An Eventful Extended Weekend

I just got back home from Vegas, where I spent four fun-filled days with Will, my mom, and Winston. I watched dozens of basketball games (literally), ate delicious vegan food at the Wynn and Encore, won and lost money with slot machines and roulette, and had a great time with my nurses and my pup. I also noticed a change in myself. My appetite got much bigger this weekend, my wounds bothered me less and less, and everything else pertaining to this body of mine seemed to get better and stronger by the day. Some of my best recovery strides were made when I wasn't even paying attention. 

Today, my beloved Blue Devils won a nailbiter against a tough Michigan team. The game came down to the wire, with Michigan's star player missing a shot that would have sent the game into overtime. The ball clanked off the rim, Nolan snagged the rebound (of course), and the buzzer sounded. Relief and joy swept over me at the same time. Winning that game meant that I will see my Duke team again, in person -- on Thursday to be exact, when they play in Anaheim. 

It wasn't just the fact that I'd see them play again that made me so happy. Next Thursday isn't just a big day for the Devils -- it's the day I get my next round of chemo. I had my heart set on the fact that, along with my team, I'd be getting ready for game day. I believed that these next three months of chemo would get off on a meaningful, inspirational start if the first day of treatment ended with a Duke basketball game. I would remember the game and the way our guys played as I barreled through this last part of my cancer-crushing journey.

I got my wish. Game day is set for next Thursday. I'll be there, and so will the Blue Devils.

When a Warrior Falls

Part of being a part of the cancer warrior family is feeling the loss that much more profoundly when one of your fellow warriors succumbs to the idiotic cancer.

Before my diagnosis, I mourned the loss of my grandfather and my mom's best friend, two incredibly phenomenal people who were taken from us by cancer. Not a day goes by when I don't think of them.

But now that I'm a part of the cancer warrior family, I aim to avenge their deaths by killing all the cancer that dares to live in my body. And when a fellow warrior falls now, I take it very personally.

I felt that way a few months ago when the brilliant, incredibly strong Elizabeth Edwards passed away. And today, when I learned that the former Secretary of State and former Chair of O'Melveny, Warren Christopher, was taken by cancer.

Warren Christopher, known as "Chris" by those at the firm, was the guiding light of O'Melveny, a true giver and someone who all of us at OMM respect and admire deeply. I am always proud of the fact that Chris was an O'Melveny partner. He was a perfect example of our firm's values. He still is. We will miss his wisdom, his leadership, and his light.

And as for you, cancer, I dedicate my thorough beat down of you to those cancer warriors who have touched me the most. This one's for Grandpa K, Patty, Elizabeth Edwards, and Chris.

One Big Family (of Warriors)

Since my diagnosis, I've felt a distinct and total kinship with fellow cancer warriors that has only grown deeper as time has passed. It makes sense, of course. Although we cancer warriors walk different paths and have different circumstances coloring each of our lives, there is much we share. We've all had those moments when we think -- holy cow, I HAVE CANCER. We've all endured similar medical experiences -- chemo, surgery, CT scans, barium drinks, blood draws, and portacaths. And we all share the ultimate goal of beating cancer and getting back to our regularly scheduled lives. 

It's always such a pleasure to meet other cancer warriors, whether at Norris or through the blog or, most recently and most unexpectedly, through Twitter.

My newest cancer warrior friend is Stuart Scott, the famous ESPN analyst, a UNC alum (cue the boos), and an awesome guy who knows his stuff about sports. Naturally, I follow him on Twitter and look forward to his insights on all things college basketball. The other day, Stuart was talking about which players should be considered for National Player of the Year, and he failed to include Nolan Smith in the conversation. As in, the Duke captain that brings tears to my eyes. As in, the ACC Player of the Year and the National Player of the Year according to Fox Sports and Yahoo! (and those are just the early awards -- more will be on the way). Clearly, I was going to call him out. I responded to his tweet, pointing out that he had forgotten Nolan, let him know that it was a serious error, and accused him of an anti-Duke bias given his UNC roots.

Strangely enough, our friendship grew from there. After chatting about hoops for a bit, I changed the subject to another passion we share: beating the hell out of cancer. I congratulated him on his most recent surgery and told him about mine. I told him about the blog and we discussed how both of us hit the gym right after chemo treatments. Soon, we realized that even though we'd never want each other's basketball team to win, we were actually teammates. And that's what we call each other now. I mocked him after he tweeted his support for Hampton (the team that Duke beat by 42 points today), and he responded with "'sup teammate?" I told him that I'd recently seen him on SportsCenter and added, "Looking good, teammate!" 

Even though it's an idiotic disease, cancer does bring together a community of passionate, life-loving, strong people. We are the cancer warriors. Together, we show what the human spirit, the human heart, and the human body can achieve. 

I'm blessed to belong to such a family of warriors.

Sushi, Vegan Style

Although today had many highlights, the highest highlight would have to be the dinner I ate tonight. We (Will, my mom, and I) went to a Japanese/Peruvian/Brazilian restaurant (how that trio of ethnic food goes together is beyond me, but it worked) at the Palazzo. I had been craving sushi for months but was a little nervous about having sushi without the fish. Would it be a major disappointment? Would I cheat and sneak a piece of yellowtail? And what about spicy tuna rolls? In my pre-diagnosis life, I was a sushi fiend. It was one of two foods I mourned when I realized that I would be a vegan for the rest of my life (the other was cheese in all of it's beautiful forms). I figured that I'd just have to close the book on my favorite food and try not to look back.

My foodie fears and anxieties were unfounded, I learned tonight. My sushi dinner - consisting of an avocado and jalapeno roll, a cucumber roll, and a veggie roll (composed of mainly root vegetables) - was incredibly delicious. The pop of the wasabi, the crunch of the veggies, that perfect combination of soy sauce and rice -- it was all there, and it was all vegan. I ate more than I've eaten since my surgery, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Sushi is still the same. And I'm already hungry for more.

In the Homestretch

Dear readers, I've got some important news to share: I think I'm in the healing homestretch. My wounds are closing up fast, my bowel movements are nothing short of stellar, and I'm feeling great. I've been completely off pain meds for a week and a half and I'm drinking green juice and eating like a healthy vegan every day. My energy is up, my spirits are even higher, and it's safe to say that I'm mentally and physically prepared for chemo next week.

But before chemo -- my final round of cancer annihilation -- begins, why not make a quick trip to Vegas? That's exactly where I'll be starting tonight until Sunday -- watching the NCAA tournament (GO DUKE!), playing a little roulette, relaxing, and loving life. A grateful, happy cancer warrior basking in the glory of life and enjoying all the fun it has to offer. I've already won big, and I haven't gambled a dollar.