Charcuterie For Dinner

July 31, 2022 - For dinner, my wonderful wife made this charcuterie for me. I am not exactly sure if I can eat all of it: probably not. I humbly thank her.

Hungarian Grand Prix

July 31, 2022 - I am watching a live broadcast of the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 (on ESPN) this morning. Below is a diagram of today's circuit (track): Hungaroring in Mogyoród, Hungary, near Budapest.

Better, But Still Healing

July 31, 2022 - Today, I am looking back several months ago and realizing how much better I am now, but I am also realizing that there are many more months of healing ahead for me.

On March 10, 2022, my wife took this photo of myself in the Intensive Care Unit at Boca Raton Regional Hospital the day after my seven-hour-long quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery.

I like this photo because I was totally wiped out, absolutely leveled, and my situation looks just so medically technical ... or is it technically medical. You can see the oxygen mask on my face and the intravenous needle stuck in a vein in my neck, plus the equipment to monitor my heart and my other vital signs like blood pressure and pulse rate. At that time, I had electrodes attached directly onto my heart with two wires emerging from my chest that were attached to a monitor.

Initially, I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, but little did I know that my medical "fun" was actually just beginning. I required two reconstructive surgeries within and on my chest just about two months later.

For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to a staph infection. These plates were installed during my initial open-heart surgery and were not replaced due to my chest infection.

For my surgery on May 25, 2022, my reconstructive surgeon cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest. He then partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries, leaving me with eight deep holes in my chest to heal. He attached an electric wound vacuum to suck discharge and any remaining infected blood from within my chest and from my wounds. The suction also serves to hold the wounds tighter together to expedite healing. My sutures and my wound vacuum were removed on June 20, 2022.

I was discharged from care by my reconstructive surgeon's office on July 11, 2022, meaning bandages on my chest were no longer required from that day on. My wounds have since healed on the outside, but I require more healing because my chest is still swollen and sore.

July 1, 2022, was my last day of receiving intravenous-antibiotic infusions every day for six weeks for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and the lingering osteomyelitis (bone infection) within my left foot. I received three bags of the antibiotic every day in the hospital and one bag every day in my rehab facility. My PICC line was removed on July 8, 2022.

In recent years, I have endured many of these six-week-long regimens for many cases of cellulitis in both of my legs individually and for the lingering osteomyelitis in my left foot. I have had four surgeries on my left foot due to diabetic ulcers and infections: one to remove part of a decayed bone, two to remove bone fragments, and one to remove a benign tumor that was growing within a diabetic ulcer. I had the latter three surgeries in 2021.

In January 2021, during a similar six-week-long regimen, the antibiotic caused both of my kidneys to fail and brought my white-blood-cell count very close to zero. I required dialysis: four straight hours, seven days a week, for six weeks. My kidney function returned, and my white-blood-cell count soon returned to normal after being switched to a different intravenous antibiotic. While my kidney failure was a concern during my bypass surgery, all was well in that regard.

I was in the hospital and a physical-rehabilitation facility for a total of 70 days. I arrived at the hospital emergency room with severe chest pains on May 13, 2022, had the two reconstructive surgeries, was transferred to the rehab facility on June 3, 2022, and returned home on July 21, 2022, just in time for my wife's birthday the next day.

I am now better than I was, but I still have many more months to heal. I am continuing physical therapy and occupational therapy at home. I was engaging in cardiac therapy (monitored exercising in a gym) right before my last two surgeries, so we know how well that worked out. (Infections can develop if cardiac therapy is started too soon.)

I am remaining strong, although I will admit that I do have my moments of screaming and crying due to severe pain, especially caused by a Foley catheter that I hope will be removed by my urologist on August 4, 2022. I do seem to get better with each passing day, albeit slowly.

I thank my wonderful wife and my terrific mother for all of their help. I also thank you for all of your prayers, well-wishes, and support. Be well.

I thank my wonderful wife and my terrific mother for all of their help. I also thank you for all of your prayers, well-wishes, and support. Let's do it: Stay strong, and be well.

Another Long Night

1:55 a.m., July 31, 2022 - I am having yet another tough consecutive night, and perhaps I will again be awake all night long into morning like last night. Both of my feet are numb and hurt badly due to neuropathy. My chest hurts due to my three recent heart/chest surgeries. I hurt down below due to a Foley catheter. I am experiencing bladder spasms that are like convulsions. My entire body feels like it has restless leg syndrome. I took an array of pills, and I am breathing oxygen through a nasal cannula. The pills are minimally helping me. I feel like a pinball machine with the pain bouncing like a ball throughout my body.

Elusive Sleep

July 30, 2022 - I am at least going to make an attempt.

Mom's Quiche Catherine

July 30, 2022 - Many thanks go to my terrific mother for making today this delicious Quiche Catherine for my wonderful wife and me.

R.I.P. "Wally Cleaver"

July 27, 2022

R.I.P. "Wally Cleaver" ... "Leave It To Beaver" is my all-time favorite sitcom.

Frittata For Breakfast

July 27, 2022 - For breakfast this morning, my wonderful wife made this frittata: eggs, milk, roasted potatoes, roasted onions, ham, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, ground black pepper, a little vegetable oil, and a little butter.

Trippin' In The Evening

July 26, 2022 - I took my many early evening pills on a basically empty stomach. I now feel like I am on a lysergic acid diethylamide trip. There aren't any bright colors. Actually, the white walls and white ceiling of our bedroom are swirling and undulating. It's like I am between two dimensions of time and space. This is the first time that I have experienced this: never with my evening pills and regardless of the time of day or the combination of pills. Every evening, I take four types of pain-reliever pills, including an opioid, plus other pills. One related side effect of one of the pain relievers is euphoria. One related side effect of another pain reliever is hallucinations. Both of these pills are obtained by prescription. The other two pain relievers can be obtained without a prescription. Perhaps therein lies my explanation.

Juxtaposition

I like the juxtaposition of these two posts on my Facebook wall.

One Hour At A Time

July 26, 2022

I was taught that bad days don't exist. For example, if in a day you have 23 bad hours and one good hour, then technically it's not a bad day. Something good happens every day, but sometimes you have to search for it.

It will take me many more months to heal from three recent heart/chest surgeries. Instead of saying, "Take one day at a time," my wife encourages me by saying, "Take one hour at a time." That certainly works for me.

Wife's Welcome-Home Dinner

July 24, 2022

My wonderful wife made this delicious, welcome-home dinner for me this late afternoon into early evening: pork tenderloin with roasted vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions, minced garlic), dusted with ground black pepper, and served with gravy and green peas. I wholeheartedly thank her.

I arrived home during the afternoon of July 21, 2022, after a total of SEVENTY (70) DAYS in a hospital and a physical-rehabilitation facility.

(The following is a repeat of my background, medical information.)

Prior to arriving at my physical-rehabilitation facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, when my wife brought me to the emergency room when I was experiencing severe chest pain. While at the hospital, I would then endure and recover from two (more) surgeries.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, but I required two plastic-reconstructive surgeries within and on my chest in May 2022.

For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to a staph infection. These plates were installed during my initial open-heart surgery and were not replaced due to my chest infection.

For my surgery on May 25, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest. He then partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my seven-hour-long, open-heart surgery and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries, leaving me with eight deep holes in my chest to heal.

On June 20, 2022, my sutures were removed. On July 11, 2022, I no longer required a bandage on my chest.

While my wounds have closed, I still require many more months to fully heal and to regain my strength.

French Grand Prix

July 24, 2022 - I am watching a live broadcast of the French Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 (on ESPN) this morning. Below is a diagram and statistics of today's circuit (track): Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, Var, France, near Marseille.

A Hangdog Celebrating

July 22, 2022

My wife took this photo of myself while celebrating her birthday here at home with my mother this afternoon. I only had one sip of (California) Champagne, two small pieces of birthday cake, and one Italian cookie.

While I really like this photo, I am looking a bit scruffy. I also look rather hangdog because I am feeling weak and lightheaded, and I am experiencing a fair amount of pain. If I can muster a bit of strength, my wife wants to bring me to "ManCave for Men" for a shave and a haircut.

I arrived home yesterday after spending a total of seventy (70) days in a hospital and a physical-rehabilitation facility, so I decided during that time I would let myself get a little disheveled while I attempted to regain my strength. I endured two reconstructive chest surgeries in May due to a staph infection that developed within my chest from my quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery in March.

I decided to temporarily use this photo as the main photo on my personal blog and as my Facebook profile photo. When I get "cleaned up," I will change the photo. Here is the link to my blog.

https://quizzicalsojourns2.blogspot.com/

Debbie's Birthday Today

July 22, 2022

This afternoon, my mom visited with my wife and me at our home to celebrate my wife's birthday. We enjoyed cake, Italian cookies, and (California) Champagne.

Mom's Welcome-Home Dinner

July 21, 2022

Many heartfelt thanks go to my terrific mother for creating this welcome-home, Italian dinner for me: Stuffed Pasta Shells and Eggplant Parmesan. She used her homemade sugo (sauce) that she made this week. Of course, my wife is enjoying the dinner, too.

I arrived home this afternoon after a total of SEVENTY (70) DAYS in a hospital and physical-rehabilitation facility.

Prior to arriving at my physical-rehabilitation facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, when my wife brought me to the emergency room when I was experiencing severe chest pain. While at the hospital, I would then endure and recover from two (more) surgeries.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, but I required two plastic-reconstructive surgeries within and on my chest in May 2022.

For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to a staph infection. These plates were installed during my initial open-heart surgery and were not replaced due to my chest infection.

For my surgery on May 25, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest. He then partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my seven-hour-long, open-heart surgery and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries, leaving me with eight deep holes in my chest to heal.

On June 20, 2022, my sutures were removed. On July 11, 2022, I no longer required a bandage on my chest.

While my wounds have closed, I still require many more months to fully heal and to regain my strength.

I Am Finally Home

Thursday, July 21, 2022

YEAH !!! I AM FINALLY HOME !!!

I am finally HOME after spending a total of SEVENTY (70) DAYS in a hospital and then at a physical-rehabilitation facility. I am massively happy that I will be able to spend my wife's birthday with her and my mother tomorrow either at our home or at my mom's nearby home.

Prior to arriving at my physical-rehabilitation facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, when my wife brought me to the emergency room when I was experiencing severe chest pain. While at the hospital, I would then endure and recover from two (more) surgeries.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, but I required two plastic-reconstructive surgeries within and on my chest in May 2022.

For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to a staph infection. The infection was probably caused either by lingering osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot or by engaging in cardiac rehabilitation too soon. These plates were installed during my initial open-heart surgery and were not replaced due to my chest infection.

For my surgery on May 25, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest. He then partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries, leaving me with eight deep holes in my chest to heal. He attached an electric wound vacuum to suck discharge and any remaining infected blood from within my chest and from my wounds. My sutures and my wound vacuum were removed on June 20, 2022.

I was discharged from care by my plastic-reconstructive surgeon's office on July 11, 2022, meaning bandages on my chest were no longer required from that day on.

July 1, 2022, was my last day of receiving intravenous-antibiotic infusions every day for six weeks for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and the lingering osteomyelitis within my left foot. I received three bags of the antibiotic every day in the hospital and one bag every day in my rehab facility.

The antibiotic was administered through one of two ports of my PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter), which was about 53 centimeters long (about 21 inches long). It ran from the upper part of my left arm through my veins close to my heart. The other port was supposed to be used for extracting blood for testing and for flushing the line with saline solution, but it was only used once in the hospital for blood extraction. Blood was extracted here at my rehab facility every few days using a needle stuck either into one of my arms or into the back of one of my hands.

My PICC line was removed on July 8, 2022.

In recent years, I have endured many of these six-week-long regimens for many cases of cellulitis in both of my legs individually and for the lingering osteomyelitis in my left foot. I have had four surgeries on my left foot due to diabetic ulcers: one to remove part of a decayed bone, two to remove bone fragments, and one to remove a benign tumor that was growing within a diabetic ulcer. I had the latter three surgeries last year.

In January 2021, while in the midst of another six-week-long regimen, both of my kidneys stopped functioning. This required six weeks of dialysis (four straight hours, seven days a week). Luckily, both of my kidneys regained functionality. (This was a concern in regard to my open-heart surgery.)

Over the past several days, I have done well with testing by my physical therapists and my occupational therapist. This partially made it possible for me to return home, along with the completion of my intravenous antibiotic regimen. However, I still have a Foley catheter installed, so I need to make an appointment with my urologist to deal with that situation.

While at my rehab facility, I had severe pain from the Foley catheter. I was taken to the emergency room of the hospital, where I had CAT scans of my abdominal and pelvic regions. Everything was OK, although it was determined that I have gallstones.

While I am stronger than I was, I am still far from being strong. I still need many more months to recover. My chest is still swollen and sore. My occupational therapist told me that I would probably require about a year to be fully healed. I will continue to strengthen myself by walking with a walker and engaging in exercises that I learned from my therapists.

Again, thank you for your prayers, well-wishes, and support during my rather challenging, continuing ordeal. I will continue to pray for everyone who is going through rough times.

Because I have been telling you about my many physical ailments, I will mention the thoracentesis procedure that I had last year. 650 milliliters (about 22 ounces) of fluid surrounding my right lung were drained through a catheter that was inserted in my back and into my chest cavity. Also, last year, my white-blood-cell count was near zero, but returned to normal levels; my hemoglobin and iron levels were very low, requiring intravenous infusions of iron and a blood transfusion; I had pneumonia twice and a covid infection that required an hourlong, intravenous infusion of an antibody. (I also required a blood transfusion during one of my surgeries this year.)

While my medical "fun" never seems to end, I do not require pity. I just enjoy telling you about my medical adventures.

Going Home Tomorrow

July 20, 2022

Today is my last day of physical therapy and occupational therapy here at my physical-rehabilitation facility. I am finally going home tomorrow around 11 a.m. (USA, Eastern Time).

My Favorite Cheese Is ...

July 20, 2022 - My favorite cheese is Leyden, a semi-hard cheese with caraway seeds and cumin seeds from The Netherlands. What is your favorite cheese? (Pick just one.)

Buongiorno / Good Morning

July 20, 2022

Buongiorno / Good Morning

Buongiorno

Good Morning

While I am better, I still require many more months to heal from my three recent heart/chest surgeries: one in March; two in May.

34th Work Anniversary

July 18, 2022

Happy 34th Work Anniversary to my wonderful wife !!! She has worked for the same hospital in various capacities for 34 years !!! Congratulations !!!

I'm Going Home (Soon)

Monday, July 18, 2022 - GOOD, UH, TERRIFIC NEWS !!!

I am scheduled to return home from my physical-rehabilitation facility on Thursday, July 21, 2022 !!! I haven't been home since May 13, 2022, when my wife brought me with severe chest pain to the hospital.

This afternoon, I initiated my discharge process with three social workers here in my room.

Over the past three days, I have done well with testing by my physical therapists and my occupational therapist. I was discharged from care by my plastic-reconstructive surgeon's office on July 11, 2022, meaning bandages on my chest were no longer required from that day on. However, I must return home with a Foley catheter and then find a urologist to deal with that situation.

Prior to arriving at my physical-rehabilitation facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, enduring and recovering from two (more) surgeries.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic-reconstructive surgeries in/on my chest in May 2022.

For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to a staph infection. The plates were installed during my initial heart surgery and were not replaced due to my chest infection.

For my surgery on May 25, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest. He then partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries, leaving me with eight deep holes in my chest to heal. He attached an electric wound vacuum to suck discharge and infected blood from within my chest and from my wounds. My sutures and my wound vacuum were removed on June 20, 2022.

Thank you for your prayers, well-wishes, and support. I will continue to pray for everyone who is going through rough times.

PHOTO: I decided to repost this composite photo I made of my chest wounds to show the progress of my healing.

My Roommate Is GONE !!!

July 18, 2022 - My aggravating roommate went home this morning. Good for him. Good for me. No more will he wheel himself in his wheelchair in and out of our room all day long, crashing his wheelchair into my bed and making the nurses chase him down the hallway because he's apparently not strong enough to be out of bed without supervision; no more of his blaring television shows with screeching car tires and people screaming, sometimes at 3 a.m.; and no more of him grabbing my rolling table through the curtain and spilling cups of water and apple juice on the floor. That last one was partially my fault; I finally figured out that I just needed to put my table on the other side of my bed. I felt bad for him, but I am glad he's gone. He was just so amazingly annoying. I usually have more patience, but when I'm in pain and heavily medicated, my tolerance for stuff like that is very low. (Yes, I know that I was annoying to other people here, when I was screaming with pain several times.)

A Random Coincidence ...

July 17, 2022

A Random Coincidence (that probably doesn't mean anything significant):

My religion is Gaudiya Vaishnavism, also know as Hare Krishna. I worship Lord Krishna (the man pictured below). The first name of my physical therapist here at my physical-rehabilitation facility, a woman, is Krishna.

PT & OT

Friday, July 15, 2022

PHOTO: Here I am engaging in occupational therapy in bed this afternoon.

As with every weekday, I engaged in both physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) this afternoon.

In recent weeks, for PT, I have been strengthening my legs by walking with a walker and performing leg exercises with ankle weights while lying in bed. For OT, I have been strengthening my arms with exercises while lying in bed. One day this week, I played the piano for my occupational therapist while seated in a wheelchair here at my physical-rehabilitation facility.

Today's activities were mostly different. I performed basic tests to prove that I am able to return home. I am expecting to go home sometime next week, but nothing is definite.

I was discharged from care by an associate physician of my plastic-reconstructive surgeon on July 11, 2022. The eight deep wounds are basically healed, so I am good to go in that regard. I still have a Foley catheter installed. I assume that I will go home with it and then make an appointment with a urologist.

For PT today, I pushed myself up from a flat, lying position to a position sitting on the edge of my bed. I then walked to the gym with a walker; walked up and down two stairs; walked both ways on an uneven surface; and got into and out of the passenger seat in a fake car. For OT, I again pushed myself up from a flat, lying position to a position sitting on the edge of my bed. I then showed my occupational therapist that I could take off and put on my socks and my special padded, Velcro shoes for people with wounded feet. (I am still dealing with lingering diabetic ulcers on both of my feet.) I then engaged in arm exercises with a two-pound dumbbell while lying in bed.

Yesterday, I did well with another PT test. I was able to stand from a position sitting on the edge of my bed eight times in 30 seconds without using my arms. My physical therapist and I were surprised that I did so well.

The following is a bit of background information. I post this explanation with all of my posts to let new readers of my posts know what has been going on with me.

Prior to arriving at my physical-rehabilitation facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, enduring and recovering from two (more) surgeries.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic-reconstructive surgeries in/on my chest in May 2022.

For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to an infection. The plates were installed during my initial heart surgery and were not replaced due to my chest infection.

For my surgery on May 25, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest. He then partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery in March 2022 and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries in May 2022, leaving me with eight deep holes in my chest to heal. He attached an electric wound vacuum to suck discharge and infected blood from within my chest and from the wounds. My sutures (and my wound vacuum) were removed on June 20, 2022.

July 1, 2022, was my last day of receiving intravenous-antibiotic infusions every day for six weeks for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and lingering osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot. I received three bags of the antibiotic every day in the hospital and one bag every day in my rehab facility. The antibiotic was administered through one of two ports of my PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter), which was about 53 centimeters long (about 21 inches long). It ran from the upper part of my left arm through my veins close to my heart. The other port was supposed to be used for extracting blood for testing and for flushing the line with saline solution, but it was only used once in the hospital for blood extraction. Blood was extracted here at my rehab facility every few days using a needle stuck either into one of my arms or into the back of one of my hands. I haven't had blood extracted in a short while.

My PICC line was removed on July 8, 2022.

In recent years, I have endured many of these six-week-long regimens for many cases of cellulitis in both of my legs individually and for the lingering osteomyelitis in my left foot.

Thank you for your prayers, well-wishes, and support. I will continue to pray for everyone who is going through rough times.

Memories Of France

July 14, 2022 - Happy Bastille Day !!!

I was in Paris, France, on Bastille Day with my parents in 1970, when I was nine years old. The top of the Eiffel Tower was closed, so we enjoyed lunch in a restaurant that was about halfway up the tower.

We were on a 28-day trip around the world. Several days earlier, I met my great-grandparents (for the first time) and several of my cousins on their small farm in the hills of Sturno, Italy, near Naples.

I would visit Paris two more times:

* ... for one week, as a high-school senior in 1979, when I was 18 years old, with my French teacher (Mrs. Boderick) and three female classmates. (I remember feeling like Bosley from the Charlie's Angels television series.) The trip was basically to learn about French history and French culture.

The day that we were to return home, I got lost in Galeries Lafayette (the huge, famous shopping mall in Paris), so I missed my flight home. My teacher remained in Paris to look for me, but she never found me. In an attempt to catch my fight, I had taken a taxi to the airport, but it was the wrong airport. Wow. She was so incredibly angry. In our high school classroom after we had returned home, I asked her for the bottles of wine that I was bringing home to my parents. She bluntly told me that she was keeping them as compensation for all of the aggravation I had caused her. I told her that she could keep them. LOL

* ... for three weeks, as a university senior in 1984, when I was 23 years old, with my French teacher (Mr. René Mongeau), another French teacher, and about 30 other students from Villanova University, where I was studying. We lived in a high-rise dormitory in Massy, France, (about a 30-minute train ride to Paris) with students from China and North Africa. A group of senior citizens were also with us. I would attend six hours of formal, classroom instruction of the French language ("Composition and Conversation: Parts 1 and 2") every weekday. We would only visit Paris on Saturdays and Sundays. I earned six (equivalent to two three-credit courses) of my 18 university credits in French. I graduated in December 1984 with a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in the French language.

Here are three remembrances from this trip:

1. My cousin Vivian, who was living in London, spent a couple of weekend days with us. Many of the senior citizens thought that I had hooked up with her in a bar in Paris. LOL ... I assured them that she was my cousin.

2. One Saturday evening, a bunch of my classmates and I went to a nightclub in Paris. We danced and had fun, but we lost track of the time. We missed the last (2 a.m.) train back to Massy, so we all slept on the couches that were scattered all over the nightclub until 5 a.m., when the next train was available. I slept on a circular, red-velvet couch. I remember being awoken by the bartender who was shaking me by the shoulder. I felt like such a lush.

3. Another evening, we had a large, farewell party in the main room of our dormitory with all of the students attending. Several of the senior citizens were there, too. We danced to an entire album by a group called La Compagnie Créole. The link below is to a song from that album. Soon after, while in Paris, I purchased the album. I still sometimes listen to it to summon fond memories.

https://youtu.be/m4OV8__VA-c

Happy Bastille Day !!!

July 14, 2022

2nd Anniversary: Not Home

July 13, 2022 (yesterday)

Today marks the two-month anniversary since I haven't been home. I do not know when I will be able to return home.

Prior to arriving at my physical-rehabilitation facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, enduring and recovering from two (more) surgeries.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic-reconstructive surgeries in/on my chest in May 2022.

For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to an infection. The plates were installed during my initial heart surgery and were not replaced due to my chest infection.

For my surgery on May 25, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest. He then partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

I remain in my physical-rehabilitation facility: every day, taking many pills, and almost every day, engaging in both physical therapy and occupational therapy.

No More Chest Bandage

July 11, 2022 - GOOD NEWS !!!

I no longer require a bandage on my chest. My wounds are basically closed, but my chest is still swollen, numb, and hard, so I require more months to heal. I have been officially discharged from care by the office of my plastic-reconstructive surgeon, but not yet from my physical-rehabilitation facility or my urologist.

You can see in today's photo below that I have an allergic reaction to the adhesive in the medical tape that held my bandage in place. That should heal fairly quickly.

This morning, I was transported in a wheelchair by van from my physical-rehabilitation facility to a somewhat nearby wound-care facility. Two weeks ago, I had to be transported on a stretcher, so I am slowly regaining my strength.

A nurse at the wound-care facility removed the bandage on my chest and took a photo for her facility's records. She also took today's photo below on my phone. Then, a physician associated with my plastic-reconstructive surgeon evaluated my chest wound. She took a photo of my chest to share with my surgeon and then told me that she determined that I no longer needed to have my wound covered.

I am still required to remain in my physical-rehabilitation facility, apparently until I have enough strength to take care of myself and am able to urinate without a Foley catheter. Regaining my strength requires more physical therapy and more occupational therapy, both of which I do almost every day.

Why I Am In Physical Rehab

Prior to arriving at my rehab facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, enduring and recovering from two (more) surgeries.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic-reconstructive surgeries in/on my chest in May 2022.

For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic-reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to an infection. The plates were installed during my initial heart surgery and were not replaced.

For my surgery on May 25, 2022, my surgeon cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest. He then partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery in March 2022 and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries in May 2022, leaving me with eight deep holes in my chest to heal. He attached an electric wound vacuum to suck discharge and infected blood from within my chest and from the wounds. My sutures (and my wound vacuum) were removed on June 20, 2022.

July 1, 2022, was my last day of receiving intravenous-antibiotic infusions every day for six weeks for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and lingering osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot. I received three bags of the antibiotic every day in the hospital and one bag every day in the rehab facility. The antibiotic was administered through one of two ports of my PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter), which was about 53 centimeters long (about 21 inches long). It ran from the upper part of my left arm through my veins close to my heart. The other port was supposedly to be used for extracting blood for testing and for flushing the line with saline solution, but it was only used once in the hospital for blood extraction. Blood continues to be extracted here at my rehab facility every few days using a needle stuck either into one of my arms or into the back of one of my hands.

In recent years, I have endured many of these six-week-long regimens for many cases of cellulitis in both of my legs individually and for the lingering osteomyelitis in my left foot. Several years ago, I had surgery to remove part of a decayed bone in my left foot. Last year, I had three surgeries on my left foot: two to remove decayed bone fragments and one to remove a benign tumor that was growing within a diabetic ulcer.

During one of my six-week-long regimens (December 2020 into January 2021), I experienced kidney failure (both kidneys) which required six weeks of dialysis (four straight hours, seven days a week). My kidneys regained full functionality.

Also during 2021, I was hospitalized with low hemoglobin/iron levels, a white-blood-cell count near zero, covid, and pneumonia twice. Also in 2021, I had a thoracentesis procedure performed: 650 milliliters (about 22 ounces) of fluid surrounding my right lung was drained through a catheter that was inserted in my back and into my chest cavity.

Thank you for your prayers, well-wishes, and support. I will continue to pray for everyone who is going through rough times.

My PICC Line Is Out

July 8, 2022 - YEAH !!! One of my nurses here at my physical rehabilitation facility removed my PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) this afternoon.

July 1, 2022, was my last day of receiving intravenous antibiotic infusions every day for six weeks for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and lingering osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot. I received the antibiotic through one of two ports in my PICC line, which is about 53 centimeters long (about 21 inches long). It runs from the upper part of my left arm through my veins close to my heart. The other port was supposedly to be for extracting blood for testing and for flushing the line with saline solution, but it was only used once in the hospital for blood extraction. Blood continues to be extracted here using a needle stuck in either one of my arms or in the back of one of my hands.

(In recent years, I have endured many of these six-week-long regimens for many cases of cellulitis in both of my legs individually and for the lingering osteomyelitis in my left foot.)

Why I Am In Physical Rehab

Prior to arriving at my rehab facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, enduring and recovering from two (more) surgeries last month.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic reconstructive surgeries in/on my chest in May 2022. For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to an infection. For my surgery on May 25, 2022, he cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest, and he partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery in March 2022 and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries in May 2022, leaving me with seven deep holes in my chest to heal. My sutures (and wound vacuum) were removed on June 20, 2022.

Where I Have Been/Lived

Studies show that out of the 50 states, 8 is the average number most people have visited. Sadly, many never leave the state in which they were born. Put an 🖤 by all the states you have been to. Put a 💙 where you have lived. You have to had seen an attraction or spent the night for it to count as a state.

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California 🖤
Colorado 🖤
Connecticut 🖤
Delaware 🖤
Florida 💙
Georgia 🖤
Hawaii 🖤
Idaho
Illinois 🖤
Indiana 🖤
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland 🖤
Massachusetts 💙
Michigan 🖤
Minnesota 🖤
Mississippi
Missouri 💙
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada 🖤
New Hampshire 🖤
New Jersey 💙
New Mexico
New York 💙
North Carolina 🖤
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania 💙
Rhode Island
South Carolina 🖤
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont 🖤
Virginia 🖤
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

Relaxing At Rehab

July 6, 2022 - I am relaxing here in my bed at my physical rehabilitation facility after taking four "happy" pills, among others, this evening, as usual. One pill relaxes my muscles. Another pill reduces my anxiety. The other two pills reduce my pain. Seriously, I am able to fall sleep much easier after taking them.

(I am watching videos on YouTube on my cell phone.)

"Fun" At Rehab

This is my life at the physical rehabilitation facility: pain, invisibility, mediocre food, and a painter outside my door.

Bandage/Dressing Change

Sunday, July 3, 2022

This afternoon, a nurse changed the bandage on my left foot (lingering diabetic ulcer) and the dressing on my chest (an incision from three recent surgeries), while I reclined in my bed here at my physical rehabilitation facility. My wound-care specialist changes my bandage and dressing on weekdays.

Why I Am In Physical Rehab

Prior to arriving at my rehab facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, enduring and recovering from two (more) surgeries last month.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic reconstructive surgeries in/on my chest in May 2022. For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to an infection. For my surgery on May 25, 2022, he cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest, and he partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery in March 2022 and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries in May 2022, leaving me with seven deep holes in my chest to heal. My sutures (and wound vacuum) were removed on June 20, 2022.

Intravenous Antibiotic

July 1, 2022 was my last day of receiving intravenous antibiotic infusions every day for six weeks for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and lingering osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot. I received the antibiotic through one of two ports in my PICC line, which is about 53 centimeters long (about 21 inches long). It runs from the upper part of my left arm through my veins close to my heart. The other port is supposedly to be for extracting blood for testing, but it is not being used. Blood continues to be extracted using a needle stuck in either one of my arms or in the back of one of my hands.

(In recent years, I have endured many of these six-week-long regimens for many cases of cellulitis in both of my legs individually and for the lingering osteomyelitis in my left foot.)

The Future:

I have no idea when I will be permitted to go home. My wounds are healing well, and I am experiencing less pain. I am engaging in both physical therapy and occupational therapy, but my strength is slow to return. I will not be permitted to leave until I can perform basic skills like sitting, standing, walking, dressing myself, putting on my shoes, using the toilet, brushing my teeth, etc. I am mostly unable to do these activities now due to weakness, lightheadedness, nausea, and profuse sweating.

Also, my bladder has been draining through a Foley catheter for about a month. I will probably need to be able to urinate normally before I can go home.

Craziness Here

July 1, 2022

The "crazy" lady down the hall is screaming again. She provides us with a daily, semi-constant, evening barrage of "Help me!," or just "Ahh!" like this evening's performance. At least this evening's performance had an intermission. Act 2 has begun. She sometimes graces us with a matinee performance. I wish that she would stop screaming or that a nurse would do something to help her.

Oh. Wait. The other day, I was screaming with pain for a relatively long time, here in my bed at the physical rehabilitation center, and I really didn't receive any help for quite a while, that is until I was finally able to tell a nurse that I needed to go to the hospital emergency room, which I did fairly shortly after my request.

Anyway, I am surely glad that I could contribute to the insanity which is here. 😉

(I mean no disrespect. I am just trying to find humor within a mostly humorless situation.)

Happy Canada Day !!!

July 1, 2022

Happy Canada Day !!! 

PT & OT

July 1, 2022 - Every weekday, I engage in both physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) here at the physical rehabilitation facility, where I have been living. PT involves strengthening the lower body, specifically the legs, by riding a stationary bicycle and by walking with and without a walker. OT involves strengthening the upper body so that one can regain the ability to take care of oneself, specifically dressing, putting on shoes, using the toilet, brushing teeth, etc. This involves strengthening the arms. OT also involves being able to sit up for a while, which is extremely difficult for me.

This afternoon, I engaged in PT, and then OT. For PT, I was only able to walk about 75 feet with a walker. I then felt weakness in my legs and lightheaded, and I was sweating quite a bit. For OT, I struggled through several arm exercises while lying in my bed using two one-pound weights (photo) and one two-and-a-half-pound weight.

While I do not have either therapy on Saturdays and Sundays, I do attempt to exercise by myself in bed on those days.

Why I Am In Physical Rehabilitation

Prior to arriving at my rehab facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, enduring and recovering from two (more) surgeries in May 2022.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic reconstructive surgeries in/on my chest in May 2022. For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to an infection. For my surgery on May 25, 2022, he cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest, and he partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery in March 2022 and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries in May 2022, leaving me with seven deep holes in my chest to heal. My sutures and my wound vacuum, which was sucking discharge and infected blood through the seven holes in my chest, were removed on June 20, 2022.

While the wounds in my chest are healing well, I am still struggling to regain my strength.

(My occupational therapist took this photo.)

Morning Pills

July 1, 2022 - These are my morning pills for this morning: 1. Diuretic; 2. Aspirin; 3. Pain; 4. Stool softener; 5. Iron; 6. Probiotic; 7. Bladder spasms; 8. Muscle relaxer.

I also sniffed a steroidal nasal spray this morning.

I receive pills in the afternoon and in the evening, which include pain/neuropathy and anti-anxiety. I also receive a steroidal inhaled powder and insulin injections.

I receive intravenous antibiotic infusions every day for six weeks for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and lingering osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot. I am fairly sure that today is my last day.

Why I Am In Physical Rehab

Prior to arriving at my rehab facility on June 3, 2022, I was in the hospital since May 13, 2022, enduring and recovering from two (more) surgeries last month.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic reconstructive surgeries in/on my chest in May 2022. For my surgery on May 19, 2022, my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates from within my chest due to an infection. For my surgery on May 25, 2022, he cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest, and he partially closed my chest by first clipping off the tips of my ribs and then by reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body.

My surgeon used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest initiated by my open-heart surgery in March 2022 and made worse by my two subsequent surgeries in May 2022, leaving me with seven deep holes in my chest to heal. My sutures (and wound vacuum) were removed on June 20, 2022.