What's coming up

This coming Monday is Chemo day. Tuesday I am going to see my Pulmonologist. I am trying to get some help with my breathing. Because of the fibrosis in the right lung it sometimes gets a little tough with the breathing/out of breath thing. No biggie.

The MouseSkin family continues on their merry tumor ridden way. I will get an update next week. It still seems like we will be on schedule to start testing them early next year. The good thing is that as long as the current drugs are keeping things more or less under control then the sense of urgency is somewhat diminished. But with this disease you just never know.

From a traveling perspective, there is loads coming up. Next week in Boca. November in London. December in Israel and Boca. And new years on a boat cruise. I love it. 2010 brings us to South Africa for world cup and somewhere before that, a possible trip to Zim to catch up with ZimKids. If anyone has any trip suggestions please let me know :)
I hope this weather is through Cape Town before we get there. This is a pilot's worst nightmare!

Carpe Diem.

OK say it

OK, say it. I've been a very naughty boy. Jeez, you know how many times I've heard that one!

Yes, I have been remiss in keeping up with the blog but maybe it's a good thing. I have been feeling fairly well lately. People tell me I look good. But in all honesty, who would walk up to someone with a known illness and tell them they look like crap. Come to think of it. Maybe I would. No, not really.

What I'm trying to say in a very round about convoluted way is I am grateful for what I have and how I am doing. I know this sounds weird but I obviously have no choice. There are so many family and friends enduring all sorts of awful stuff. Like I said before, If I have 5 lousy days and 21 good days between treatment I am ahead of the game. Sadly, there is always someone else worse off than me!

Carpe Diem.

What the Toronto trip was aboot

We (Diana and I) spent a couple of days in Toronto and had a jolly good time what. It's always nice for her to visit with her family and it's great for both of us to catch up with old friends.

Our primary reason for the visit was to attend Justin Polgar's Barmitzvah. Justin is the son of one of Diana's oldest (time) and best friends, Suzy. The Barmy was a hoot and it was great to all be together with so many good friends. I keep saying "old" friends and it seems like we should all be in nursing homes but the "old" refers to friends we have know for a very long time. Just like the mates I grew up with in Zim, a lot of the hoser canuck friends are who Diana grew up with in Toronto.

We also spent a lot of time eating out at restaurants that we have been frequenting for the past couple of decades. Damn, we are getting old! I did not get to see everyone I wanted to or eat at more places but there is just so much time in a day. Even in Canada. Til next time.

Carpe Diem Eh.

Is this grin too cheesey ?

Carpe Diem.

I'm in Toronto eh

I am in Toronto right now. All is well! A man of few words :)

Carpe Diem.

A visit to the vet

No, not me. Max. A couple of days ago Max went to the vet for his yearly shots and check up. The good news is he is generally in pretty good health. The not so good news is he has cataracts and is going a bit deaf. What? Not bad for a 12.5 year old doggie. Before cataract surgery he is going to try glasses. It's just difficult for him to put them on and take them off!. In all honesty, I don't mean to make light of his health. We will do whatever is required to help my boy.

Today, we had more fun. Well, not really. On our usual walk through our forest Max got stung by a bunch of f*@king bees. We had to take him to the vet where they gave him a steroid and benadryl shot. I was really lucky not to get stung as I was helping him. He is doing fine now. Quite a tough boy. I now officially hate honey!

The kids are home this weekend from school. So much for the empty nest!

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 6 (Round 6)

Well, a bit of a long day but otherwise a good day. We got there for our 1pm infusion and only got out after 5pm. Normally it takes about 2 1/2 hours. My regular nurse Jen was not there and the person filling in for her was, shall we say, a bit slow! Had to stick me twice to get a vein. Aaargh!

We met with Dr. Schraeder (my Oncologist) and he was very pleased with the last scans. While the malignancy is still showing up in the right lung pleura (fluid) it has diminished slightly. The best news is that there is still no evidence of spread to anywhere else. The 2 drugs that I am receiving every 3 weeks seems to be doing the job for now. Dr. Schraeder even said that if I wanted an extra week during some of the treatments that it would be okay. I can think of one place where I would want 4 weeks off. World Cup 2010 in South Africa!!!

The MouseSkin family is progressing well. There is a chance that we may be able to begin testing early next year.

Carpe Diem.

Weekend in New York

After having a bit of a rough week, Diana, Max and I decided to go to New York to observe Yom Kippur with Phil and How and the family. The added bonus was that my Mom was there as well. We had an easy drive up on Saturday lunchtime and Saturday night we all went out together for dinner. Max and Luca stayed home and watched their favorite show on TV..........The Dog Whisperer!

Sunday morning Diana, Max and I went to Stamford Connecticut to visit Jack and Donna. We had a wonderful brunch with them and great conversations. But the visit was too short as we had to get back to New York in time for the beginning (start) of Yom Kippur. Early afternoon Diana managed to squeeze in a really good dance show thanks to Phil's connections. I managed to squeeze in a really good nap!

On Monday some went to services and some stayed home. Monday evening a couple of Phil and How's good friends and a few co-workers came to break the fast with all of us. After a quick but good, filling meal the three of us drove back to Baltimore. It was a fun and action packed weekend.

Carpe Diem.

Scan results

Overall good news. The disease is still there (in the right pleura) but it has reduced in size and has not spread to anywhere else. This is good as it tells the doctors that the chemo is working for me at this time. I will discuss these results with Dr. Sidransky (MouseSkin Dr.) as well.

Am I cured? Hardly. Am I happy with the results? Yes, of course. As long as we can "manage " this disease I will be a happy chappy. We will see what the future brings and what the MouseSkins will tell us. Until then................

By the way, the Man U shirt with AIG on the front is a sponsorship arrangement. In no way do I support or condone AIG's business practices!

Carpe Diem

Scans today

I had my scans done first thing this morning and am awaiting the results!!! I've had a really bad stomach ache for the last 4-5 days. Hopefully, all they will tell me is that I am full of sh$t. I've been told that before.

Carpe Diem.