Chemo 27 (Round 7)

It’s that time again !

Carpe Diem.

Thank you IPA Foundation

The following letter will hopefully be published in the Independent Pilots Association’s daily online newsletter (IPNN) and the newspaper (The Flight Times). 

Dear Fellow Crewmembers,

On behalf of Zimkids I would like to thank all those involved with the IPA Foundation for your incredible kindness and generosity. The Foundation has, once again, assisted us with funding our Zimkids Center solar project. This really important project will allow us to operate entirely off the Zimbabwe Electrical grid. It will be a huge relief since it means we should always have electricity - unlike most of the neighborhood, which is without electricity as much as 8 hours a day - but that also we will have no on-going utility costs. 

I encourage you visit our website at http://www.zimkids.com to view the progress of our Center and see the impact your largess has on so many underprivileged children. I cannot thank you all enough. I am so proud and honored to be an IPA member in good standing and an IPA Foundation donor.

With deep gratitude,

Adrian Suskin,

B757/767 CPT SDF &

Zimkids Trustee.

Carpe Diem.

Throat dilation day

Today I am having my throat/esophagus dilated. I’m not going to get into the technicals of the procedure but they basically get in there and stretch my throat/esophagus while I’m under “twilight” sedation. The procedure is at 12:30pm and I’m starving right now ! No food since midnight.

Basically what has caused the restriction is the effects of the residual radiation from 2008. Hopefully after the procedure I should be able to scarf my food down again.

Wait, I did say throat right ?

Carpe Diem.

Package for Mongo

While Rob and Diana went to New York City for the evening I got to hang out (nap) with Baz Gomez (aka Max). He stayed over the night and we did lots of whacky ass wild boy things. Well not really ! We napped most of the time.

Carpe Diem.

Maryland Capitols 3 FC Indiana 1

Yesterday, Robyn’s team, the Maryland Capitols (@MDCapitolsFC), had their first home game, a preseason exhibition against FC Indiana. Last time they played in Indiana after traveling overnight by bus, FC Indiana won so it was a grudge match. FC Indiana scored first after a throw in. However, the Capitols came on strong and had a few good chances. The goalkeeper for the Capitols also made some good saves. Shortly before the first half ended, the captain of the Capitols scored an equalizer. The second half started, and the Capitols took a 2-1 lead shortly afterwards. The FC Indiana goalkeeper mishandled a free kick and the striker scored an easy goal. The FC Indiana players started to lose it a bit. They did a lot of fouling and a lot of diving. Rob entered the game in right midfield in the 67th minute. The Capitols added another through their captain off of a free kick that seemed to deceive the goalkeeper. The game finished 3-1 and overall it was a good win against good opposition.

Carpe Diem.

Zim bush TV

Don’t move ! That’s perfect.

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 26 (Round 7)

And the rounds just keep on ticking by………….

The blood work was all fine and the vitals were good. I’m back to my “fighting” weight of 160lbs. and the protein in the urine test was better (lower) than 3 weeks ago. The 24hour protein test was slightly elevated from the previous 24hr test a few months back but was not high enough to restrict me from getting the Avastin this round. So I got the full treatment ! Alimta and Avastin.

I’m feeling pretty good. Still have those “rough” patches on days 4, 5, 9 and 10. So four out of twenty-one days is not soooo bad. It’s the alternative thats not good !

Carpe Diem.

The IPA Foundation

Once again, I am so proud of my fellow IPA pilots and the Foundation they represent. They have stepped up (again) and assisted Zimkids with another grant. This time for our solar project at the center. I am so honored to be a part of this wonderfully philanthropic pilot group.

Carpe Diem.

A drive around Hwange game park, Zimbabwe. March 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCSoz9hIBFA

Carpe Diem.

Chemo 25 (Round 7)

Here we go again after such a good escape to Zimbabwe.

We have a slight spanner in the works. I will not be getting the Avastin today as the protein in my urine (piss) is higher than usual and higher than it’s been before. It’s nothing to panic about right now. I will do a 24 hour urine sample test and that will give my oncologist a much clearer indication of what’s going on with the protein. So for today, I am only getting the Alimta.

All the other blood work and tests were fine and my blood pressure was good. My weight is slightly down to a fighting 70kgs or 154lbs. Not enough Sadza in Zim I guess. I feel well. Just the usual jet lag as I just arrived in Baltimore 11 hours ago.

Carpe Diem.