Merry Christmas and an Update on My Real Life Battle

Posted on 25 Dec 2022 by videogamersadvocate

First of all, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I hope that no matter where you are, as you are reading this post, you are able to have a great day with your family and loved ones. There seems to be a lot of turmoil going on in the world, but even in the midst of that, I hope today is one that is filled with laughter and memorable moments.

So where in the world have I been all this time? This year has been something else. Just when I thought I was working through the health issues I had earlier in the year, a huge bomb was dropped on me in early September. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. To say that it has been a life-changer would be an understatement. I’ve been away for months getting used to this new predicament. Along the way, I’ve been rehabbing my hands and wrists, which for some reason were injured the month before in August. To be able to type this shows how far I’ve come since then because I went through a period where I could do next to nothing on a computer and couldn’t game at all.

While some days can be challenging, I feel at peace about my situation. I hold to my faith in Jesus and have witnessed God sustain me for the last 10 years in all sorts of different ways that no one would be able to pass off as a coincidence. I’ve had multiple situations where I would not be here even posting this if it were not for Him. With this cancer, I plan to fight and do everything I can to overcome it and put it into remission. I’m thankful for the City of Hope, which has provided outstanding care for me. I’m on a targeted therapy where I take pills without the side effects that I would have experienced on conventional chemotherapy. Thank goodness for things such as gene testing. That specific test and the results allowed me to avoid infused chemotherapy and radiation. One of the most important things in something like this is a support system. My family and friends have come through for me in a major way.

Going through something like this really puts a lot of things into perspective. The first is one’s own mortality. And when you truly come to the realization that this life is temporary, it can make you start wondering what you are doing with each day that you’re given. What is really important at the end of it all? It shouldn’t take such a life-altering event to consider that question, but that is what tends to happen to us as human beings. It’s when things don’t go well that we are led to ponder things beyond our existence and our purpose for being here. As a follower of Jesus Christ, my focus has become more on Him as I take this journey. I’m still playing video games, but nowhere near as frequently as I used to. There are things more important than gaming.

I’ve switched to a plant-based diet and have seen amazing results. Not only did I lose 10 pounds, but I have also been able to discontinue multiple medications since I started this new way of eating. The first two weeks were tough as my body went through sugar withdrawals. During that time, I didn’t even want to eat but I forced myself to anyway. My body began to really take the food during the third week and I now look forward to each meal. There is a lot of prep involved because I’m typically preparing fresh vegetables to either cook in a wok or to create a giant salad. If the sugars aren’t naturally within the fruit, I won’t eat it. Because I’ve removed the table and what I refer to as “unnatural sugars” from my diet, things like bananas, raisins, and dates have become much sweeter. My palate has changed. I also steer clear of dairy, flour-based products, and any other refined foods. What we eat is so important and it is a shame that many of the foods we grow up enjoying (and that are constantly advertised to us) are devastating to our bodies.

Overall, I’m optimistic about my predicament while taking things one day at a time. There are good days and there are days that are rough. The toughest days were the ones within the first weeks of my diagnosis. But I’m much more settled now and when there are days that it is more challenging to breathe, I know I will get through it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I appreciate all of you who have taken the time to check out this website and truly wish that my posts were still gaming-related rather than giving health updates. But that is not my reality. In the meantime, I will keep doing what I can to give myself the best chance to put this cancer into remission. Happy gaming and above all, make sure you’re taking care of yourselves.

-Lando Rigs
admin@videogamersadvocate.com

Category: Uncategorized

4 Comments on “Merry Christmas and an Update on My Real Life Battle”

Paul Bowler
26 Dec 2022

Hi Lando, and great to hear from you. I can only imagine what you’ve been through since your diagnosis. You are facing this challenging time with great courage and strength, you are an inspiration to us all. I’ve been in hospital for an operation recently, all went well, so I’ve been spending my Christmas recovering. You’re right, health matters certainly put thing in a greater perspective, and taken this time to rest, recover, and just take a bit of a step back to concentrate on my health and family. Take care my friend, you are always in our thoughts.

Reply
- videogamersadvocate
  26 Dec 2022
  
  Thanks for the kind words Paul. I will continue to fight and do whatever I can to overcome this but everyone’s support has been fantastic.
  
  Reply
Berkay Odabas
1 Jan 2023

Hi Lando, I don’t know how I ended up here. Normally I don’t follow this blog but somehow I’m here now. I’m so sorry about your challenges and wish you a great life ahead. I hope everything works out your way.

Reply
- videogamersadvocate
  2 Jan 2023
  
  I appreciate your encouraging comment, Berkay. I hope the best for you as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
  
  Reply