Backups were made but there is a flaw in my backup procedures. I backup all the files and the database then do the install and if all seems to work I move on. UNFORTUNATLEY, I did not find the problem till days later. The database backups are dated, however the site files backup is overwritten with the latest stuff each time I backup. :-(
I wish I could find someone who has this installed this mod and is using the apple zen template. That would tell me if they are incompatible or not.