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This is the latest “personal message” from Zola. It was filmed shortly after the previous one and his voice was still bad. He should sound much better in future episodes. He continues to make new episodes every few days.

It was good to see Sandra make an episode with Zola. She won’t even let me take a picture of her, but she did great in this episode. She just returned from the latest Israel tour and everything went fine.

Zola is still feeling pretty well but his energy isn’t what it used to be. He tires more easily now. Food often tastes metalic, either from the radiation/chemo treatments or other medication he’s taking. He’s still hitting some golf balls now and then.

Last week, Zola had his last radiation and chemo treatments. This is an intermission for a couple of weeks to see how he’s reacting to the treatment. At the end of March, he will be evaluated to see if they should continue or not.

Zola has handled the treatments very well. He has become fatigued from them but hasn’t had any nausea. He has lost about 1/2 of the hair on his head, though. He has started to have a bit of a rebound now that he’s off the treatments.

Sandra will be in Israel with the tour for a week. Zola has had friends staying with them for some time now, helping Sandra out, and they’ll be there while Sandra is gone.

Zola will continue at his post as long as he is able, and he’s still very able. He continues to make TV shows (four last week and several this week).

Next week’s TV show is another personal episode called “Introducing Sandra.”
And so it goes…

I just saw Zola’s show where he tells of his cancer. It premired this morning on PAX and will be seen on most stations next week. Zola speaks very frankly about his condition and what we all need to be doing in our lives. Time is short—for all of us, and we should be living our lives that way. It’s a very personal episode, entitled “A Personal Note” (Episode V1622).

One thing, though, Zola filmed that when his voice was still bad from the pnumonia and the coughing that goes with that (about 3 weeks ago). He sounded “sick” on this show, but his voice is normal again right now in real life. We were at a deli yesterday and he was talking to strangers, just like always.

Anyway, in case anyone was startled by that, I just wanted to say he’s better now.

Two small lumps (tumors) have shown up under Zola’s right arm around the lymph nodes.  All part of the disease, I guess.  He’s still feeling fine but gets fatigued now and then.

Zola is still tolerating the chemotherapy very well with no ill effects so far. He sleeps through most of the 2.5 hour administration with the help of some Benadryl.

He says he is even feeling a little bit better, like he’s rebounding a bit. But this may be his body getting used to the assaults it’s receiving from the chemo and radiation therapy. His cough is much better also. All in all, he’s still feeling fine and you wouldn’t know he was sick if you didn’t know.

The best part of this for him is no more diet! He is eating whatever he wants—spaghetti, milkshakes, whatever—and loving that!

Zola’s wife Sandra is carrying a “prayer pager.” You can send pager messages to Zola and Sandra to let them know you’re thinking of them.

1. Call [pager no longer active]
2. After the beeps, type your message (see below)
3. Press “#”
4. You will hear another series of beeps telling that your message has been sent.

Here are some message codes you can send (the numbers spell the word on the phone):

• Pray — 7729
• Lord — 5673
• Heal — 4325
• Hope — 4673
• love — 5683
• Cure — 2873
• Praise — 7777
• Rainbow — 8888

Zola is handling the chemtherapy well. It’s a bit draining but he’s basically still fine. He hasn’t had any real problems from the chemo as of yet (stomach sickness, appetite loss, etc.).

Also, they say that while he may loose some hair from the chemo and radiation, his beard should remain!