Kevin O’Keefe picks up on the story of Jim Guy, a Virginia lawyer who started a blog, 102704, the day after he learned he had esophageal cancer. As Stacy Hawkins Adams writes in last Saturday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch, Jim named the blog for the date of his diagnosis — Oct. 27, 2004 — and maintains it as a means of confronting his cancer.

As Jim wrote in his first post, titled Everything is Different Now:

“Next week, I’ll turn 40.

“I am a successful partner in a great law firm. I have a wonderful wife and three amazing kids. I’m in a band with a steady weekly gig, and a loyal, local following – we just released our first CD. I live in a very cool 95 year old house in a great historic neighborhood. I belong to a wonderful church in the neighborhood. I get along great with my family. I get along great with my wife’s family. My life is as good as it gets.

“Except for one thing –

“Yesterday, I learned I have esophogeal cancer.”

Jim returned to work June 1. Read some of his blog entries, and you’ll agree with Kevin O’Keefe: “Jim is a shining example of the best in our legal profession.”

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.