Baby Kloee MexStrong and Strategic Positioning

It's been almost three years since this memory was formed, but celebrating with friends at a crawfish boil was just the medicine I needed between chemo rounds. Baby Kloee was about as excited to eat a hamburger as I was to start my next round of chemo! Much like the MexStrong wristband in this picture, I eventually learned that strategic positioning is key to learning how to cope with the stressors that come with cancer healing. It was about this time I realized that I had begun to create my own brand of fighting cancer and everyone around me was part of it!

Baby Kloee doing her best to eat a "strategically placed" hamburger

So Close I Can Taste It

For three years now I have contemplated what being declared "cured" would really mean to me. How would it, if ever, come about? Would such a feat actually be accomplishable? Who would tell me and how would my family react? Both technically and subjectively the concept of being "cured" has weighed heavily on my mind since the spring of 2009.

The search for such a cure has taken on a life of it's own for me. And in ways that I could have never imagined. I now know that my cure will be a life-long journey. A journey that is never ending and always evolving. It is crystal clear that my cure involves much more than my cancer, (or lack thereof) but has everything to do with the people and the love that surrounds me. I have gone from seeing "the light at the end-of-the-tunnel", to waking-up every morning thankful for the sunlight that graces my eyes.

"Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work."

-- Mark Twain

He's right, thunder is impressive, yet its bark is more serious than its bite. We live in a universe filled with thunder. I now only seek the light, for the light holds the truth, as does water holds the body of life.

My confidence for finding complete cure grows each day, and my senses tell me that such a title is both earned and rewarded. Medical and political influences are working with and against me. Luckily, I am a master politician. I'm willing to venture round the world, cater to all parties, to sacrifice and lobby for the causes I value most.

Here I am taking a quarterly M.R.I. of my abdomen and pelvis at MD Anderson. I was happy to joke with the radiologist that I was bringing new meaning to the acronym M.R.I. - Mexican Resisting Illness!

-MexStrong

M.R.I. - Mexican Resisting Illness!

Always Beat Cancer...

I just got a call from my Oncologist at MD Anderson, and they have asked me to help provide moral support to a young man currently going through a very difficult treatment for testicular cancer. It's my first official referral from them, and I am truly grateful to get the opportunity to help someone become a survivor. I hope it's the first of many.

They say, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." I say if the horse is cancerous he better get to drinkin' or prepare for pasture. The thirst for a cure can only be quenched by a true love for life. But a cold cerveza never hurts, Cheers!

Saying Bye to a Benevolent Bully

Today I suddenly awoke to the blaring sound of pulsating beats and thunderous bass. The music was so loud that I practically jumped out of bed. It took me a few seconds to gain full consciousness; as soon as I did I immediately recognized the song. This was no ordinary song to me, in fact this particular song has an enormous amount of sentimental meaning. It is entitled You Can't Bury Me, a track off the latest Mixtape by Austin based Hip-Hop group Dred Skott (Octavis Berry and Reggie Coby).

"You can't bury me, naw not without a fight, you will not put out my life... I am my father's son, he told me don't be scared but be prepared for when the problems come."

Dred Skott  - ATX's Dopest Hip-Hop Duo

I rushed out of my room and into the living room only to bear witness to a house filled with faces of shock, dismay and tears. I sat down on the couch and asked S. Dot, "Hey, what is going on, what the hell happened?" The speakers were turned up to all the way, Tavis' voice rapping in the background. In one of the most ironic moments of my life, he slowly looked at me with despair and replied, "Tha Bully is dead."

Immediately my head sunk into my hands and in an instant my mind began to recall every memory associated with the track. It is not only one of my favorite ever, but more importantly it played a very special role in my cancer fight. Without fail I would listen to this song before each and every chemo session, all 11 rounds. It became a personal anthem of sorts, part of a pre-chemo ritual to psych myself up. I was able to harness a positive message of defiance towards death and use it against my cancer. I am a firm believer in music as therapy and for me this song was no exception.

Octavis Berry was a talented hip-hop artist, father, brother and friend; he was so many things to so many people. His no-fear attitude and bullish approach to his art-form helped to inspire not only me but friends and fans alike. Tay kept it "real"and was larger than life both on and off stage. He always seemed to be the life of any party; his smile infectious.

He was also a founding member and driving force behind Austin's own League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (LOEGz). I have had the pleasure of seeing the behind-the-scenes development of the LOEGz since inception. Over the past couple of years they have risen to become one of Austin's best Hip Hop acts, quickly gaining moment on the national stage. During this process I have become a loyal fan, a good friend and fellow "Gentleman".

Although I had only befriended him a short time after my diagnosis, I had given him a MexicanArmstrong.org wristband to wear in support of my battle. Without hesitation Tavis wore my wristband proudly on a daily basis for a period and for many of his performances. My fondest memory of Tay came several months after I had finished chemo treatments. It had been a while since I was back in Austin and months since I had seen him last. He was wearing my wristband, and out of nowhere he took the time to tell me, "It's like we have the 'old Joel' back now!" His remarks were regarding my rather remarkable recovery after such a grueling chemo regimen. Such a simple and understated compliment meant so much to me; in time I realized he was as much a supporter of my cause as I was to his.

Octavis Berry, Tay, da Bully, Brother, I never got a chance to truly thank you for all of your support over these last few years. I am so deeply honored and humbled to be able to say that we were true fans of each other. Your music is healing and in my experience your heart always more benevolent than "Bully". I'm grateful that I was able to express that to your mother after your funeral.

I know that with your passing you solidify a musical legacy that will live on forever. Under your spiritual guidance, the brotherhood that we call The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen will now launch on to the next level. This weekend the world lost a truly extraordinary soul. I lost a good friend and fellow brother in life. Octavis Berry, thank you for everything. May you rest in the love, laughter and passion that you so selflessly gifted upon us during this lifetime.

WARNING - Explicit Lyrics! We keep it very REAL.

We Gon' Make It!!!

If you'd like more information please visit www.loegz.com . If you'd like to donate please visit www.octavisberrydonations.com. Thank you. One Love.

Road to Recovery: Day 6

Another rough night. They had to put a gastric tube down his throat to extract the bile he had in his stomach. He will have this for a few days, my poor brother. Keeping faith that these bumps in the road will end soon. His strength amazes me during times like these.

Road to Recovery: Day 5

We had a rough night again. He had an incident with a few stitches popping off, but he’s ok. He’s gaining strength each day. Taking one step at a time :o)

Road to Recovery: Day 4

Well as each day goes by the pain gets a tad bit more tolerable. He's reaching success one step at a time, literally. He walked to the nurses station and back with the assistance of a walker and sat in a chair for a couple of hours. Very proud.