Sad news

17 January 2014, 20:14

peashooter

Sad news

Many of you know Russell Caldecott of the ULtimate Lodge in Vic Falls. Russell is now in Pretoria awaiting surgery for cancer. The ten hour surgery is scheduled for later this month, then the Doctors will have a better handle of the spread of the cancer and can remove the tumor. In any event after radiation and possible chemo it will be a long way back. For sure prayers would be greatly appreciated.

17 January 2014, 20:47

Larry Sellers

I stayed with Russell on my very first trip to Zim many moons ago. What a standup guy and first class individual. Wishing him all the best and a speedy recovery. Thoughts and prayers are on the way.

Larry Sellers

17 January 2014, 20:51

Frostbit

Our thoughts and prayers are with him. Cancer sucks!

______________________
DRSS
______________________
Hunt Reports

2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112
2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012
DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191
Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771
Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141
Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141

18 January 2014, 01:41

eyedoc

I also spent some time at Russell's place and found him to be an excellent host. He and his crew catered to all our needs and treated us fair when time to pay our tab.

Wishing him a rapid and complete recovery.

18 January 2014, 02:35

Trapper Tom

Prayers for him. Just found out 2 weeks ago that I have colon cancer at 45. I should be in Tanzania right now instead I start chemo on Monday. I can relate to how he feels. Life changes fast

18 January 2014, 03:05

bcolyer

Just about anyone who has been around a few years has spent some time with Russell at The Ultimate. I know I have spent my fair share of time there. Our prayers and thoughts are with you Rus as you face this challenge ahead. Not many of us know about challenges like Russell has had to deal with. I would have given up many moons ago should I have found myself in his shoes. How do you go from championship sprinter to wheelchair bound - and remain......productive, optimistic, open, friendly, and always have the welcome mat out, when also faced with the absolute overwhelming mess that conducting business in Zim has been for these many years???

God in Heaven.........Rus has been 'manning up' for years on end! I pray he has the courage and heart to continue. Lord bless our friend.

18 January 2014, 03:07

Frostbit

quote:
Originally posted by Trapper Tom:
Prayers for him. Just found out 2 weeks ago that I have colon cancer at 45. I should be in Tanzania right now instead I start chemo on Monday. I can relate to how he feels. Life changes fast

Amen to that!! Thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay strong, march on, attitude is everything.

18 January 2014, 08:40

Molepolole

quote:
Originally posted by bcolyer:
Just about anyone who has been around a few years has spent some time with Russell at The Ultimate. I know I have spent my fair share of time there. Our prayers and thoughts are with you Rus as you face this challenge ahead. Not many of us know about challenges like Russell has had to deal with. I would have given up many moons ago should I have found myself in his shoes. How do you go from championship sprinter to wheelchair bound - and remain......productive, optimistic, open, friendly, and always have the welcome mat out, when also faced with the absolute overwhelming mess that conducting business in Zim has been for these many years???

God in Heaven.........Rus has been 'manning up' for years on end! I pray he has the courage and heart to continue. Lord bless our friend.

Amen to that, Brennan. Russell has been my go-to guy in Vic Falls, and I'm sure for many others here. Russell, I'm praying very hard for you. If anyone can beat this, you can. Just to have the tenacity to keep a successful business running in Zim is an extroardinary accomplishment all by itself. And then add the challenges you've had, and you just keep the door open and keep smiling. I've enjoyed my times spent with you so much, and I plan on many more great times with you extending into the distant future. Keep a great attitude, like you always do, and best wishes for a complete recovery.

Trapper Tom, I'm praying hard for you too. Stay strong, you guys.

18 January 2014, 16:19

JudgeG

I never go to Vic Falls without seeing Russell. I've stayed at Ultimate many times, both alone and with friends (even BColyer!) and my family. That's where I first met David Hulme (who we just lost), booked my first booze cruise, first visited the Falls and recovered from my first climb out of the gorge after river rafting.

All that was fun, but the real reason that I visited (and will again in the future) was because I got inspired by Russ. I expect that he'll continue to mentor me on how to deal with adversity through his battle with cancer.

Go get 'em, my friend!

22 January 2014, 01:23

TerryR

I stayed at the Ultimate Lodge this past summer. Russell is a true gentleman and an inspiration. I had problems with my hunt which I am still trying to resolve. Russell jumped in and help out in a big way. He will be in my prayers.

27 January 2014, 19:49

eyedoc

quote:
Originally posted by Trapper Tom:
Prayers for him. Just found out 2 weeks ago that I have colon cancer at 45. I should be in Tanzania right now instead I start chemo on Monday. I can relate to how he feels. Life changes fast

Prayer lifted on your behalf as well. Here's hoping you are back to 100% in no time at all.

27 January 2014, 20:03

juanpozzi

Colon cancer is one of the cancers where we speak about cure and not paliative treatment ,i operated patients most of them soldiers and hunters that after 10 years are alive and very active .

27 January 2014, 20:13

Saeed

We all wish him the best.

27 January 2014, 20:46

eyedoc

quote:
Originally posted by JudgeG:
I never go to Vic Falls without seeing Russell. I've stayed at Ultimate many times, both alone and with friends (even BColyer!) and my family. That's where I first met David Hulme (who we just lost), booked my first booze cruise, first visited the Falls and recovered from my first climb out of the gorge after river rafting.

All that was fun, but the real reason that I visited (and will again in the future) was because I got inspired by Russ. I expect that he'll continue to mentor me on how to deal with adversity through his battle with cancer.

Go get 'em, my friend!

I see where David passed but a search of the forums did not help me find out any details. Am I missing something or can anyone share the details ?

27 January 2014, 23:49

peashooter

eyedoc
I was advised David passed away during his sleep from a heart attack. All the info I have at the moment.

28 January 2014, 00:05

eyedoc

Thanks for the info peashooter. I would have expected a good bit more info about his passing and was a bit bewildered when I could not find anything about him here on the forums.

My deepest sympathy to his family in the wake of his passing.

28 January 2014, 00:56

BEGNO

Just two days before this announcement was posted I sent Russell an email asking for assistance with my family(non hunting) vacation to the Falls in June. I have since sent my prayers. I have not heard from anybody at Ultimate Lodge. I wonder if someone is monitoring the emails. At any rate, I wish him well and fully expect to see him in June.

28 January 2014, 02:26

peashooter

BEGNO;
Surgery is scheduled for the 29th. He estimates he will be in ICU for seven days. He does have a couple of guys looking after the lodge, but most of the e-mails are going to Russell. He is on some heavy meds for pain so is unlikely to answer any e-mails until he is back on his feet. I'm sure he will get back to you as soon as he can.

28 January 2014, 02:34

D. Nelson

Prayers and positive thoughts sent to all!!!

D. Nelson

28 January 2014, 02:43

465H&H

It is true that cnacer sucks but the cure rate has sure goin up over the past 20 years. Good luck to him.

465H&H

28 January 2014, 06:14

BEGNO

Thanks peashooter for the info. I wasn't worried, I have plenty of time to put this together, but the girls (wife, daughter, granddaughter) are excited and anxious. In the meantime I'm headed for Burkina Faso for 10 days in mid Feb. so that should give Russell plenty of time to return to some semblance of normalcy.

28 January 2014, 07:08

jdollar

quote:
Originally posted by eyedoc:
Thanks for the info peashooter. I would have expected a good bit more info about his passing and was a bit bewildered when I could not find anything about him here on the forums.

My deepest sympathy to his family in the wake of his passing.

there was a multi page posting and responses on here about 2-3 weeks ago

30 January 2014, 15:07

ivan carter

from facebook ....

Hi to all our Fans, Friends and Family. A quick update on Russell a true Hero and Inspiration to all of us. Russell underwent surgery yesterday to remove the cancer from his jaw. The doctors and specialists are happy with procedure and was able to remove the tumour and he is now in a stable condition at Unitas Hospital's ICU in Centurion. The Family thanks you for your continued support and prayers and are truly grateful for it. Russ will be on the road to recovery from now on with the next 48 hours being the most important in a long process. After roughly 8 weeks off healing he will undergo some radiation treatment to eradicate the remnant traces of cancer for a 6 week period, and universe prevailing we will have our Russ back cancer free. Please continue with your messages of support here on facebook and share it amongst your friends so that we can put the positive energy out there to the universe!

30 January 2014, 15:27

Pawprint

All the best our prayers go out to you.

08 February 2014, 03:02

bwana cecil

Thought I would say a prayer & bring this back to the top again.
I've never met Russell, but I hope to someday, I've never heard a bad word about him.

08 February 2014, 03:26

peashooter

Russell was in surgery for approx. 12 hours. Latest news I have is he is out of ICU and breathing well on his own. Blood flowing to skin grafts well. After approx. eight week recovery he then will undergo radiation tretments for about six weeks. No set time when he will be back in Zim only some rough estimates.

08 February 2014, 03:34

Frostbit

Thoughts and prayers heading his way.

08 February 2014, 22:14

Russ Gould

For sure, there is no god. Or if there is one, he is punishing the wrong guy.

08 February 2014, 22:22

ChrisTroskie

quote:
Originally posted by Russ Gould:
For sure, there is no god. Or if there is one, he is punishing the wrong guy.

For sure, I have lost every little bit of respect for you that I thought I had... Best of luck going forward.

09 February 2014, 23:33

jvw375

quote:
Originally posted by ChrisTroskie:
quote:
Originally posted by Russ Gould:
For sure, there is no god. Or if there is one, he is punishing the wrong guy.

For sure, I have lost every little bit of respect for you that I thought I had... Best of luck going forward.

Well said, Chris! All the best to Russ!

10 February 2014, 09:57

Pawprint

quote:
Originally posted by ChrisTroskie:
quote:
Originally posted by Russ Gould:
For sure, there is no god. Or if there is one, he is punishing the wrong guy.

For sure, I have lost every little bit of respect for you that I thought I had... Best of luck going forward.

Thanks for speaking up Chris,good luck to Russ

03 March 2014, 22:54

BEGNO

Does anyone know how Russell is doing. I really want to stay at his place in June but have not had any reply to an email 5 weeks ago.

Is there another way/source to book the lodge for myself and my wife, daughter and granddaughter?

04 March 2014, 15:42

martin pieters

Butch, I inquired about Russell last week in the Falls, apparently he is not doing that well, but I have not talked to him personally. I am back in the Falls on Wednesday will try find more info.

Candy through her company books for Ultimate lodge and can sort out your booking, email her on admin@nehimba.com

Mart

04 March 2014, 17:32

Bwana Bunduki

quote:
Originally posted by Trapper Tom:
Prayers for him. Just found out 2 weeks ago that I have colon cancer at 45. I should be in Tanzania right now instead I start chemo on Monday. I can relate to how he feels. Life changes fast

A prayer for you Trapper.

Jeff

05 March 2014, 06:33

peashooter

I have been updated in regards to Russell every three days or so from a close friend who is in direct contact with the family.
After surgery he spent several days in ICU then was moved to High Care for several more days. Recently he was moved from High Care to his own private room and was allowed to have visitors. However, he was not able to swallow and hence is back in the hospital for more surgery to insert a feeding tube. As Martin said he is not at the moment in great shape. A PET scan is to be done in the near future to determine the cancers spread. At this time the doctors will determine what the way forward . I imagine the family will wait untill this has taken place to make a public comment.
In regards to the lodge a gentleman and his son are looking after the place. Although I am unsure at this juncture I doubt if any plans have been made to the future operation of the lodge. Without guestion Russell is the Ultimaate Lodge. His computer was stolen while he was still at the lodge waiting to go to the hospital in SA. I imagine when he is able someone will give him a laptop to begin communicating again. He very much enjoys chating on facebook.
Praying for the best!!!

06 March 2014, 03:13

Trapper Tom

quote:
Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:
quote:
Originally posted by Trapper Tom:
Prayers for him. Just found out 2 weeks ago that I have colon cancer at 45. I should be in Tanzania right now instead I start chemo on Monday. I can relate to how he feels. Life changes fast

A prayer for you Trapper.

Thanks Jeff. Round 4 of chemo started today. Early tests show that the tumor is responding well!

Don't want to hijack Russels thread. My prayers go out to him as well.

Jeff