Saturday, April 5, 2008

I Think I May Have Figured It Out!!!

With the help of my niece Lil, I think I may have figured out the blogging cock-up. Hopefully, you can now leave comments. I am truly overwhelmed (positively) at the number of people that have tried to comment on the blog but where unable to. Just go to:

http://asuskin.blogspot.com

Click on any "comment" button and have at it. I hope. Thanks Lil.

I just want to say good luck we are all counting on you.

Weekends off. You have to love it. It's like having a Monday thru Friday job from 9 til 5. What's up with that? I have never known what that is supposed to feel like. I don't get paid $$$ for this job but hope and pray that I get paid in successfully winning this battle/war and having quality time with family and friends.

Had lunch today with Russ and Diana at Mt.Washington village. Took a drive in the Roland Park area of Baltimore. Very pretty. Home afterwards for a good afternoon nap. Must be getting old. Mike was busy at home with his new PS3 game and Rob was at school probably catching up on weekend football (soccer) games and scores. Max was having a good "kip" as well.

To my good friend from Wilmington, NC who sent me that great Lance Armstrong book. I am embarrassed to tell you that you forgot to say who you were and I have no idea who it's from. This may require some detective work. Thank you anyway.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Radiation Round 8


Thanks Al.

Radiation Round 8 went well, and once again, pretty quick. I now have a weekend reprieve. A bit tired today. I will write more later.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Radiation Round 7

Boring. Today was quick and painless. Just how I like it. I feel remarkably good physically and mentally.

I went for my 1 year post hip surgery check up this morning. Everything looked great as far as the hip is concerned. For those that do not know, last April 30th (2007) I had my right hip resurfaced due to a combination of osteo-arthritis and possible past injuries. Resurfacing is very similar to total hip replacement. I had a couple of post surgery problems that sent me in and out of hospital for the month of May. My frame of mind was terrible. I went from 160lbs to 135lbs. I did not want to see or talk to anyone I just literally wanted to curl up and, well................

Fast forward to now. I very much enjoy talking and visiting with people. My frame of mind, so far, is good. My weight is steady at 160lbs. I know that in the days ahead I may have some difficult times but I will have to soldier on. I'm in this battle to win. Keep calling, keep emailing and keep blogging. When I'm not in the mood I will let you know and I'm sure you all will understand.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Radiation Round 6 & Chemo Round 2

I now understand how cancer is the big equalizer. There is no discrimination between black or white, rich or poor, fat or thin or any other comparison for that matter. It simply is an equal opportunity disease. I also have realized that my life has forever changed because of this. We had an incredible visit, last night, to the Hopewell cancer support house. I know that I will be visiting there a lot. There are simply too many people out there dealing with really lousy diseases that none of us understand or think much about. I was one of those people. I get it now!

Radiation was pretty quick today. I get an xray taken every week to make sure they are "bombing" the correct place. Chemo went ok today. I was there about 4 hours. So far, all is well.

When I see all the people at the infusion center getting chemo I think to myself how much I should not belong to this "club". I simply joined the wrong club by accident! Who do I speak to to correct this matter? Something akin to an incorrect credit card charge. Truth be known, it's like a random selection. It was not because I was good or bad or said something awful and offensive. If that was the case, I would have been doomed long time ago. I'm sure you all understand that I am being very "tongue in cheek" about this. Just my warped sense of humor.

I now have to embrace this club and help myself and others in it. I have to relish the benefits. Hey, there is nothing wrong with free parking. I get it now. I understand my task ahead.

Dinner at Chicken Out. Whoopee.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

How this all came about

I have been getting regular physicals for my aviation career for the last 25 odd years. For the most part 2 physicals per year and that does not even include personal physicals with my own doctors. So how does this happen? Dunno. I have tried to stay in shape and, for the most part, have been pretty successful.

What I'm trying to say in a convoluted, round about way, is trust your body and what it's telling you. To the best of my recollection I started with a mild cough back in September of 2007. It was not bothersome enough to cause me to get it seen to at my doctor. In January 2008 I went to my personal physician and had my yearly physical. Because I had told her of my somewhat persistent cough she had me get a chest xray. Well, the chest xray led to a CT scan which led to a bronchoscopy which led to a needle biopsy which led to a PET scan which.....................well you get the picture.

I was diagnosed with non small cell adenocarcenoma of the middle lobe of the right lung. I then had a media stenoscopy to see if there was any node involvement and to also stage the cancer. There was node involvement (positive for cancer) on the right side of the oesophagus and also a node on the left was involved as well. As best they can tell there is no other involvement elsewhere in my body at this time. My cancer was staged as 3B.

My treatment includes 35 sessions of radiation therapy and six sessions of chemotherapy. Five days a week radiation and once a week chemo.The chemo drugs I am getting are Carboplatin, Docetaxel and Avastin. Now, all you aspiring Doctors out there, go figure it out!

Radiation Round 5

Really quick today. Just the way I like it!!! Took Russ out for lunch to a cool little restaurant in Stevenson Village near the house. Watched Man Utd beat AS Roma in the champions league. How cool.

Tonight we are going to orientation evening at a cancer support organization called Hopewell. I'm a little apprehensive as I'm not sure what to expect. I know this sounds weird but hopefully it will be of benefit to me. Lots of different activities.

And now for something completely different:

Four old retired guys are walking down a street in Baltimore, Maryland. They turned a corner and see a sign that says, 'Old Farts Bar -all drinks 10 cents.' They look at each other, then go in, thinking this is too good to be true. The old bartender says in a voice that carries across the room,'Come on in and let me pour one for you! What'll it be, Gentlemen?' There seemed to be a fully-stocked bar, so each of the men ask for a martini. In short order, the bartender serves up four iced martinis...Shaken, not stirred, and says, 'That'll be 10 cents each, please.'The four men stare at the bartender for a moment, then look at each other... They can't believe their good luck. They pay the 40 cents,finish their martinis, and order another round.Again, four excellent martinis are produced with the bartender again saying 'That's 40 cents, please'. They pay the 40 cents, but their curiosity is more than they can stand. They have each had two martinis, and so far they've spent less than a dollar. Finally one of the men says, 'How can you afford to serve martinis as good as these for a dime apiece?'' I'm a retired Stockbroker from London ,' the bartender said, 'and I always wanted to own a bar. Last year I hit the Lottery for $25 million and decided to open this place. Every drink costs a dime wine, liquor,beer, it's all the same.'Wow!!!! That's quite a story,' says one of the men. The four of them sipped at their martinis and couldn't help but notice three other guys at the end of the bar who didn't have drinks in front of them, and hadn't ordered anything the whole time they were there. One man gestures at the three at the end of the bar without drinks and asks the bartender, 'What's with them?'
The bartender says, 'Oh, they're retired UPS airline pilots.
They're waiting for happy hour when drinks are half price.'

Thanks Al.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Radiation Round 4

Finally, some good news. The brain scan that I had done on Saturday came back normal. What a relief. Now the jokes can fly. I've heard 'em all!!!

Radiation was quick today. We also met with our radiation oncologist Dr. mark Brenner. I am so thrilled he is on our team.

Russ and family just got me the Lance Armstrong book "It's not about the bike". I can't wait to start it. Talking about inspirational.

Good day today.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Our visit with Rob

We (Diana, Mike, Russ and I) went to College park today to pick up Robyn (Rob) from school and take her out for lunch. We went to Georgetown in DC. Rob was thrilled as it gave her a break from her studying. We were treated, by Russ, to an amazing lunch at a really nice French restaurant. Georgetown is a really beautiful part of DC. Lots of shopping and great eating.

After lunch we drove through DC past the White House and other sights. Russ's reaction was typically English. Buckingham Palace is bigger! I guess the traffic was typically English (London) as well. She never commented or complained about being stuck in the touristy cherry blossom traffic.

It was great to see Rob, and all in all, a really nice day.

Oh, by the way, yesterday Man U (Manchester United) demolished Aston Villa 4-0. As you can tell, we are all big time Man U football (yes, football) fans.

*****A BLOGGING LESSON*****

I have had so many questions about posting to the my blog so I will try and explain what I understand as best I can.

Just to read the blog go to:

http://asuskin.blogspot.com

If you go to this link you can read the blog. If you want to leave a comment, question, joke etc. click on "comment" at the end of a particular post and follow the instructions. It appears that you may have to do some kind of registration. If you do register then do as I did and use the minimal amount of info possible. Whatever your comfort level dictates. Please don't forget to sign your comment e.g. Cousin Leroy. Sorry to put you through this.

The other option is to sign in as me. Go to:

http://www.blogger.com/start

In the user name type in asuskin@hotmail.com

For the password use ....................I will email it to you, literally. If you already know it from a previous email etc. then use it. Yes, it begins with a capital B. Once again please sign whatever you add so I know who it's from. Please do not edit any of my posts.

"Just want to say good luck.We are all counting on you". Peter Graves - Airplane.

I may have to look for some temp work!


What makes this so different from a lot of other people dealing with this very similar health issue is that they can usually continue working during their treatment. I can not...........Everything in aviation depends on your physical (medical.) which we have to have every 6 months. The physical is what essentially validates your flying licence. One of the toughest things for any pilot to ever have to deal with is to temporarily stop flying or be "grounded". I say temporarily because I do plan on flying again in the not too distant future. As long as I am fighting this battle I am effectively grounded. When I do return to flying status it means that I have my health back. That's all I hope and pray for every single day.

I have been flying for over 28 years and have reached the pinnacle of my aviation career as a senior captain flying amazing jets (Boeing 757's and 767's) for a fantastic company (UPS). Who would have ever believed this story? "Young Jewish boy from Africa makes it big in America". I could not have scripted this any better myself.

Do I miss my flying family? Of course I do. Do I miss flying with some of the most incredible people you will ever know? You bet. I have met some amazing and wonderful pilots during my 20 years at UPS. Some of the finest airmen I have had the privilege of ever working with. There are so many other people at UPS, that I interact with daily, who are truly wonderful as well. My union (The Independent Pilot's Association) has been great. Very supportive. In some ways I am the luckiest guy around. In other ways, well............not so lucky.