Trail Mix Day

August 31, 2023

Happy Birthday To My Dad

August 30, 2023: Happy Birthday to my father (August 30, 1934 - February 14, 1997). I still sorely and immensely miss him. This is a photo of my dad and myself in December 1974 at the house of my great-aunt Rose in East Orange, New Jersey. I was 13 years old.

My dad died on his mother's birthday - she passed away on May 22, 1977 - and the day after the birthday of his sister, who is still going strong in her mid-'80s.

My dad was cremated. Half of his ashes were interred at Breslau Cemetery in Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York. The other half of his ashes were scattered into the North Atlantic Ocean from a U.S. Navy ship. Dad served 22 years in the Navy and retired at the rank of Commander. He was a few months short of becoming a Captain.

He served on a ship in the 1950s, transporting DPs (displaced persons or, as he called them, delayed pilgrims) after World War II from Bremerhaven, Germany, to New York City.

My father had a twin brother named Wilbur who died in 1935 at the age of 9 months due to spinal meningitis. Wilbur is also buried in Breslau Cemetery next to my grandmother and also my grandfather who passed away in 1983.

Breslau, which is the original name of Lindenhurst, is also the name of a town in Germany.

Today Is ...

August 30, 2023: I prefer my marshmallows slightly burned.

Medical Update

August 30, 2023: Medical Update

Through imaging (CT scan, MRI), my back doctor has determined that the severe pain in my lower back is being caused by an infection (an abscess) in one of my disks in my (lower) spine and minor osteomyelitis (bone infection) in the surrounding spinal bone.

I am already fighting a blood infection and possible osteomyelitis within a fracture of my right Tibia, where fluid has been seen in recent scans. My right Fibula is also fractured. I fractured both ankle bones during two falls in April 2023.

I am already in the midst of a six-week-long regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic for my possibly infected ankle bone, as prescribed by my podiatrist. My spine doctor told me that this antibiotic regimen will also address the infection in my lower spine, so nothing more needs to be done. He added that my disk looks strong, so surgery will only be necessary if the disk gets weak. The disk's status is about the same as one month ago, which means it hasn't weakened. That's good news.

I have endured this antibiotic regimen many, MANY times in recent years for cellulitis (infection) and osteomyelitis in my feet/legs individually due to lingering diabetic ulcers in both of my feet.

I am quite happy to now know the source of my pain. While my situation is not good, it could be much worse.

Thank you for your prayers and well-wishes. Special thanks go to my wife and to my mother for their unceasing help.

Evening: At Hospital

August 29, 2023, mid-evening, selfie: Nebulizer (breathing) Treatment; Supplemental Oxygen; and intravenous Saline Solution at Delray Medical Center, Delray Beach, Florida

Today Is ...

August 29, 2023

Back In Hospital

August 29, 2023: No kidding. I am back in the hospital.

This morning, I had a follow-up appointment at the Florida Pain Management Institute regarding the severe pain in my lower back, about two weeks after being prescribed there with an opioid pain medication, as well as another pain medication for my diabetic neuropathy (numbness and pain) in both of my feet, and also a muscle relaxer for my lower back.

My pain is so severe that I cannot stand without screaming, even with the support of a walker. I can't even straighten my legs in bed without severe pain. Just lying in bed is painful, even with opioid pain medication.

During my appointment this morning, the head physician at the Institute suggested that I go directly to the hospital's Emergency Room. He told me that the amount of (opioid) medication I would require to control my severe pain would cause me to stop breathing, so he could not prescribe stronger medication.

A few weeks ago, I was in the Delray hospital for two weeks with severe lower back pain. Testing (X-rays, CT scan) found that I have an inoperable herniated disk in my lower back and also arthritis in my lower back. The physician at the Institute told me that there has to be something more going on that is causing my severe pain, so I should have further testing at the hospital. (I just had a CT scan of my back, frontways, at the hospital.)

I was discharged from this hospital about three weeks ago after a two-week visit with exactly the same severe pain in my lower back as when I went in.

However, it was determined during that time that I have a blood infection and possible osteomyelitis (bone infection) in my right ankle. I fractured my two bones (Tibia and Fibula) in my right ankle during two falls in April 2023. My podiatrist told me there is fluid in my right Tibia fracture, which could mean osteomyelitis, so he thought it was best for me to undergo yet another six-week-long regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic through an 18-inch-long PICC line in my upper left arm which my wonderful wife has been administering every day at home. I have endured this regimen many times in recent years for cellulitis (infection) and osteomyelitis in my feet/legs individually due to lingering diabetic ulcers in both of my feet.

The physician at the Institute told me that I could have an infection in my lower back.

UPDATE: The result of my CT scan today shows that I may have an infection in my lower spine. I then completed an MRI of my lower back to verify and provide more information. (no results yet)

NOTE: I was thinking that it could possibly be sciatica. Anyway, a shot of morphine through my PICC line directly into my bloodstream temporarily relieved my pain. 

Pain Management

August 29, 2023: I am still in severe pain (lower back: probably sciatica, definitely herniated disk, definitely arthritis).

Today Is ...

August 28, 2023: My favorite comic book character is Jughead Jones, but I didn't start reading his comic books until the mid-1990s, when I was in my mid-30s. At that time, I was working in New York City as a reporter, writer, editor, and researcher for an international weekly magazine on the financial and technical aspects of the chemical industry.

My brain was immersed in complex information every day, so I decided that I needed something simplistic to read during my non-working hours. I remembered that I liked Jughead in the 1970s (newspaper comic, TV cartoon), so I started picking up the Jughead Jones Digests every month at the supermarket to take my mind off of chemicals.

I am a huge fan of Jughead Jones, mainly because we are very much alike: He's lazy, awkward, clumsy, and a free spirit, plus he likes to eat, especially hamburgers, and is not popular with the ladies.

I still have those digests from the 1990s.

August 28, 2023: I prefer red wine to white wine. I like Italian red wines, especially a nice fruity Chianti, and Austrian (not Australian) dry white wines.

Hint: If you need to stay awake for partying, drink white wine. If you want to relax and fall asleep/pass out, drink red wine.

August 28, 2023: I like cherry turnovers. I am sure that I would love them with chocolate ice cream.

August 28, 2023: I do have one (pre-knotted) bow tie: dark purple with a somewhat paisley pattern.

Today Is ...

August 27, 2023: My paternal grandmother used to make peach pie when I was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s. She never used a top crust. She would boil the pits in unflavored gelatin and a little red food coloring. She would pour it over the peaches in the pie before baking. So, the pie would have this, well, pinkish-white, gelatinous substance on top. I liked it. These days, we know that peach pits contain small amounts of the poisonous chemical cyanide, so I will NOT recommend boiling the pits.

August 27, 2023: I don't think I have ever eaten this.

Dutch Grand Prix

Sunday, August 27, 2023: It's 9 a.m. here in southeastern Florida, and I am watching a live broadcast of the Dutch Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 (on ESPN). This is the 13th race of the 23-race Formula 1 auto racing season for 2023.

Today's circuit (track) is Circuit Zandvoort in Zandvoort, located in the dunes north of Zandvoort, the Netherlands, near the North Sea coast line.

The first 12 races were in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Miami, Monaco, Spain, Canada, Austria, Great Britain, Hungary, and Beligium.

This season, there are two races in Italy and three races in the United States (Miami, Austin, and an inaugural race in Las Vegas). The Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, earlier this season was postponed due to poor weather conditions: rain and flooding.

Formula 1 racing is the only sport that I actively follow. There are 20 drivers on 10 teams (constructors). Only one driver is from the United States.

Cherry Popsicle Day

August 26, 2023: Cherry Popsicles are OK.

Today Is ...

August 25, 2023: I am not all that fond of banana splits.

August 25, 2023: Whiskey Sours are OK.

Today Is ...

August 24, 2023: My paternal grandmother used to make peach pie when I was a kid in the 1960s and 1970s. She never used a top crust. She would boil the pits in unflavored gelatin and a little red food coloring. She would pour it over the peaches in the pie before baking. So, the pie would have this, well, pinkish-white, gelatinous substance on top. I liked it. These days, we know that peach pits contain small amounts of the poisonous chemical cyanide, so I will NOT recommend boiling the pits.

August 24, 2023: I do occasionally like waffles, but I do prefer pancakes.

August 24, 2023: When my dad (1934-1997) retired in the mid-1990s, he moved to Maryland from Long Island, New York.

Today Is ...

August 23, 2023: My dear cousin Scott introduced me to the Cuban sandwich, as well as Cuban coffee (Café con Leche), when I visited him and his brother Burt while on spring break in Miami in February 1982. They were attending the University of Miami. I was attending Villanova University near Philadelphia. Two friends from 'Nova and I drove my car (two-seater Ford EXP, four-speed) 24 straight hours to spend a week in Florida. It was a hatchback, so we alternated who slept in the "trunk." I dropped them off in Fort Lauderdale, and then I continued onto Miami.

(Although I am not Hispanic, I do like Cuban food.)

August 23, 2023: I absolutely dislike sponge cake and pound cake, well, all cake unless there is more frosting than cake.

Today Is ...

August 22, 2023: I have eaten dim sum, but never bao.

August 22, 2023: It looks somewhat good. It's a bit plain for my taste, mainly because I really don't like cake all that much. (I have never eaten it.)

August 22, 2023: I tend toward almond milk.

Today Is ...

August 21, 2023: I do love Spumoni.

August 21, 2023: I am one of these.

Today Is ...

October 20, 2023: I prefer radio to television. I particularly love the old radio shows from the 1930s and 1940s, especially the Kraft Music Hall, which aired from 1933 to 1949. I have 10 shows on five CDs of "KMH" hosted by Bing Crosby that were broadcast to the troops during World War II. I also like The Bob Hope Show from around that time; I have many of those shows on many CDs.

October 20, 2023: I definitely remember eating a piece of pecan pie with a chocolate ganache on top, but it was long ago.

October 20, 2023: They have definitely helped me over the past few years.

August 20, 2023: Trivia: Only female mosquitoes suck your blood.

Spinach-Phyllo Rolls

August 20, 2023: My wonderful wife made a whole bunch of spinach-phyllo (filo) rolls. I am enjoying these.

Today Is ...

August 19, 2023: I love Carvel's chocolate soft-serve ice cream in a bowl with chocolate jimmies (sprinkles). I never liked ice cream cones.

August 19, 2023: I prefer mashed potatoes, especially with a little crumbled blue cheese mixed in.

What's Going On Today?

August 18, 2023: I like ice cream cake, specifically Carvel. I'm not sure about ice cream pie.

August 18, 2023: I really don't like fajitas. I need some kind of sauce on Mexican food, preferably mole.

August 18, 2023: I like Italian reds and Austrian (not Australian) whites.

What's Doin' Today?

August 17, 2023: During my career (series of gigs) as a journalist from September 1982 to May 2017, I worked for two nonprofit associations.

In 1991, I was the Copy Editor of "RIMS," the official magazine of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, which is an international association for corporate insurance buyers. My office was in New York City.

From 2016 to 2017, I was the Associate Editor (reporter, writer, editor, photographer, photo editor) for "Shop!," the official magazine of Shop!, which is an international association for the manufacturers of components for retail store displays, including mannequins, lighting, shelving, flooring, architecture, etc. Part of my job was also to edit statistical analysis reports (white papers) and catalogs. While I was there, the association was transforming itself after a recent merger. In October 2015, the Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) merged with Point of Purchase Advertising International (POPAI). My office was in Hollywood, Florida.

August 17, 2023: During the 1979-1980 school year, I attended Northfield Mount Hermon School on two campuses in Northern Massachusetts. I entered the senior class as a PG (Post-Graduate student). I had already graduated from West Islip High School on Long Island, New York, in 1979, when I was 18 years old, so I actually have two high school diplomas.

Later, I would receive a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in the French language from Villanova University (1984) and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri (1988).

Today Is ...

August 16, 2023: I used to drink an alcoholic beverage called the Cuba Libre (simply rum and Coca-Cola) decades ago. I will take this opportunity to urge you to put whisky, not rum, in your eggnog, as per global tradition. Thank you.

August 16, 2023: I'm not a fan.

What's Going On Today?

August 15, 2023: I have loved my mother's Lemon Meringue Pie since I was a kid in the 1960s.

August 15, 2023: That's me ... every day.