Duane Bailey-Castro is the ultimate mAss Kicking renaissance man.  His blog “The Journal of a Prizefighter” depicts his journey as a young male battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  It contains many links to blogs of other “Prizefighters” battling cancer as well as resources for young adult, lymphoma, and stem cell transplant patients.  His love for New York sports teams and quest to educate others walking a similar path are infectious.  No pun intended.  Educated in Classical Studies, History, and Middle Eastern Studies his blog is well researched and organized.  He was kind enough to answer a few questions we had for him.

 

 

mK: What/ when was your diagnosis?

Duane:  I was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 23 in November 2003.  After both standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I was in remission and all seemed fine but then, it returned in August 2005.  After an autologous stem cell transplant, all looked well again but once again, the cancer returned.  In August 2007, I received a non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplant and after just 5 months, my doctor is optimistic and I’m doing quite well so far. 

mK: Who is your hero/heroes/ who do you look up to?

Duane:  My parents for their endless love and tireless work to provide for my sister and me as well as those close family friends who have helped my family and me as I have battled cancer.  


mK: What motivates you?

Duane:  Imagining myself well again and doing those things, such as traveling, which I’ve missed ever since my original diagnosis.  For many years, it has been my dream to travel to Glacier National Park in Montana and explore the western states, such as Oregon and Washington.  When I’m well again, making it out to Glacier will be one of the first things on my to-do list.


mK: When was the first time you felt like yourself?

Duane:  After my most recent stem cell transplant, it was when after a few weeks following my discharge from the hospital that I first strolled across a neighborhood bridge.  Though it was my intention to walk across this bridge solely for exercise after having spent about three weeks in the hospital, the walk across turned out to have much greater significance.  The pleasant weather, the sight of the calm river, and the act of walking itself from one neighborhood to another was such an escape for me.  It gave me a sense of traveling, something that I had done extensively in the past and which I missed dearly since my diagnosis.  

mK: What makes you laugh, cry, angry?

Duane:  Laugh?  The television shows, Family Guy and Curb Your Enthusiasm

Cry?  Organ Music

Angry?  Injustice and intolerance

mK: You can tell a lot about a person by how they respond to certain questions. Quickly… Choose one… no explanations.

mK: Star Wars or Star Trek? Duane:  Star Wars
mK: Apples or oranges? Duane:  Oranges
mK: Comedies or Dramas? Duane:  Comedies
mK: Football or baseball? Duane:  Baseball
mK: Movies or books? Duane:  Movies

mK:  OK, let’s see how far off we are… Are you a spiritual, health conscious, fun-loving, intellect that likes to be entertained?  We just made that up!  Correct?

Duane:  Yeah, pretty much.  


mK: Hahaha!  Cool.  What do you like to do in your spare time?

Duane:  I enjoy playing video games, reading, watching TV, and visiting museums.  


mK: What are you doing now?

Duane:  As it is only five months since my stem cell transplant, my activities are restricted out of concern for getting sick especially since it’s the flu season.  Consequently, I spend a great deal of time home working on my blog, reading, and of course watching TV.  However, when I’m outside most of it is spent devoted to photographing the Harlem River bridges – the bridges between Manhattan and the Bronx – and other points of interest along this NYC river.  My passionate interest in photographing the Harlem River and its bridges was developed with that first walk across the river in the weeks following my discharge from the hospital and it hasn’t stopped since.  I hope to showcase some of my photographs at my hospital’s upcoming patients’ art show and if this project continues well, even try to turn my project into a book.

mK: How long do you have those restrictions?

Duane: Well, my doctor hasn’t given me a definite date yet, but I think that once the flu season passes some of these restrictions, such as wearing a surgical mask in public and staying away from crowds, will be lifted.  


mK: Advice for people that get daunting diagnoses?

Duane:  Learn as much as you can about your disease.  Take it upon yourself to be your best advocate.  Join community and/or online cancer groups for more information and support.  For me, a better understanding of what I was up against made me feel more comfortable about the difficult decisions that I had to make.  Try meditation, yoga, massage, and/or talk therapy as ways to alleviate stress.  Also, welcome help – whether great or small – from your family, friends, and strangers.  It will make a world of difference.  


mK: Tell us something people probably didn’t know… anything

Duane:  As a kid, I never really learned how to ride a bicycle well but I’m working on it.  


mK: Any parting words for all the mAss Kickers?

Duane:  Kick the mAss.  Don’t let the mAss kick you.  

mK:  Thanks Duane.  We’re sure your future travels will take you to great places.  Check out his blog Journal of a Prize Fighter .