The Last Lions

This statistic is chilling. About 50 years ago there were approximately 450,000 lions on our planet. Today there are approximately 20,000.

The Last Lions is a very well done (but sad) movie/documentary about the state of lions in our world. Dereck and Beverly Joubert are the amazing filmmakers responsible for this incredible movie/documentary. Go and see it. Or, better yet, make a donation at:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats/cause-an-uproar/take-action/

I did. I got a cool T-Shirt.

Carpe Diem.

Boca Mar Del Vista Largo

I'm here visiting my "mommy". She had a small medical procedure done and I figured it would be a good time to pay a quick visit. She is doing ok.

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 9 (Round 7)

The chemo session went well. Once again my blood work was fine, my vitals were good, weight stable and my urine was now negative for protein. The meeting with Dr. Schraeder went well and he reiterated how pleased he was with the scans. Pleased with the stability and no spread.

 

If I may, let me explain how a typical chemo day plays out.

 

I usually try and take the 7:30 am time slot. That way if I have to fast for the cholesterol test I don’t get too hungry. A soon as I get to the infusion center they check me in and then get my vital signs. Then I make my way to the chair where my nurse is eagerly awaiting my arrival. After accessing my port, blood is drawn and then urine is deposited in a little plastic cup. I’m then hooked up to a saline drip (infusion). It usually takes anywhere from half an hour to an hour to get the results. Once the results are in (and providing they are all good) the chemo drugs are ordered by Dr. Schraeder and then custom made. That can take up to one hour. In the mean time, I get my pre chemo medication. This includes steroids, anti nausea, antacids, pain and allergy meds. Once I have had the pre meds I get the 2 different drugs (Alimta and Avastin), separately of course. One takes 10 minutes to infuse and the other takes 30 minutes. Another 10 minutes of saline and I’m done. After about three hours I’m unhooked and released like a exhausted carp !

 

Repeat again in three weeks !!!

 

Carpe Diem.

Bitter sweet anniversary

Today is my 3 year anniversary since being diagnosed with lung cancer.

I say bitter sweet for a few reasons. Bitter because I wished I never had a reason to even know about this awful disease. Bitter because it essentially cost me my career and ability to fly (for now). Sweet because I'm still here and not planning on "leaving" any time soon. And Sweet because it has afforded me the opportunity to give back to others and become more involved in ZimKids Orphan Trust.

A message from Governor (Doctor) Schraeder

I just got this message from Dr. Schraeder (The Governor):

"Scans were pretty stable, no new sites of disease, and if anything, pleura uptake slightly less than previous scan.  Overall, I was very pleased with the scan results!  Have a great weekend."

Yeehaa. Another reprieve and I'm bloody excited. Chemo on Monday.

Carpe Diem.

Wednesday March 16th, 2011

Please keep Wednesday March 16th, 2011 in mind. It's Global Giving Bonus day and here is the information:

Bonus Day: March 16!
On March 16, GlobalGiving.org is matching at 30% all online donations up to $1,000 per donor per project!  There is $75,000 available in matching funds on March 16.  Once these matching funds are used, we will no longer be matching.  We encourage you to let your donors know about this opportunity through your own donor communications and by submitting a project report.  Remember: project reports are sent to donors the day after they are approved, so they must be submitted by March 14th to guarantee they will get to your donors in time for the matching day.

In addition to the 30% match, GlobalGiving is offering a $1,000 bonus to the project that raises the most funds that day and a $1,000 bonus to the project that receives donations from the most individual donors!

Terms and Conditions:

•    Matching is applied up to $1,000 per donor per project on March 16, 2011 between 12:01am and11:59 pm EST (GMT-4) until matching funds run out;
•    There is $75,000 available matching funds;
•    Projects must be approved and live on the GlobalGiving.org website by March 15th;
•    Only online donations (credit card or paypal) are eligible for matching.  Donations made by check are not eligible;
•    Donations made on www.globalgiving.co.uk or any GlobalGiving corporate sites (including Nike, Global Action Atlas, etc) are NOT eligible for matching

Carpe Diem.

ZimKids Center plans

Adrian Suskin Center for ZimKids entrance

Activity Gazeebo

Caretaker Cottage

Center overview

Toilets

Carpe Diem.

Important and wonderful ZimKids developments

As many of you know, one of the most extraordinary parts of my life has been my involvement in ZimKids, a registered charity in Zimbabwe that feeds 160 orphans and their caregivers, and takes care of their pressing medical needs and school fees.  Started and run by my good friend Dennis Gaboury and assisted by Tinashe Basa, Sipho Nyoni, Prosper Mohdi and the council of elders, ZimKids works every day to better the lives of these children in Pumula North, one of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s poorest and most underserved neighborhoods.

http://zimkids.com/new/

Being invited to join this worthy organization as a trustee and working to raise money and supplies to positively affect the lives of so many children is deeply satisfying and motivating. On my last trip to Zimbabwe in January, we talked about the organizations' dreams for the future – to someday build our very own Center for ZimKids; a compound with a security fence, a sustainable garden and a number of structures to include a clinic, computer center, performance space and bathrooms, etc. After our visit to see the children of ZimKids going about their activities at Amaswazi Primary school, we took a drive through Pumula Township to look at the 2.5 acres of land the city had deeded to ZimKids. Something absolutely and truly magical happened. My cousin Martin was sitting in the car with us and what more do I need to say. In the most extraordinary act of generosity, Martin committed to provide the funding for the center and to encourage his good friend Marty Schwarz to join him. Thank you Martin and Marty.

Martin has stipulated one condition – that the Center be named the “Adrian Suskin Center for ZimKids”. This "dream come true" has fast forwarded this wonderful organization 10 years into the future. We cannot even begin to imagine the ways in which this Center will impact and positively change so many people’s lives. The first phase of construction will begin shortly. I will be very involved in the progress of the Center and have frequent trips planned to Zimbabwe over the next year to monitor things and assist where needed.

We hope that the grand opening will happen soon after the first of next year (2012). We imagine that it will be presided over by the Minister of Education, the Minister of National Healing and Reconciliation, as well as the Mayor, the Member of Parliament, and Ward Counselor from Bulawayo. Martin and I will be there and we can only hope that some of you may be able to join us.

 

On a personal note, I have to express my profound thanks and appreciation to my cousin Martin. I am so fortunate that he is a part of our family. He is all the things we wish we could be - kind, generous and giving with a giant “heart of gold”.

I would also like to thank Dennis for all he has done and continues to do for this worthy organization. I am proud to call him my friend.

For those of you who would like to donate to ZimKids, Global Giving is having a special day on March 16th, 2011. They will match every dollar donated with 30% of their funds up to $1,000 per donor! So if you make a $10 donation they will add $3 to that donation. There is $75,000 available in matching funds for March 16th. Once these matching funds are used, they will no longer be matching for that special day.

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/zimkids-feeds-zimbabwean-orphans-body-and-soul/

Carpe Diem.

Happy birthday Mike

A very special birthday greeting to a very special son. Who, by the way, is no longer a teenager. Have a great day Mike. We look forward to dinner tomorrow night.

Carpe Diem.

Our friend Johnny

I just spoke to our friend Johnny's wife. It was a very difficult call as they have stopped all his treatment and are just making him comfortable right now. It doesn't take much to figure out what all this means.

Just like the veteran you are, you have fought a gallant battle Johnny. I wish you all the peace and comfort in the world. We will meet again but just not yet, not yet.

Carpe Diem.