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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gestures during a meeting with Chinese businessmen at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006. The picture in the background is the Venezuelan liberator Simon Bolivar.

What in the world is going on with Hugo Chávez?

The Venezuelan President is one of the most talkative leaders and his prolonged silence and seclusion in Cuba following surgery there two weeks ago is fueling speculation about his health.

Government officials have offered repeated assurances that Chávez is recovering well in Havana, but many Venezuelans are wondering if they are getting the true story.

Venezuelans are accustomed to near daily speeches and television appearances by Chávez that can last several hours, even when he’s traveling abroad.

Yet nobody has heard him speak since he talked by telephone with Venezuelan state television on June 12, saying he was quickly recovering from surgery two days earlier for a pelvic abscess. He said medical tests showed no sign of any “malignant” illness.

The only glimpse of Chávez came when the Cuban government released photos of the Venezuelan leader at the hospital with Fidel Castro and Cuban President Raul Castro on June 17. In one, Chávez seems to lean on Raul Castro for support.

Venezuelan officials have limited their comments on Chávez’s health to saying only that he’s recuperating and have provided few details. It is not even clear exactly when he will return to Venezuela.

The paucity of information has fed a stream of serious speculation about the socialist president’s condition as well as outlandish gossip on both sides of Venezuela’s deep political divide.

Some people suspect Chávez has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness such as prostate or colon cancer while others claim doctors botched liposuction surgery and he suffered an infection.

Even before his pelvic surgery, a knee injury forced him to postpone his trip to Brazil, Ecuador and Cuba. These problems have fed speculation about the 56-year-old president’s health at a time when Venezuela is grappling with recurring electricity shortages and a deadly prison standoff.

Authorities have sought to quash such talk.

“In response to all the rumors, I can give faith that the president is recovering in a satisfactory manner,” Adan Chávez, one of the leader’s brothers who is a state governor, told state television Wednesday. “The president is a strong man.”

Adan Chávez added that “it’s not clear” when his younger brother would return home, but said the president is expected to leave Cuba within 10 to 12 days.

Those comments did little to calm the consternation of Chávez supporters or appease government critics who accuse officials of trying to dupe Venezuelans.

“I fear his condition could be worse then than they want to tell us, but I trust in God the president isn’t in danger,” said Magalis Gonzalez, a street vendor who was among about 100 Chávez supporters who attended a prayer meeting in downtown Caracas on Thursday to wish the president a speedy recovery.

The president’s opponents have criticized government officials for providing few details on Chávez’s health and raised concerns he may not be fit to continue his duties as president. The latter idea was rejected by Vice President Elias Jaua, who said Chávez is attending to his day-to-day government duties while recuperating.

In an editorial published Thursday, the opposition-siding newspaper El Nacional complained that “incompetent Cabinet ministers are turning this into a complete mystery or a state secret that creates uncertainty and anxiety within the population.”

“Nobody understands why the state of the president’s health is being hidden,” it said.

Officials say Chávez underwent surgery June 10 for a pelvic abscess, which is an accumulation of pus that can have various causes, including infection or surgical complications. Neither Chávez nor doctors treating him have disclosed what caused the abscess.

Dr. Demetrios Braddock, an associate professor of pathology at Yale University’s School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, said surgery for a pelvic abscess is not usually difficult although complications can arise if doctors discover a digestive disease such as diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis, which is most commonly found in the large intestine, involves the formation of pouches on the outside of the colon. Braddock said the disease can be potentially life-threatening if a perforation of the colonic wall occurs, allowing feces to pass into the pelvic cavity and causing infections.

“Any number of things could be happening,” Braddock said in a telephone interview. “It’s impossible to know for sure without being familiar with this particular case.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Hugo Chávez Silence and Prolonged Stay in Cuba Fueling Speculation about his Health – Fox News Latino

Tags: Prolonged Stay, Demetrios Braddock, Colon Cancer, Raul Castro, venezuelan president hugo, NEW HAVEN

FLORIDA KEYS — Florida Keys visitors now can share their vacation memories and learn photo techniques from experts on a new Florida Keys Photo Adventure website that showcases the island chain.

The site is linked from the home page of the official Florida Keys & Key West tourism council’s website at www.fla-keys.com and also is available directly at www.fla-keys.com/photoadventure/.

Website features include an extensive collection of photographs of Keys architecture, environment, animal and marine creatures, culture, quirks, sunsets, underwater beauty, local color and more.

Participants can submit their images to be displayed in online galleries and learn from professional Keys-based shooters who share how-to photo tips, their favorite Keys locations and best times of day for photo opportunities.

Visitors also can embark on a Photo Quest, a self-drive itinerary that includes several popular sites for photography in each Keys region.

For more information, visit www.fla-keys.com/photoadventure/.

Several Key Largo hotels are offering reduced-rate accommodations for visitors who want to join round-the-clock efforts to rehabilitate two surviving pilot whales convalescing at the Florida Keys–based Marine Mammal Conservancy.

The “voluntourism” initiative is being aided with specially priced $69 (plus tax) per night rooms for visitors who sign up as volunteers. When the traveler completes at least one four-hour shift, MMC representatives will award the traveler a voucher. The voucher is good for the traveler’s stay for up to five days, Sunday night through Thursday night, and must be presented to the hotel to receive the special rate.

Volunteers help with everything from actually being in the water to support the whales (must be 18 or older), to land-based tasks such as answering phones. Shore duties can be performed by teens under 18.

The whales were transferred to MMC in a semitrailer several days after they survived a May 5 stranding off the Lower Keys.

For a list of accommodations and details, visit www.fla-keys.com/volunteer.

A Florida Keys vacation also can be a green vacation. Largo Lodge, located at mile marker (MM) 101 in Key Largo, is the upper Keys’ first lodging property to become part of the Green Living & Energy Education green business certification program.

Largo Lodge offers a sustainable haven and tropical environment on Florida Bay with access to a beach, a wild bird watching area, dock and kayaks. Largo Lodge minimizes water use with drip irrigation and mist emitters for the lush landscaping, designed to shade rooms and reduce energy use for cooling.

The property features nine units that range from single rooms with bath to suites with kitchenettes, sitting room and screened porch.

GLEE’s Green Business Program helps Keys businesses take steps to “green” their operations and build a commercial sustainability network in the Florida Keys.

For more information about green travel in the Florida Keys, visit www.fla-keys.com/greentravel.

Islamorada’s Holiday Isle Beach Resort and Marina, located at MM 84 oceanside, has begun a $10.5 million renovation to create a lushly landscaped, modern tropical resort on its oceanfront 12.5 acres.

The iconic property’s traditional clientele — fishermen, divers and hip young party-goers — can expect 129 of the current 143 rooms to receive makeovers. Nearly half of the room upgrades are scheduled to be complete in September 2011 and the remainder in November 2011. Rooms are to feature flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi.

The vacant Sport Fish Grill, the resort’s main restaurant facility, is to become the first Shula Burger. Named for legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, it is slated for a September 2011 opening and will serve breakfast as well as other fare.

Representatives say new owners Starwood Capital expect to create a “beach resort chic” design, while maintaining the property’s easygoing vibe that dates back to its debut in 1951.

Holiday Isle’s famed Tiki Bar with its hand-carved wood floor is expected to remain, along with the resort’s claim to have invented the frozen rum runner cocktail.

For more information visit www.holidayisle.com.

Florida Keys Sailing Academy has opened in Islamorada, with captain and instructor Edana Long at the helm. There novice sailors and serious students can receive fun-filled training aboard the Cour Volant, a 2002 Jeanneau SO40 built in France.

The academy offers basic through advanced cruising lessons, live-aboard cruises and charters in the waters off the upper Keys. The facility also appeals to Keys visitors with an array of day trips including sailing, sunset and supper with gourmet fare of local and fresh Florida ingredients for Caribbean-inspired dishes.

In addition, the school offers sailing classes for “maiden” voyagers — classes taught by women for women.

After sailing lessons, students can take kayak tours, snorkel the Keys’ reefs, fish and stand-up paddle, exploring the island chain’s natural treasures by visiting various state parks and natural areas and absorbing the region’s history and ecology.

For information, visit www.learntosailfloridakeys.com.

Hall’s Dive Center & International Career Institute recently moved to a new location at 5050 Overseas Highway in Marathon. The new location features a spacious area for equipment retail, repair and rental as well as an expanded full-service classroom for the vocational diving school.

Since 1978, Hall’s has provided regularly chartered dive and snorkel trips to Marathon’s shipwrecks and signature coral reefs, as well as student training from entry level through instructor certification where participants learn how to conduct classes, retail sales and management skills, boatmanship and dive safety, dive equipment repair and specialty diving such as technical and rebreather certifications and underwater videography and photography.

Graduates are placed in dive industry jobs worldwide, including cruise ships, live-aboard vessels, dive resorts, schools and shops.

In the near future, Hall’s expects to install a full-sized swimming pool for training behind the shop. For dive training or charter information, call 1-800-331-HALL (4255) or visit www.hallsdiving.com.

Marathon’s Dolphin Research Center, a nonprofit marine mammal research and education facility at MM 59 on Grassy Key, recently premiered a new in-water program called Sea Lion Splash.

Participating guests stand on a submerged platform for an eye-to-eye and hand-to-flipper introduction to a California sea lion. During a nearly 25-minute session in the water, guests give backrubs, receive a kiss and share other hands-on interactions along with an educational lesson about the physiology, behavior and training of these furry marine mammals.

Sea Lion Splash is offered daily on a walk-in basis for $80 per person in addition to general admission to Dolphin Research Center.

The program is open to people age 5 and older. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied in the water by a participating adult. The ability to speak and understand English is required.

For information, visit www.dolphins.org.

Big Pine Key’s Strike Zone Charters, well known for dive and snorkel excursions to venues including Looe Key Reef and the 210-foot Adolphus Busch shipwreck, is expanding and increasing emphasis on its island excursion and picnic offering for families.

The multifaceted tours are offered at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily aboard Strike Zone’s 40-foot glass-bottom catamaran, and children as young as toddlers can participate with their families.

Attractions include snorkeling in shallow protected waters, opportunities to view aquatic birds, spotting stingrays and sometimes dolphin in the wild, a sample of light-tackle fishing and entertaining narration about the Keys’ history and unique environment.

Participants learn how the individual Florida Keys got their names, the history of the railroad that first connected the island chain with the mainland and interesting facts about the Keys’ birds, wildlife and marine life.

The excursion’s highlight is Strike Zone’s popular fish cookout on an uninhabited island surrounded by shallow water ideal for wading. For kids who don’t eat fish, the captain/chef grills hotdogs fashioned into octopus shapes.

Excursions include snorkel gear, fishing equipment, soft drinks and the fish cookout. Trips depart from Strike Zone’s headquarters at MM 29.5 bayside, and cost $55 per person ($27.50 for children ages 3 to 6).

For reservations and more information, visit www.strikezonecharter.com or call 305-872-9863.

Travelers to the Florida Keys now can make the trip by seaplane following the debut of Tropic Ocean Airways. The seaplane charter company offers both flight shuttle service between Miami and Key West, and Key West–based seaplane adventure tours. Passengers are transported in a Cessna 206 Amphibian seaplane.

Seaplane charter flights between Key West and Miami take approximately an hour and fares start at $199 each way. The company flies between the Miami Seaplane Base and Key West International Airport. In addition, passengers can be transported to and from any waterfront resort in the Keys.

Seaplane adventure excursions are fully customizable and range from half-hour aerial tours of Key West to half-day adventure charters featuring activities such as lunch on a private island and flying to reefs or wrecks for diving or snorkeling.

Tropic Ocean Airways operates as a carbon-neutral company by purchasing carbon emissions offsets to fund clean energy projects. Seaplanes are equipped with high-tech engine monitors that help keep fuel consumption low.

For more information, visit www.flytropic.com or call 800-767-0897.

Visitors looking for a high-velocity recreational watersport can strap in to the new JetLev R200 water-powered jet pack for an exhilarating levitation-like flight. According to JetPack Adventures’ Erik Adams, the Florida Keys are the first venue in the United States where vacationers can have a jet pack experience.

Individuals learn to take off, fly, hover and land and receive a safety briefing, then experience flying with the jet pack under the guidance and observation of a certified instructor.

Students sit on a unicycle-like seat with the pack harnessed to them, wearing a helmet and a personal flotation device, while a helmet radio keeps them in constant contact with the instructor. Two jets lift students and provide forward momentum.

Adams and JetPack Adventures now offer flights with the JetLev R200 at the Galleon Resort & Marina, 617 Front St. in Key West. Cost is $249 per person for a 1.5-hour introductory experience that includes 20 to 30 minutes of actual flight time. Reservations are advised.

For more information, visit www.jetpackadventures.com.

Sundance Watersports, located inside Hawks Cay Resort at 61 Hawks Cay Blvd. on Duck Key, is to offer a similar solo JetLev flight experience beginning in mid-summer. Cost is to be $349 per person.

For information about Sundance Watersports’ flight excursions, call 305-743-0145.

Captain Jack Sparrow and his fictional shipmates are eclipsed by authentic pirates that roamed the Caribbean in “Pirates: Menace & Mayhem,” an exhibition that recently opened at Key West’s Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, 200 Greene St. in Key West.

The exhibit incorporates never-before-seen pirate artifacts recovered from an 18th-century pirate ship, other shipwreck artifacts ranging from treasure coins to 17th-century weapons, documents, illustrations, computer interactives and multimedia components.

Museum attendees can visit a buccaneer pub, hear the stirring saga of Blackbeard’s last fight, meet swashbuckling female pirates and discover the differences between real-life “brethren of the coast” and their counterparts in fiction and film.

The Mel Fisher Maritime Museum also features exhibits of artifacts and treasures from the Spanish galleons Nuestra Señora de Atocha and Santa Margarita, wrecked off the Florida Keys in a 1622 hurricane, and the English merchant slave ship Henrietta Marie — believed to be the world’s largest source of tangible objects from the early maritime slave trade.

The exhibit runs through June 2012, and the museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, visit www.melfisher.org.

Three Key West health practitioners recently united to form Key West Wellness Retreats, providing rejuvenation and relaxation experiences in tropical Key West gardens and other unique venues. Offerings include three-day programs for people seeking renewing vacation experiences and customized single-day courses for conference and incentive groups.

Elements of the three-day program include integrative nutrition with a detox cooking class, medicinal aromatherapy for wellness and healing, intuitive meditation with essential oils, an organic wine tasting and daily yoga on the beach. Participants also discover unusual and off-the-beaten-path locations and attractions.

An autumn retreat is scheduled Nov. 10-13, 2011. In 2012, retreats are scheduled Jan. 12-15, May 10-13 and Nov. 8-11.

Single-day group programs blend entertaining and informative sessions on culinary nutrition, aromatherapy, meditation and yoga. Programs can be customized based on the group’s interests and goals.

For more information, e-mail program co-founder Donna Shields at donna@donnashields.com.

Pearl’s Rainbow, an all-welcome Key West guesthouse that formerly welcomed exclusively women, is undergoing a name change in celebration of its expanded clientele. The award-winning 525 United St. property is now called Pearl’s Key West.

Known for its lively inclusive atmosphere and accommodating friendliness, Pearl’s consists of 38 rooms and suites in five unique Keys-style buildings including a historic former cigar factory.

Attractions include two swimming pools, two hot tubs, on-site massage, free Wi-Fi, concierge service and tropical landscaping with areas for both seclusion and camaraderie among guests.

Pearl’s restaurant, aptly named The Strand, offers full gourmet breakfasts for guests. Also on site is Pearl’s Patio Bar, where libations and casual food are paired with an eclectic menu of live entertainment and events — many connected with Key West’s community calendar of festivals and holidays.

For more information and reservations, visit www.pearlskeywest.com or call 800-749-6696 or 305-292-1450.

For more Florida Keys & Key West travel information, explore the destination’s website at www.fla-keys.com or call1-800-FLA-KEYS (800-352-5397) toll-free in the U.S. and Canada. Keys social media sites include facebook.com/floridakeysandkeywest, twitter.com/thefloridakeys and youtube.com/FloridaKeysTV.

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Airborne and Water Adventures Highlight What’s New in the Florida Keys & Key West for Summer 2011

Tags: Hospitality Recreation, California sea, travel information, Don Shula, equipment retail

Writer: Sheila Morrison on Jul 13 2011.

Acai berry is a well known slim down product but unknown to many persons it is usually use for colon cleanse. The question that bothers numerous colon cleansing lovers is whether this berry is definitely perfect for cleansing. Thus, just to appease the questioning minds of a lot of persons this article will discuss the matter.

It’s a common fact that acai fruit contains high antioxidant ingredient, which is why dieters love using this to lose weight. In case you are not fully aware of the truth that when you take acai berry there is a high percentage that you can boost your metabolism as the antioxidant of the fruit is powerful enough to detox the stomach, which means you clean up your intestine of every bacteria and fecal matter that causes you to sense lethargic.

The acai fruit has already confirmed it is attributes as being effective for losing weight, which the signifies can also cleanse, the colon. Actually, if your purpose is to shed weight and not do colon detox then you can still benefit from the active component of the fruit as antioxidants detox the intestine to boosts the metabolism and shakedown your body fats that have stuck in the inner linings of the tissue.

Right now, if your main purpose is to colon cleanses then you have the assurance that this berry can definitely cleanse your colon method good. You should expect to get rid of out the bad fats, bacteria, free radicals, mucous and other impurities that slow down your most significant bodily function, which is the internal organs.

Colon cleanse is feasible to do in many ways, but take care when choosing the strategy as not every colon cleaner or medication is safe to undertake or drink. You shouldn’t consider the effectiveness if there is negative consequences as there are better items which are less risky.

Keep in mind that since you are cleansing then you are already opening your body to every possibility, and there is no reason for you to further pushed your luck by trying dangerous colon cleanser. The market is full of colon cleanse products, so just consider the safe but also effective and acai berries happens to have both the criteria.

Feel free to take a look at this site about colon cleanse, then definitely check out this new internet site discussing dual action cleanse reviews.

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Lose Weight With Acai Cleanse

Tags: Losing Weight, free radicals, Antioxidants

SYDNEY, July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –Australian biotech company Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd today announced agreement with Quest Diagnostics, the world’s leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, to extend a strategic alliance between the two companies related to Clinical Genomics’ proprietary biomarkers for colorectal cancer and precancerous colorectal cancer tumors. Under the agreement, Quest Diagnostics will make milestone payments to Clinical Genomics for the development and validation of new molecular blood tests for the early detection of colorectal cancer. Clinical Genomics has been awarded payments after successfully achieving key research and development goals. Additional terms were not disclosed.

“There is a growing need for noninvasive blood tests that can aid the detection of colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps in the earliest, most treatable stages,” said Dr. Lawrence LaPointe, CEO of Clinical Genomics. “Quest Diagnostics is leading the industry in developing blood and fecal immunochemical tests for aiding colorectal cancer detection. By extending our alliance with Quest Diagnostics, we will continue to transition Clinical Genomics’ research of colorectal cancer gene targets into clinical testing services for the large, underserved market of the United States and other countries.”

Quest Diagnostics offers a broad menu of colorectal cancer tests, including the ColoVantage(TM) blood test for aiding the detection of colon cancer for patients in the United States, and the InSure(R) fecal immunochemical test (FIT), manufactured by the company’s Sydney-based Enterix Inc. business and available in Australia and the United States.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death of both men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. Although five-year survival for detected early-stage colorectal cancer is about 90 percent, some patients resist colonoscopy and other methods and never get screened. According to results of a recent poll co-sponsored by Quest Diagnostics, three in four people would be more likely to be screened for colon cancer if a blood test were available.

About Clinical Genomics

Clinical Genomics is a Sydney-based biotechnology company formed in 2006 to exploit the patented and patent-pending gene expression biomarkers for colorectal cancer discovered by its founders and Flinders University in 2001. Clinical Genomics continues to work closely with Flinders University and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia to advance the development of products that will improve the detection and management of colorectal neoplasia. Additional information is available at: www.clinicalgenomics.com

Further Information:Dr. Lindsay CollinsonClinical Genomics Pty LtdPh: +61 2 9888 9065E: Lindsay.collinson@clinicalgenomics.com

SOURCE Clinical Genomics

Copyright (C) 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Clinical Genomics Extends Strategic Alliance for Colorectal Cancer Testing Development with Quest Diagnostics

Tags: precancerous polyps, Lindsay CollinsonClinical, Lawrence LaPointe

‘Don’t ignore cancer symptoms,’ warns Guy

12:00pm Saturday 18th June 2011

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“IN early November 2010, the typical man, that is me, finally opened up to my partner Rachel about my toilet experiences.

“Nothing odd or kinky, I promise, but I had noticed, from time to time, some blood on the paper when I opened my bowels.

“Not often, not much, but for long enough to make me to start to wonder.”

After being pressed to see a doctor, a colonoscopy hospital examination found a rectal tumour.

“As I recovered from the sedative with a much needed cup of tea and a biscuit, the surgeon came in and said that the colon specialist happened to be on site, and would like to see me. This specialist was called Chris Cunningham, and he told me he wanted to remove the tumour, the size of a £2 coin, right away – but he couldn’t give me a second sedative.

“At this point I’d like to thank the nurse whose hand I nearly broke squeezing it while the procedure took place!”

Most of his rectum and about a foot of colon were removed in January.

“I spent only five nights in hospital, waiting for some normal function to resume, and overcoming various setbacks such as settling on the right pain relief. When I went home, however, I wasn’t prepared for my weakness, and having to rely on other people.

“I’m accustomed to being very self-reliant and capable. In fact I’m more of a carer by nature, so it was really hard to ask for help.”

Mr Dunkley, 45, who works at Rewley Road, Oxford, said Rachel and friends Bob Speakman, Mike Adcock and Kevin Dell provided vital support.

“They chopped wood, washed, vacuumed, shopped and did whatever other mundane, everyday tasks I couldn’t manage, as well as providing company and cheerful support.

“Rachel and these three selfless individuals made a huge difference to my life after surgery. All the same, I felt incredibly tired and feeble, and worst of all, I began to become obsessed with the way my bowels worked.

“Because bowel movement was so important in my recovery, but could also take a long time, it became difficult to ‘go’ anywhere but at home, where people wouldn’t be knocking on the door to go themselves or ask if I was OK.”

The Fire Fighters Charity offered two weeks at its Jubilee House home in Penrith, Cumbria, which he said provided “vital” emotional and physical support along with the “exemplary” NHS.

“My journey has been a series of fortunate events, as detailed above. If I had waited any longer, I would have had to have conventional treatment, meaning a longer recovery and almost certainly a stoma. I would also be looking at a second operation to reverse the stoma, and more time in hospital. Or it would have been too late…… “Because of the speed and nature of my treatment, I required no follow-up chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and so my recovery was much, much quicker.

“Bowel cancer is the second biggest killer in this country, because people ignore its symptoms until it’s too late.

“I cannot stress enough that if you are experiencing any symptoms at all, don’t hesitate for a single second to make an appointment with your GP.”

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‘Don’t ignore cancer symptoms,’ warns Guy (From Herald Series)

Tags: Fire Fighters Charity, mike adcock, cup of tea