, but I'm more excited for Tim than I am freaked out for myself. This week was all about celebrating Tim and wishing him well, and I did everything I could to send him off with a bang. That's what friends are for. 

Big Event Number Five: Meeting with Good Samaritan/Tim's Last Day at Work/O'Melveny Holiday Party

In the morning, I met up with some folks at Good Samaritan to talk about a collaboration between the hospital and The WunderGlo Foundation. More on that to come, but let me tell you -- we've got big things planned. Our meeting was fantastic.

Thursday was also Tim's actual last day at O'Melveny. And also our holiday party. You can imagine how busy, fun, and momentous the day was. Now imagine Tim and I hosting the karaoke contest at the holiday party, belting out two songs (R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly" and Usher's "Yeah"), and winning the prize for best duet (we are the reigning champs for the past three years now). Tim and I ducked out after the party and savored a few last hilarious moments in his now empty office. It's the end of an era, but what a run we had. Unforgettable memories and a friendship to last a lifetime. 

Later that night, Timmy flew away to New York (for vacation) and I caught up with the O'Melveny Latino Attorney group at our annual holiday dinner. Why not keep the party going?

Big Event Number Six: PET/CT Scans (attempt two)

This morning (at 7am to be exact), I arrived at Norris to try my hand at that whole PET/CT scan thing again. I had no dancing disclosures to make, and soon I was drinking my barium sulfate drink, getting an IV accessed in my right arm, and getting shot up with that radioactive stuff for my PET scan. A while later, I was laying flat and keeping still as the whirring PET/CT machine did its thing. I won't know the results for a couple of days, but come on -- we all know that it's all good.

So there it is: my week in a nutshell. I also worked, worked out (only when allowed (well, except for the concert thing)), and slept. I laughed, loved, and celebrated one of my best friends and his career at OMM. I got in the holiday spirit and got some scans done.

Right before the concert on Tuesday, I said: "I'm happy to be alive and to be experiencing this." I was referring to the concert in that moment, but now I realize that that sentiment applies equally to every minute of this wonderful life of mine. I'm happy to be alive and to be experiencing this -- all of this.

And now, I'm going to rest.

WunderGlo Turns 3-0

Today, I turned 30. What may seem like a normal rite of passage for most is nothing short of a medical miracle for me. I am alive and well. Very alive and very well.

This gift of life is not lost on me. The love and well wishes I received from literally hundreds of people is not lost on me either. I have everything I want in life -- the best family, friends, and colleagues, a career I used to dream of and still love, a new passion in The WunderGlo Foundation, and a community in Los Angeles that simultaneously inspires and energizes me. My days are infused by great music, food, sports (Go Duke!), and art. My body is strong and resilient. My faith in God and my fellow man is deep and unshakeable. I laugh my butt off every single day. Seriously, it doesn't get any better than this.

My only birthday wish is the only thing I want in life: more of it. And I will fight with every fiber in my body to make sure I have more days in this world than I know what to do with (although, knowing me, I'll always find something to do with my days).

Thank you all for your well wishes. My heart overflows with love and gratitude. I am truly, deeply happy. And I am 30!

The WunderGlo Foundation Flushes Colon Cancer

I am happy to report that both WunderGlo and The WunderGlo Foundation are on a roll.

On Saturday, The WunderGlo Foundation held its second fundraising event --  officially called The WunderGlo Foundation's FLUSH COLON CANCER Poker Tournament and Live Auction -- at my beloved firm, O'Melveny & Myers. Over 70 people attended (we had over 55 poker players and over a dozen spectators), we raised over $5,000, and everyone had a great time. My DJ school, Scratch DJ Academy, was even on hand to provide the soundtrack for the night. I can safely say that the event was a huge success.

As the people poured into the event -- colleagues, friends, and people I'd never met before -- I couldn't help but be moved by it all. It's a pretty incredible thing -- conceiving of an idea for a fundraiser, working day and night to make sure it all goes right, and then the pay-off of seeing it all turn into reality. As I addressed the crowd at the beginning of the event, I couldn't help but feel proud of what we have done as an organization in our few months of existence. I couldn't help but feel insanely excited about what we'll do in the future. 

And I couldn't help but think about how far I've come -- from a newly-diagnosed cancer patient at Good Samaritan Hospital to the president of my own non-profit dedicated to ending the very disease I'm fighting in my own body. Pretty cool. 

So what's next for the Foundation? I will answer that question with another question. Why settle for one event in a week when you can have two? Tonight, we're teaming up with the Veggie Grill at The Grove/Farmer's Market to raise some more money for colon cancer research and advocacy. When folks get their dinner at the  Veggie Grill (between 5 and 10pm) and mention they're there for The WunderGlo Foundation event, we get 50% of what they spend on dinner. Insanely generous of the Veggie Grill, right? That's just the way my pal and Veggie Grill co-founder Kevin Boylan rolls. I'll be there from 5-10pm, and I'm looking forward to seeing who shows up. It's going to be a great time. 

And on the following day, I turn 30 years old. So much for cancer stopping me in my tracks. More like the other way around, don't you think?