What's Doin' At Rehab?

June 22, 2022

I certainly have been relatively busy here at the physical rehabilitation facility. Two of my many activities are shown as numbers 1 and 2 in this composite photo I made this afternoon. (See below.) I guess it's not all that much to do. It's just that there are just so many little and quick activities throughout the day that resting really isn't possible, and my weakness makes doing some of these simple activities more difficult.

1. bandage changes (chest and left foot), daily; photo from today

2. intravenous antibiotic, plus PICC-line flushes with saline solution, daily; photo from today

3. dressing changes for PICC line, not too often

4. many pills every morning, afternoon, and early evening (pain reliever, muscle relaxer, anti-anxiety, aspirin, iron, probiotic, sometimes stool softener, sometimes cholesterol reducer; once, twice, or thrice per day, depending on the type of pill)

5. steroidal nasal spray, twice per day

6. steroidal powder inhaled through mouth, once per day

7. insulin injections, almost every day

8. blood-sugar level monitoring, once every morning

9. blood pressure monitoring, many times per day

10. blood-oxygen level monitoring, many times per day

11. body-temperature monitoring, often

12. blood extraction for testing, every couple or few days

13. adjusting nasal cannula for oxygen (by myself), often

14. adjusting my body (by myself) in bed, often

15. physical rehabilitation, lower-body exercises in bed or sitting and walking, every day

16. occupational therapy, upper-body exercises in bed, every day

17. interrogations by various medical and administrative personnel, often

(I think that's everything.)

Visit From My Wife

June 22, 2022 - My wonderful wife visited with me this morning, brought me snacks, and took this photo of myself.

NOTE: She brought me cookies, granola bars, candy, and electrolyte water beverage mix.

Gone: Wound Vac, 7 Sutures

June 20, 2022: TERRIFIC NEWS !!!

* no more wound vacuum
* no more sutures (seven removed)

This morning, I was transported from a health care & rehabilitation facility to a nearby wound-care facility on a stretcher via ambulance to tend to the 8-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest from open-heart surgery in March, and two chest surgeries in May. (See below for details.)

I no longer require the wound vacuum that was sucking discharge and infected blood from within my chest. Also, all seven sutures in my chest were removed. I still basically have seven holes in my chest, but they are healing quite well. My six-week-long regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and lingering osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot ends on July 1, 2022.

This morning, my plastic reconstructive surgeon's associate removed the wound-vacuum dressing from within and on my chest, and then removed the seven sutures in my chest. I experienced severe pain while she was doing all of that, but now my pain is less severe.

The associate took photos of my chest to show to my surgeon. The nurse also took photos for her records. I requested that the nurse take photos using my camera, before and after bandaging. Below is a photo of my newly bandaged chest.

My next appointment is in one week: 8:45 a.m., June 27, 2022. I hope that I will have enough strength to go in a wheelchair instead of a stretcher.

DETAILS: I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic reconstructive surgeries on my chest last month. 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 closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. He used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision initiated by my open-heart surgery in March, leaving me with seven holes in my chest to heal.

F1

June 19, 2022

I am watching the Canadian Grand Prix on TV. Formula 1 racing is the only sport that I actively follow.

Father's Day: Dad

June 19, 2022

Happy Father's Day to my dad (August 30, 1934 - February 14, 1997). I still sorely and immensely miss him. This is a photo of my dad and me 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, with whom I spoke on the telephone several months ago for her 86th birthday.

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 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.

Father's Day: Bob

June 19, 2022

Happy Father's Day to my father-in-law Bob (R.I.P.). He was not only down to earth but also larger than life. Here I am with Bob and my mother-in-law Lorna (R.I.P.) at our wedding reception on February 4, 2006. Bob, you are sorely missed and forever in our thoughts and our hearts.

Father's Day Cookie

 June 19, 2022

Regaining My Strength

June 17, 2022 - In regard to regaining my strength, I am really starting at rock bottom. What I mean is: I break a sweat and get lightheaded just standing up from my bed. I have been able to sit up for a maximum of 40 minutes but with great difficulty.

This morning, I endured more occupational therapy, specifically upper-body exercises while lying in my bed using two-pound dumbbells and a two-pound stick held in my hands. I have been using one-pound weights before today.

This afternoon, I endured more physical therapy, specifically sitting in a wheelchair and walking short distances in the hallway using a walker.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic reconstructive surgeries on my chest last month. 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 closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. He used seven spaced-out sutures to close the eight-inch-long, vertical incision from my open-heart surgery in March, leaving me with seven holes in my chest to heal.

Medications

June 17, 2022

Morning Pills

1. diuretic

2. muscle relaxer

3. pain reliever

4. iron

5. probiotic

6. aspirin

... plus, steroidal nasal spray this morning, which I also take in the evening, as well as a steroidal/bronchodilator powder that I inhale into my lungs. In the evening, the pills that I take are: pain reliever, muscle relaxer, and anti-anxiety. I was taking a pill to lower my cholesterol, but it's too big for me to swallow. I also stopped taking a different pain medication and acetaminophen because of adverse reactions. I also refused a pain-relieving  patch to be placed on my chest. I tried it once in the hospital, but it proved to be ineffective.

... plus I receive a daily bag of intravenous antibiotic as part of a six-week regimen.

UPDATE (12:45 p.m., today): I was told I will receive in a few minutes two more pills: another muscle relaxer and another iron. Also, I am now receiving my daily intravenous antibiotic.

UPDATE (1:10 p.m.): Now, a nurse told me that I can receive pain-reliever pills every four hours, so I am now going to receive a pill in a few minutes. I have only been receiving this pill in the morning and early evening.

Evening Pills

June 16, 2022

Evening Pills
1. pain reliever (narcotic)
2. muscle relaxer
3. anti-anxiety

Another Medical Update

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Thank you for your prayers, support, and well-wishes in regard to my recent medical "adventures."

This morning, a wound-care specialist/registered nurse changed the wound vacuum dressing (black strip) within and on my chest while I was lying in my bed here at the physical rehabilitation facility. The white patch covers a wound from a recently removed chest drain. (See photo below.)

More than my usual pain ensued.

The dressing is now being changed every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday instead of every three days as in recent weeks. He missed yesterday, but he will be back to change the dressing tomorrow. He also changed the bandage on my left foot, which is changed every day, either by him or by a nurse here at the facility. I have a lingering diabetic ulcer/surgical wound in the ball of my left foot.

I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic reconstructive surgeries on my chest last month. For the first surgery last month, my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed metal sternal plates within my chest due to an infection. For the second surgery, he cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest, and he closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. At that time, he installed a drain in my chest and affixed seven sutures to hold my chest together in certain areas. The drain was removed a short while ago.

My seven wounds are the result of an eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest (from my open-heart surgery) which is being held together with those seven spaced-out sutures. So, I basically have seven holes in my chest that are healing quite well.

I certainly have been busy early today. Before 1 p.m., I swallowed my morning medication as pills (narcotic pain reliever, diuretic, muscle relaxer, aspirin); sniffed steroidal nasal spray to prevent polyps from returning following my sinus surgery several years ago; inhaled steroidal/bronchodilator powder into my lungs via my mouth; engaged in both occupational therapy and physical therapy (exercises while lying, sitting, and standing); and received my daily intravenous infusion of antibiotic as part of a six-week-long regimen for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and lingering osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot. Last year, I had three surgeries on my left foot: two to remove bone fragments within my foot and one to remove a benign tumor growing within a diabetic ulcer. I also had surgery on my left foot several years ago to remove part of a decayed bone.

(As long as I am explaining my recent medical condition: Last year, I experienced kidney failure followed by six weeks of daily dialysis (four straight hours each day) and a thoracentesis procedure that drained 22 ounces of fluid surrounding my right lung through a catheter inserted in my back and into my chest cavity.)

FOR THE FUTURE: My physical therapist (a nice, but tough woman named Krishna) told me today that we are going to the gym tomorrow so that I can ride the stationary bicycle. (We are both Hindus.) I was also told that during my upcoming appointment at the wound-care facility on Monday, June 20, 2022, where I will arrive on a stretcher, I may be taken off of the wound vacuum and switched to regular bandages. It seems like I no longer require the wound vacuum because it now extracts very little discharge and infected blood compared to recent weeks.

HOW THE WOUND VACUUM WORKS: Pieces of foam are stuffed into the wounds within my chest. I have seven sutures within my chest which leave seven open wounds. A long piece of thin foam padding covers my wounds. Medical tape placed on and around the foam forms a vacuum seal. One end of a hose is then snapped onto the foam on my chest with the other end attached to an electric-powered wound vacuum. The vacuum continuously sucks out discharge and infected blood from within my chest. It also helps to heal my many wounds faster by pulling and holding the skin around my wounds closer together.

DISCLAIMER: I am a journalist by trade, so I tend to include in my Facebook posts specific information and overexplanation. I am not looking for sympathy. I just like to write, and I just want to tell my friends and my family members what is going on in my life, the focus of which right now are my medical issues.

I Walked !!!

June 15, 2022 - I WALKED !!!

I am continuing to slowly regain my strength here at the physical rehabilitation facility. This early afternoon, I continued working with my occupational therapist. She guided me through various upper-body exercises using a short, one-pound pole that I held in my hands while lying in bed. Soon after, I continued with my physical therapy. Two therapists helped me to stand and ultimately to walk. Yes, I was actually able to walk a short distance down the hallway and back, to and from my room, using a metal walker for support.

Walking certainly was a challenge, considering I was wearing special padded shoes (due to the diabetic ulcers in both of my feet), plus I had a hose in my nose connected to an oxygen tank; a hose taped onto my chest for my wound vacuum; and a catheter down below with the hose taped to my left thigh. One therapist was there to grab me in case I fell. The other therapist pushed a wheelchair behind me that held the oxygen tank, the wound vacuum, and the catheter bag.

My blood pressure was low when I started (111/40), but was substantially higher when I finished (157/88). My blood pressure has since settled at 129/78.

PHOTO: Here is my "infamous" wound vacuum that constantly sucks out discharge and infected blood from the seven open wounds within my chest to keep them dry and also pulls the individual wounds closer together, both of which promote faster healing. I am expecting to have the wound vacuum dressing on my chest changed today, as I do every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

(I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022, and two plastic reconstructive surgeries on my chest last month.)

CLARIFICATION: My seven wounds are the result of an eight-inch-long, vertical incision in my chest closed with seven sutures.

UPDATE (June 16, 2022): The dressing on my chest was not changed yesterday. It will probably be changed tomorrow. WRONG. It was changed today.

Success At Rehab

June 14, 2022: SUCCESS

I was slightly successful here at the physical rehabilitation facility this early afternoon. I sat at the edge of my bed for more than 30 minutes while eating lunch. It doesn't sound like much, but it is more than I have been able to do.

A therapist was there to help me. It was difficult because of the pain, the cold sweats, and the lightheadedness. I need to force myself to sit for extended periods of time to readjust my body to a sitting position from just a lying position, so says my therapist.

My therapist told me that tomorrow she will help me to walk. That will be quite a challenge for me, considering I don't even have the strength to stand by myself. I require some kind of support from either a therapist or one of those metal walkers.

Since I arrived at the facility, I have been working with various physical therapists and occupational therapists. So far, I have been minimally exercising while lying in bed in an effort to regain my strength.

I was transported to the rehab facility on June 3, 2022, by ambulance from the hospital, where I was since May 13, 2022, due to two chest surgeries. I had quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022. My two surgeries last month were to basically reconstruct my chest due to an infection within my chest.

I do not know when I will return home, but it cannot come soon enough. My six-week-long regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic infusions ends on July 1, 2022, so I will be here for at least that long. However, my release from the facility will probably be governed by the status of my chest wounds and, I suppose, by my ability to physically do the basics of life by myself, such as sitting, standing, and walking.

Thanks again for your prayers and support.

PHOTO: Selfie with my heart-shaped therapeutic pillow, June 14, 2022 ... Whenever I cough, sneeze, sit up, stand, or roll onto my side in bed, I clutch this pillow tightly to my chest for support and to reduce pain. Due to my chest wounds and lack of a sternum (breastbone), I am not permitted to use my arms to elevate or adjust my body unless I hold my arms close to my body.

Wound Vacuum: Chest

June 13, 2022 - This afternoon, a wound-care specialist/registered nurse changed the wound vacuum dressing within and on my chest while I was lying in my bed here at the physical rehabilitation facility. (See photo below.) The dressing is now changed every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday instead of every three days as in recent weeks. That translates into more pain for me. He also changed the bandage on my left foot, which is changed every day, either by him or by a nurse here at the facility.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

(I decided not to restate my medical issues in this post because not much has changed except for a little slow healing. For more information, please check my recent posts.)

New PICC Line Dressing

June 13, 2022 - This morning, I received a change of the dressing on my dual-port 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. I am in the midst of receiving daily intravenous antibiotic infusions for six weeks for a staph infection within my chest, a blood infection, and osteomyelitis (a bone infection) within my left foot. My last infusion will be on July 1, 2022. (In recent years, I have endured many of these six-week regimens for many cases of cellulitis in both of my legs individually and for the lingering osteomyelitis in my left foot.)

4 Tubes In Me

At the time of this [Facebook] post, I have four tubes in me:

1. wound vacuum (chest), continuous
2. oxygen (nose), continuous
3. Foley catheter (down below), continuous
4. intravenous antibiotic (left arm), about 30 minutes, once per day

Water In Urine Cup

A nurse just brought me water in a urine-sample cup. I sincerely hope it wasn't already used. LOL ... In my condition, I have to find humor wherever I can. (I needed the water to take some of my many pills.)

I am here at a physical rehabilitation facility following two recent surgeries in May 2022 due to complications from my quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery in March.

UPDATE: A woman in a heart surgery group on Facebook mentioned that the nurse may be monitoring my water intake. I am not sure because I receive cups of water whenever I ask for them.

Another Vacuum Change

June 10, 2022 - This afternoon, the wound vacuum dressing was changed from within and on my chest in my room here at the physical rehabilitation facility. (See photo below.) It needs to be changed every three days. I have a tentative appointment with my plastic reconstructive surgeon on June 13, 2022, so I am expecting the dressing to be changed at his office on that date.

HOW THE WOUND VACUUM WORKS: Pieces of foam are stuffed into the wounds within my chest. I have seven sutures within my chest which leave seven open wounds. A long piece of thin foam padding covers my wounds. Medical tape placed on and around the foam forms a vacuum seal. One end of a hose is then snapped onto the foam on my chest with the other end attached to an electric-powered wound vacuum. The vacuum continuously sucks out discharge and infected blood from within my chest. It also helps to heal my many wounds faster by pulling and holding the skin around my wounds closer together.

Recent Medical Events (2022):

MARCH 9: I had Quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

MAY 13: I entered the hospital emergency room with severe pain within my chest and within my central back; also, I was admitted to the hospital on the same day.

MAY 19: I had surgery to have metal sternal plates removed from within my chest; and to have a wound vacuum installed to suck out a severe staph infection from within my chest from my recent open-heart surgery.

MAY 25: My plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the wound vacuum from within my chest; cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest; and closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. At that time, he installed a drain in my chest; affixed seven sutures to hold my chest together in certain areas; and replaced the wound vacuum.

MAY 29: An associate of my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the drain within my chest and replaced the wound vacuum dressing within and on my chest.

JUNE 1: Another associate of my plastic reconstructive surgeon replaced the wound vacuum dressing within and on my chest.

JUNE 3: I was transported by ambulance from the hospital to a physical rehabilitation facility, where I am currently residing.

My six-week regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic infusions ends on June 30, 2022, so I will remain here at least until then. I am still dealing with a staph infection within my chest; a blood infection; and lingering osteomyelitis (bone infection) within my left foot. My podiatrist has been monitoring both of my feet with visits to the hospital and now (today) with visits here at the facility.

Also, I will continue to have the wound vacuum dressing within and on my chest changed every three days, which is a rather painful experience. While I am still experiencing constant pain in my chest, even with pain medications, the pain is slightly less than in recent months.

While here, I am engaging in both occupational therapy and physical therapy while lying and sitting in bed. If and when I regain some of my strength, I will be able to stand and hopefully walk.

My release from the facility will ultimately be governed by how healed the wounds in my chest are and, I suppose, my overall strength/weakness.

UPDATE, June 11, 2022:

My last day of intravenous antibiotic is apparently July 1, 2022, because I missed a day in transition.

Wound Vacuum Change

June 8, 2022 - This early afternoon, the wound vacuum dressing was changed from within and on my chest in my room here at the physical rehabilitation facility. (See photo below.) It needs to be changed every three days. My previous change was on June 1, 2022. My next change will be on June 10, 2022. I have an appointment with my surgeon on June 13, 2022, so the dressing will again be changed on that date at his office.

WOUND VACUUM: Pieces of foam are stuffed into the wounds within my chest. I have seven sutures within my chest which leave seven open wounds. A long piece of thin foam padding covers my wounds. Tape placed on and around the foam forms a vacuum seal. One end of a hose is then snapped onto the foam with the other end attached to an electric-powered wound vacuum. The vacuum continuously sucks out discharge and infected blood from within my chest. It also helps to heal my many wounds faster by pulling and holding the skin around my wounds closer together.

Recent Medical Events (2022):

MARCH 9: I had Quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

MAY 13: I entered the hospital emergency room with severe pain within my chest and within my central back; also, I was admitted to the hospital on the same day.

MAY 19: I had surgery to have metal sternal plates removed from within my chest; and to have a wound vacuum installed to suck out a severe staph infection from within my chest from my recent open-heart surgery.

MAY 25: My plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the wound vacuum from within my chest; cleaned out the remaining infection from within my chest; and mostly closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. At that time, he installed a drain and replaced the wound vacuum.

MAY 29: An associate of my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the drain within my chest and replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

JUNE 1: Another associate of my plastic reconstructive surgeon replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

JUNE 3: I was transported by ambulance from the hospital to a physical rehabilitation facility, where I am currently residing. My six-week regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic infusions ends on June 30, 2022, so I will remain here at least until then. My release will ultimately be governed by how healed my chest it.

Conversation At Rehab

June 7, 2022

Conversation at the Physical Rehabilitation Facility

Nurse: Are you ready for change?
Me: Huh?
Nurse: Are you ready for change? Diaper change?
Me: I don't wear a diaper. I use the bathroom.
Nurse: Oh. OK.

Medical Update

June 7, 2022 - I have an appointment at my surgeon's office on June 13, 2022. I am expecting to have the wound vacuum dressing on my chest changed here at the physical rehabilitation facility. I don't exactly know of my physical rehabilitation schedule. While I tested negative for covid before I left the hospital on June 3, 2022, I am currently within a 14-day quarantine here at the rehabilitation facility. My six weeks of daily intravenous antibiotic ends on June 30, 2022, so I will remain here at least until then.

Hospital To Rehab Center

June 5, 2022 - During the late afternoon on June 3, 2022, I was transported by ambulance from Boca Raton Regional Hospital, where I had been since May 13, 2022, to my new temporary home: Heartland Health Care & Rehabilitation Center Of Boca Raton. I have been fighting a staph infection within my chest following my quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 9, 2022. I endured two major surgeries in May at the hospital. (See below.)

I was told that I would be here at this facility for two months, but I think (and hope) that I will return home sooner. My time here will be determined by how fast the many wounds in my chest have healed and also by the remaining days of my six-week daily regimen of intravenous antibiotic which started on May 16, 2022 and will end on June 30, 2022.

I am receiving an antibiotic intravenously every day for the staph infection within my chest; for a blood infection; and for the lingering osteomyelitis (bone infection) within my left foot.

While here at the facility, the wound vacuum on my chest will continue to run continuously; and the dressing that is within and on my chest that holds the wound vacuum in place will continue to be changed every three days, but at my heart surgeon's office.

The lingering diabetic ulcer/surgical wound in my left foot will often be rebandaged, but it is basically healed. My podiatrist will continue to tend to the lingering and "healed" diabetic ulcers in both of my feet, while I am here.

WOUND VACUUM: Pieces of foam are stuffed into my wounds. Then, a long piece of thin foam padding to be attached to a hose covers my wounds. Tape placed around the foam forms a vacuum seal. The electric-powered wound vacuum is then connected to the hose to continuously suck out discharge and infected blood from within my chest. It also helps to heal wounds faster.

PHOTO: It's me in my bed at Heartland Health Care & Rehabilitation Center Of Boca Raton, June 5, 2022. My wife took this photo of myself.

Recent Medical Events (2022):

MARCH 9: I had Quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.
MAY 13: I entered the hospital emergency room with severe pain within my chest and within my central back; also, I was admitted to the hospital on the same day.
MAY 19: I had surgery to have metal sternal plates removed from my chest; and to have a wound vacuum installed to suck out a severe staph infection within my chest from my recent open-heart surgery.
MAY 25: My plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the wound vacuum within my chest; cleaned out the remaining infection within my chest; and mostly closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. At that time, he installed a drain and a wound vacuum.
MAY 29: A plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the drain within my chest and replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.
JUNE 1: Another plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

UPCOMING: Tomorrow (June 6, 2022): I will be transported to my plastic reconstructive surgeon's office to change the wound vacuum dressing that is within and on my chest. I am also scheduled to start physical/cardiac rehabilitation, which is basically walking and light exercises.

UPDATE: June 6, 2022

While I did engage in relatively easy physical rehabilitation in my bed today, I did NOT go to my surgeon's office to change the wound vacuum dressing on my chest. That is hopefully scheduled for tomorrow.

UPDATE, June 11, 2022:

My last day of intravenous antibiotic is apparently July 1, 2022, because I missed a day in transition.

Transported By Ambulance

June 3, 2022 - This afternoon, I will be transported by ambulance from the hospital, where I have been since May 13, 2022, to a "health care and rehabilitation center," where I will live and receive medical care. It's basically a "nursing home."

I do not know how long I will have to stay at the facility, but it could be two months. It depends on how long it takes my chest wounds to heal. It will be nice getting out of the hospital.

While at the facility, the wound vacuum on my chest will continue to run constantly; the bandages on my chest that hold the wound vacuum in place will continue to be changed every three days. I will continue to receive three bags of intravenous antibiotic every day, as I have been receiving here at the hospital every day since May 16, 2022. I require a total of six weeks of basically continuous, intravenous antibiotic for the staph infection within my chest and for the lingering osteomyelitis (bone infection) in my left foot. The lingering diabetic ulcer/surgical wound in my left foot will often be rebandaged. My podiatrist will continue to tend to the lingering and "healed" diabetic ulcers in both of my feet.

PHOTO: the wound vacuum covering the many wounds in my chest, June 1, 2022

WOUND VACUUM: Pieces of foam are stuffed into my wounds. Then, a long piece of thin foam padding to be attached to a hose covers my wounds. Tape placed around the foam forms a vacuum seal. The electric-powered wound vacuum is then connected to the hose to continuously suck out discharge and infected blood from within my chest. It also helps to heal wounds faster.

Recent Medical Events (2022):

MARCH 9: I had Quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

MAY 13: I entered the hospital emergency room with severe pain within my chest and within my central back; also, I was admitted to the hospital on the same day.

MAY 19: I had surgery to have metal sternal plates removed from my chest; and to have a wound vacuum installed to suck out a severe staph infection within my chest from my recent open-heart surgery.

MAY 25: My plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the wound vacuum within my chest; cleaned out the remaining infection within my chest; and mostly closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. At that time, he installed a drain and a wound vacuum.

MAY 29: A plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the drain within my chest and replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

JUNE 1: Another plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

UPDATE: I was just informed by a nurse here at the facility that I will now receive one bag of intravenous antibiotic every day instead of three bags every day. Come to think of it, I was told in the hospital that my infectious-disease doctor changed the type of antibiotic I am receiving. Apparently the new antibiotic has a different dosage.

Another Medical Update

Medical Update, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, June 2, 2022

PHOTOS (below): my chest wounds on June 1, 2022 (left) and on May 29, 2022 (right)

This morning, I was told that I will NOT require more surgery. My plastic reconstructive surgeon deems it best for me to leave my chest wounds open and to continue to use a wound vacuum on them until they heal.

WOUND VACUUM: Pieces of foam are stuffed into my wounds. Then, a long piece of thin foam padding to be attached to a hose covers my wounds. Tape placed around the foam forms a vacuum seal. The electric-powered wound vacuum is then connected to continuously sucks out discharge and infected blood from within my chest. It also helps to heal wounds faster.

While I am still in the hospital, I will soon be transferred to a physical rehabilitation facility where my wound vacuum will be changed every three days and where I will continue to receive three bags of intravenous antibiotic every day, as I have been receiving here at the hospital every day since May 16, 2022. I require a total of six weeks of daily intravenous antibiotic for the staph infection within my chest and for the lingering osteomyelitis (bone infection) in my left foot.

Recent Medical Events (2022):

MARCH 9: I had Quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

MAY 13: I entered the hospital emergency room with severe pain within my chest and within my central back; also, I was admitted to the hospital on the same day.

MAY 19: I had surgery to have metal sternal plates removed from my chest; and to have a wound vacuum installed to suck out a severe staph infection within my chest from my recent open-heart surgery.

MAY 25: My plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the wound vacuum within my chest; cleaned out the remaining infection within my chest; and mostly closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. At that time, he installed a drain and a wound vacuum.

MAY 29: A plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the drain within my chest and replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

JUNE 1: Another plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

UPDATE: I was just informed by a nurse here at the facility that I will now receive one bag of intravenous antibiotic every day instead of three bags every day. Come to think of it, I was told in the hospital that my infectious-disease doctor changed the type of antibiotic I am receiving. Apparently the new antibiotic has a different dosage.

Another Medical Update

Medical Update, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, June 1, 2022

This morning in my hospital room, a different plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon again changed the wound vacuum within my chest and secured it with bandages. A different plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon performed the same procedure three days ago (on May 29, 2022), but at that time, he also removed the drain that was within my chest.

However, today, I received a short blast of intravenous Morphine a few minutes before this morning's procedure, so the severity of the pain was slightly lower than it was three days ago.

My surgeon's associate this morning told me that my wounds are healing well despite still being open. As per my request, she took these two photos of myself this morning for myself and also, more importantly, took a similar photo of my chest wounds for my plastic reconstructive surgeon to once again evaluate. The left photo shows my chest right after she removed the wound vacuum this morning. The right photo shows my new bandages and the vacuum hose after she replaced the wound vacuum.

Recent Medical Events (2022):

MARCH 9: I had Quadruple Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

MAY 13: I entered the hospital emergency room with severe pain within my chest and within my central back; also, I was admitted to the hospital on the same day.

MAY 19: I had surgery to have metal sternal plates removed from my chest; and to have a wound vacuum installed to suck out a severe staph infection within my chest from my recent open-heart surgery.

MAY 25: My plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the wound vacuum within my chest; cleaned out the remaining infection within my chest; and mostly closed my chest by clipping off the tips of my ribs and reattaching my chest muscle flaps to my body. At that time, he installed a drain and a wound vacuum.

MAY 29: A plastic surgeon associated with my plastic reconstructive surgeon removed the drain within my chest and replaced the wound vacuum within my chest.

UPCOMING: My plastic reconstructive surgeon will soon re-evaluate my chest wounds and decide when I will have surgery to ultimately close my chest.