My doggie

Well, Max is really Robyn's dog but I have claimed him as Alpha!!! This past Wednesday, when I got home, I gave Max a really good greeting and he reciprocated as usual. After the re-introduction he walked off a few steps and collapsed (passed out). He peed himself and I sort of panicked. As soon as I got my wits about me I picked him up and by that time he was coming around. Phew. He seemed fine afterwards. I just had to clean up the piss.

I took him to the vet this morning and after a thorough examination his Doctor concluded that he had just fainted from excitement. I guess I'm going to have to tone down my home arrivals. Sorry Max.

Carpe Diem.

The MouseSkin update

Sorry if this disturbs anyone. Just skip this post! Here is the latest update on the MouseSkin family.

"We have a total of 12 mice. From the initial implantation, there are 9 mice with measurable tumors and another with a palpable tumor. The two mice that were propagated into the next generation are growing tumors but one has not been growing as well. As I mentioned before, we have also propagated additional mice in our facility in Texas. One of these mice had a small tumor starting to grow and last week, it was excised and reimplanted using a process we are hopeful will stimulate faster growth. It is still too early to estimate the timing of when the testing will begin."

From Sara Parkerson.

Thank you MouseSkin family.

Carpe Diem.

Still here

I'm still in New York. Hanging out with Luca (the dog) who has a buggered foot. It's bloody cold out but I still managed to venture out for a bite to eat and a haircut. What a combo! As you can see from the picture, it looks like I'm wearing the latest in a NY designed crotch warmer. It's actually Luca's head.
You're not supposed to text while crotch warming in NY state!!!

In the evening Phil arranged for my niece Hannah, and me to go to see this really cool magician by the name of Steve Cohen. Google him, he is quite famous. The show was really entertaining and quite impressive.

What mundane lives we live in Baltimore. Over the past couple of days I have met some pretty amazing and interesting people. Shakers and movers!!!

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 9 (Round 6) and more.........

Oh joy. But I got to use my new port. No more arm wounds and macheteing. All went well. The vitals and blood work were ok. I'm just slightly anemic and there was a very small amount of protein in my urine ("piss" for my close illiterate friends). I say ignorance is bliss. My doctors weren't concerned at all and the chemo was given as planned.

And then it was off to New York to surprise Phil for her birthday. It was a dual celebration - office holiday party and low key birthday celebration. Well, the surprise worked. Hiding my face behind a dozen red roses (stolen from a blind street vendor - just kidding) I went right up to her and wished her happy birthday. All I can say is, pictures to follow. It was a great party. I met so many amazing and interesting people. Not to mention all the really nice office staff.

Happy birthday Phil.

Carpe Diem.

What the....................

It just snowed 3 inches. What the f%#K.

Carpe Diem.

GlobalGiving challenge

Once again, to all those incredibly generous family members and friends, a million heartfelt thank yous. We did quite well on the latest GlobalGiving challenge ending up in 4th place. Our results were:

177 unique donors
US$24,085 in donations
US$10,860 in GlobalGiving matching funds
US$1,000 in GlobalGiving bonus funds
US$35,945 raised in total

These funds should really help us with the content and quality of the meals the kids are currently getting and help with medical expenses. Hopefully, we will be able to get a small second hand truck. This would be a tremendous asset for us. Eventually, these funds will also help with adding to the number of kids we already assist.

Carpe Diem.

The Power Port

Sounds like something you would find on a computer. Well, not quite. I had my power port "re-installed" yesterday. They tried to use the original site in my left upper chest but the veins were not cooperating so they had to go with the right upper chest. The post op pain is a little rough but as my son says "man up sissy". So I did "man up". Except I used pain meds. I'm looking forward to giving my arms a rest from all the needle poking and prodding.

Carpe Diem.

Thanksgiving

Belated happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating or enjoying the day. We had a really nice day as we had guests from Connecticut. Yes, the Trapplers made the alternate yearly trip to the Suskins. I say alternate, as we go there every other year. Huh! Does that make sense? They arrived Wednesday evening and left Friday morning.

The dinner was fantastic. Thanks Diana and Donna. Oh yea, I am still very thankful and grateful to still be here surrounded by such incredible family and friends.

Carpe Diem.

A note to the Grim Reaper

Dear Grim Reaper,
So far this year you have taken away my favourite dancer Michael Jackson,

My favourite actor Patrick Swayze,

My favourite actress Farrah Fawcett and

my favourite singer Stephen Gatelly.

Just so you know, my favourite politician is Robert Mugabe!!!

Carpe Diem.

Watch out for SCAMS

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck then it's a duck. If emails look or feel suspicious then go with your gut and delete or report them. I have reprinted the email below, verbatim, allegedly from Dennis Gaboury, The founder of ZimKids. What do you think?


"Hope you get this on time,sorry I didn't inform you about my trip in UK for a programm in , I'm presently in UK and am having some difficulties here because i misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money and other valuable things were kept. presently i have limited access to internet,I will like you to assist me with a loan of 1500$ to sort-out my hotel bills and to get myself back home.

i have spoken to the embassy here but they are not responding to the matter effectively,I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me with,I'll Refund the money back to you as soon as i return,let me know if you can be of any help.I don't have a phone where i can be reached.

Please let me know immediately."

Let me say first and foremost that the reason I got involved with ZimKids was because of Dennis and the wonderful work he was doing with kids in Bulawayo. Dennis Gaboury is an incredibly honest, decent and generous individual. Secondly , and just as important, at no time were any funds or donations compromised at ZimKids or GlogalGiving. They just hijacked Dennis's email and tried this idiotic scam that no one fell for. Dennis has since changed his email and has been in touch with Yahoo security.

Once again, to all you wonderful and generous donors out there, thank you. Just be careful!

Carpe Diem.