Rio.......day 1 and 2

We got into Rio early Friday morning. Our host Marques picked us up at the airport and drove us to the apartment in Copacabana where we were staying. Literally two blocks from the beach. We had a nap before heading out for our favela tour at 2:00. We were in a group with about 10 others. Our guide and driver were from the favelas. We got to see 2 different ones. The first was Rocinha which is the biggest in Rio. The second was much smaller.

We ate dinner at a churrascaria. The picaña was fantastic and a serious overdose of meat was consumed!

Saturday we went in the morning up Corocovado mountain to see Christ the Redeemer. It was raining in the morning and a bit cloudy when we got up there. When the clouds lifted the views were fantastic! In the afternoon we went to see Sugar Loaf mountain. The line was really really long but we did make it up to the very top in time to see the sunset. We had some very cool views of Rio at night and it looked beautiful. You could catch a glimpse of the redeemer statue that was lit green and yellow for Brazils match tonight. We were able to catch the end of the match at a restaurant. Each restaurant was packed with people watching the match.

Sunday is the big one! We will have nice weather so were going to Copacabana beach in the morning before heading to the Maracanã to watch the final!

Carpe Diem.

OK. So I was wrong

How about.......... off to the World Cup Final in Rio De Janeiro to watch Germany play Argentina.

Carpe Diem

World Cup 2014 Brazil

Wednesday NY. Thursday Rio. My "half" guess. Germany vs Netherlands with Germany to win 2-1.

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 5 (Round 9)

Back to the "Spa" this morning for another poisoning.

I HAVE A Request if you will please read this

I am once again trying to raise funds for Zimkids and their vocational program. Over the next short while I am prepared to match any donation to Zimkids that any of you make up to US$2,000. NO, THIS IS NOT A SCAM. You can email me privately with your pledge and I will explain what I propose to do. If you are happy with what I am doing then you can go ahead and make the donation. If you want to remain anonymous then let me know as well. THANK YOU.

asuskin@hotmail.com

Carpe Diem.

Upcoming trips

Squeezed between chemo treatments.

Rio De Janeiro July 10th until July 14th. World Cup FINAL.

Zimbabwe August 7th until August 20th. Need I say more?

Carpe Diem.

This is what you do when you don't have a job

Or........you are on medical leave.

Carpe Diem.

World Cup 2014 Brazil starts today

Why is this so special you ask? Other than the fact that I love football/soccer!

When I was diagnosed in 2008 I promised Robyn that we would go to World Cup 2010 in South Africa. It was a milestone for me to get there but I did and we had a magnificent time.

Now, World Cup 2014 Brazil has rolled around and once again, I made the pledge to Rob. Well guess what? I'm still "around" and we are off to the FINAL in less than a month.

Need I say more........... 

Carpe Diem.

Biopsy results

I just had a really nice chat with the Doctor at Champions Oncology. The company that did the exome sequencing

Basically, she was pleased with what the results yielded. She explained a few things.

1. The fact the mice transplant tumors did not “take" was a “good” thing and not to be concerned about that. The reason being was that the tumor was not aggressive or fast growing.

2. In the report there is a diagram labelled Genetic Alterations with Established Clinical Significance.  One of the genes called RET showed "Rearrangement". That is the key. That is the mutation that is causing the naughty stuff. She was very pleased that it showed up.

3. The drug used to treat this mutation is called Cabozantinib or Cometriq. It’s an oral medication. It’s supposed to be very effective. 

http://www.cancer.gov/drugdictionary?cdrid=461103

She advised that no changes should be made to my current protocol of Alimta and Avastin until such time as these drugs start failing me!

Carpe Diem………….

Busy week

Just to take my mind off the lousy post chemo days.

Tuesday massage. 

Wednesday sensory deprivation tank.

http://befreefloating.com

Friday driving exotic cars.

The Dream Car Sprint™ - A Driving Adventure by Gotham Dream Cars

Carpe Diem.