August summary

During August I spoke at a several clubs but the my main time, early in the month, prior to my bleeding adventure, was taken up by planning for Zone and working with the District Training Team.

The District Training Team met twice and things are coming along nicely. A lot of the redundancy we've had in past years is being removed, in fact an entire meeting date has been removed - which the members will appreciate. We have a suggested list of subjects President Elects should have knowledge of before taking office. We are waiting to see the final PETS curriculum so we know what we have to cover at Pre PETS, Leadership Training or during the District Breakouts at PETS. That information should be made available to us at the Zone Institute next month.

I was asked to set up a dinner at Zone for my classmates, those that will be Governor in 2012-2013. I have contacted everyone and have a tentative count of 48 DGNs and their spouses or significant others. I thought I was just about done with the planning when I was asked to also host a hospitality room for my class. Zone will upgrade my room to a suite at no charge to me and I just need to pick up some wine, beer, soda, water, snacks and paper products and keep the room accessible during down times. Our class and the DGE class and we will buy stuff together for the quantity discount, haul it down to Naples and set up the room.

The reason I have been asked to do these two jobs is because it is my district that is hosting the Zone Institute. It adds a little work but I am really looking forward to meeting my classmates.

Blood Drive

I organized a blood drive for August 7th where we had a foundation willing to donate $50 for each pint given, to Rotary's Camp Florida. I was not happy with the results as we came in well below our goal, but we did raise $3100. Hopefully the sponsoring foundation will give us another shot at it next year. I have always believed in giving blood, and am a regular donor, but after needed so much blood myself it has a whole new meaning to me. Donors saved my life.

Conference Venue???

July 22nd was kind of exciting as we went to a tour of the venue my District Conference Committee chair has recommended. We looked at the different room options, areas we would use for meetings and meals, conference check in and the areas to be used for fellowship and fun. It is an older venue but well respected in the area for both hospitality and good food. We have nearly three years to get things set up but this was a very nice start. Did we hit the jackpot the first time?

Rotary's Camp Florida - Capital Campaign

After speaking to a club during lunch I drove up to RCF for our monthly board meeting. The camp is beginning a $3M capital campaign, half of which will be used to build a new dining hall, the rest for a list of projects that are on the shelf right now. I only mention this because my club and its members furnished the technology for the campaign. One member donated an all in one printer/fax/scanner, my wife and I donated a color laser printer, and my club donated a new computer, set up the way they wanted it. I really am proud of my little club. They accomplish a lot.

August....tough month

In August I decided to see what if feels like to nearly bleed to death and I must tell you, it isn't very enjoyable. A major blood vessel in my colon opened and things went pretty quickly. Within minutes I had lost enough blood that I was getting light headed. Home alone, I was still able to dial 9-1-1 and get help. Another first, my first ambulance ride. We were part way to the hospital when the paramedic told the driver to "Light it Up" as my blood pressure tanked. I continued bleeding heavily in the Emergency Room as they scrambled to find both blood and an on call gastoenterologist. It seemed to take for ever. Finally they wheeled me into a procedure room, which they had to unlock first, and performed an emergency colonoscopy. It had been such a rough time that I told the doctor I was actually looking forward it just for the drugs that knock you out. He burst that bubble by telling me my blood pressure was way too low for the drugs. He closed the vessel with four titanium clips and I was moved to Intensive Care where they continued to push blood back into me. The doctor described my blood loss as "massive".

Once stabilized they gave me one additional unit of blood, bringing my hemoglobin up over 9 and sent me home to regrow the other 4-5 missing pints.

So I am finally back to my computer, albeit for short periods, and what better thing to do than catch up my blog. I will got back through my calendar since my last post on July 18th and bring this thing back up to date.

Sorry for the disruption. Doc says I should be pretty much back to normal a month from now.