The thousand faces of Zimbillybob

Carpe Diem.

Happy birthday to me

I never dreamed that getting "older" would be so cool. My perspective has totally changed. Every one of my birthdays is even more special now. I hate doing these generic all inclusive thank yous but.........Thank you all for the birthday wishes and for making this day even more special. Lets do this again (many times) please.

Carpe Diem.

Hwange and Vic Falls

I finally added pictures (video) from Vic Falls and the Hide in Hwange from July 12th and July 14th. Sorry about the dorky music.

Carpe Diem.

Squirrel hunting

More testosterone fueled activities. Gonna go squirrel and varmint hunting.

Carpe Diem Ya'all.

P.S. You know I'm kidding, right ?

Bring it on

There is a possibility that I may not have to go on the combo chemo. Dr Schraeder looked at the actual scan films and not just the reports and will be consulting with his team and Dr Sidransky. Either way I am ready. So bring it on !

Diana and Robyn went to Toronto to watch the Rogers Cup tennis this weekend. I think they are going to see Federer and Djokovic today.

Mike and I did dinner last night (Japanese) and today we are seeing the movie The Expendables (real guy movie). Tomorrow maybe the gun club. Gotta fuel that testosterone.

Carpe Diem.

My inner workings

Just to catch you up on the latest inner workings of Count Rastus Pushkin (that's me). It appears that I will more than likely have to go back on the chemo and biological therapy (Alimta and Avastin) starting August 30th. Without getting too technical it seems that the latest scans weren't quite up to my usual high standards. I'm not trying to be flippant or cavalier about this but it's just the easiest way for me to deal with the latest developments.

Basically, this has to be managed like a chronic disease. The Alimta/Avastin combo appears to keep the bad sh*t at bay and that’s exactly what it has done in the past. I went off the combo back in January 2010 and just remained on the Avastin until now. So I had an 8 month holiday and now it's back to business. I tolerate the combo quite well so it's time to "man up" and get on with it. Nothing changes except the fact that I will now have to squeeze the treatments between all my travel dates. And believe me, the travels continue. Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Tel Aviv and then on to Zim at a later date. Who knows where else. Any suggestions ?

Like I said before. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why they call it the present".

Carpe Diem.

The Governor called

Well, I did get the call and here is where we stand.

I talked to Dr. Schraeder yesterday and what he wants to do is look at the actual films of the PET/CT's from January and August and determine, together with his team, what exactly they see and what the course of action should be. I also talked to Dr. Sidransky this morning and he seems to think that starting up the Alimta again in conjunction with the Avastin is the best course of action right now. Dr Schraeder and Dr. Sidransky are in touch so I am sure they will come up with a good unified course of action.

I will more than likely have to go back on the Alimta and Avastin chemotherapy combination starting at the end of August. I generally tolerated this combo well and it seemed to be quite effective at keeping the bad stuff at bay. So we know it works! Overall, I had a "nice break" and now it's time to "man up" and get on with the treatment and look forward to the next "nice break".

Carpe Diem.

To Robyn

Happy birthday to the most wonderful daughter a father could ever wish for.

21. Wow.

We had the most incredible time together at World Cup and I look forward to spending many more World Cups with you. Maybe mom and Mike will join us :)

Carpe Diem.

Lots going on

Still no call from Governor or for those that are thoroughly confused, no results yet from the PET/CT scan.

But lots going on. I just heard from a lady at the American Cancer Society here in Baltimore and I will soon have a job. I finally did what my parents told me to do many years ago. "Go get a job". I will be driving chemo patients to therapy a couple of days a week. No, I'm not doing this for money. I'm volunteering. How cool is that ?

Also, there has been lots of positive developments with regards ZimKids in Bulawayo. Jen, my oncology nurse has been collecting medical supplies and other assorted stuff for the children and also for the doctor who takes care of the children pro bono. Jen, along with many of her co-workers, friends and family, has collected an amazing amount and array of stuff. A lot of the medical stuff will also go to a private hospital in Bulawayo.

On a sad note, I would like to wish the Jenkins family well and offer my condolences. Rosh, a fellow UPS pilot, husband to Julie and father to Brandon, Tyler & Hannah passed away recently after a valiant battle with cancer. Blue skies and tale winds Rosh.

Carpe Diem.

Bio 9 (Round 1)

This morning I had my PET/CT scan. I was out of there in about 2 hours and then went for my Avastin infusion.

Vitals were good, weight is stable and the blood work was all fine.

Now it's hurry up and wait for the call from the Governor !!!

Carpe Diem.