Donald and Pie

June 9, 2023

I am taking donations to buy Donald a pair of pants. 😉

June 9, 2023

... not for me ... I dislike strawberries, and I think that I dislike rhubarb.

R.I.P. Pat Cooper

June 9, 2023

I am saddened by the passing of Italian comedian Pat Cooper. When I was a kid in the 1960s, my mother had two of his comedy albums to which we often listened. His comedy was such an integral part of the Italian part of my upbringing. R.I.P. (My mother is all Italian. I am half Italian, as well as Austrian, Swiss, and Portuguese.)

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/pat-cooper-comedian-sinatra-opener-dead-93

Fat

June 9, 2023

John Lennon referred to around 1965, 1966 as his "Fat Elvis" period, as in Elvis Presley. I refer to the late 1980s as my "Fat Lennon" period.

Memory: 1 Year Ago

June 8, 2023

I wasn't going to post this memory because one year ago today, I was a massive physical wreck following quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery in March 2022 and two chest surgeries in May 2022. Then, I thought, why not? I am so fortunate and blessed to be comparatively better than I was on this date last year and, for that matter, the rest of the year and into 2023.

While I have had a tough recovery that is continuing, I want you to know that I am so much better than I was last year. While I am still experiencing numbness and some pain in my chest, it is not even close to the pain I experienced for almost all of last year and into this year.

By the way, I didn't return home until July 21, 2022. I entered the hospital on May 13, 2022, and was transferred to a physical rehabilitation facility on June 3, 2022. So, I was away from home for a total of 70 days.

For specific information, you can read my post from last year (below).

If Facebook blurred the photo (below), click/tap on "learn more," and then click/tap on "see photo."

1 Year Ago

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.

My "Poison" Of Choice

June 8, 2023

My "poison" is Campari and orange juice in an Old Fashioned glass over ice.

I Is A Rye Tah !!!

June 7, 2023

I am writing an autobiographical novel, so be careful. 😉 ... Just kidding. I won't use your real name. 😆

Chocolate Ice Cream & VCRs

June 7, 2023

I prefer chocolate ice cream to vanilla ice cream, and I dislike strawberry ice cream.

June 7, 2023

I still have many videotapes, but no video player. I even have videotapes with the PAL format from Austria, which I couldn't play even if I had a video player. I watched them long ago at my cousin's home in Austria.

Mistake

Sometimes, there is nothing to learn from a mistake. (06.06.23)

You have yet to make your worst mistake. (06.06.23)

Today Is ...

June 6, 2023

I do like the occasional applesauce cake.

I do have a fair amount of higher education: a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in the French language from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania; and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

Beings, Not Doings

We are human beings, not human doings. Just be. Don't do. (6.6.23)

What's Going On Today?

June 5, 2023

I have restarted my life many, MANY times due to many changes throughout my life: many jobs, many religions, many living locations, many interests, however, not many women.

June 5, 2023

I used to eat veggie burgers when I used to be a vegetarian. I occasionally still do. Actually, due to diabetes and results of recent blood tests (low protein, low iron, low hemoglobin), I have started a high-protein, meat-based diet with limited carbohydrates.

June 5, 2023

I somewhat like gingerbread. I do like crystallized ginger.

June 5, 2023

I have imbibed grain alcohol while at university in the early 1980s, but never straight. It's at least 95 percent alcohol. We drank it as "grain punch" (grain alcohol mixed with fruit juices).

Stuffed Peppers For Dinner

June 4, 2023

For dinner, my wonderful wife made green bell peppers stuffed with ground beef, fresh onions, fresh garlic, ground black pepper, dried basil, and Acini di Pepe (tiny pasta), with tomato sauce, topped with an Italian cheese blend (Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Asiago, and Romano), and then baked. (She usually uses Israeli couscous as the pasta.)

YouTube: PICC Line Video

June 4, 2023

I uploaded another video onto my YouTube channel.

IV Antibiotic Done; PICC Line Gone (June 4, 2023)

YEAH !!! Today, I have finished my six-week-long regimen of daily infusions of an intravenous antibiotic through a PICC line in my upper left arm for cellulitis in my right foot/leg and suspected osteomyelitis in my right foot. This early afternoon, my home nurse gave me my final daily infusion and removed my PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter). The line is 49 centimeters (19 19/64 inches) long inside of my body, plus the 2-inch-long port outside of my body. It starts with the port in my upper left arm, winds through the veins in my chest, and ends near my heart.

As for now, I am still dealing with two fractures (tibia and fibula) in my right ankle due to two recent falls, and also avascular necrosis I think in my right ankle or somewhere in my right foot.

I am happy my daily infusions have ended. I will feel much better in a few days. However, tomorrow, I will start a short-term regimen of an oral antibiotic: two tablets every day for 14 days. Also tomorrow, I have my final blood extraction for testing. I am surely glad that this is over.

https://youtu.be/1RHAJ-Dh2Rs

My PICC Line Is Out

June 4, 2023

PHOTO: my PICC line (about 22 inches long) that my home nurse removed this early afternoon from my upper left arm

YEAH !!! Today, I have finished my six-week-long regimen of daily infusions of an intravenous antibiotic through a PICC line in my upper left arm for cellulitis in my right foot/leg and suspected osteomyelitis in my right foot. I started the regimen while admitted to the hospital, using the intravenous drip method for the last few days of my hospital visit and continued at home using the intravenous push method every day. My home nurse administered the dose every day at home.

This early afternoon, my home nurse gave me my final daily infusion and removed my PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter), as per my infectious-disease doctor who approved the removal of the line during my appointment with him on June 1, 2023. It was easier and less painful coming out than going in, the latter taking about 45 minutes, the former about 30 seconds.

The line is 49 centimeters (19 19/64 inches) long inside of my body, plus the 2-inch-long port outside of my body. It starts with the port in my upper left arm, winds through the veins in my chest, and ends near my heart.

I have done the six-week-long regimen many times in recent years for cellulitis in both of my legs and osteomyelitis in my left foot due to diabetic ulcers in both of my feet, once resulting in kidney failure (both kidneys) which required six weeks of dialysis (four straight hours, seven days per week). My kidneys recovered.

I have had four surgeries on my left foot: one to remove part of a decayed bone due to osteomyelitis; two to remove a joint, bone fragments, and scar tissue due to osteomyelitis; and one to remove a benign tumor that was growing within a diabetic ulcer. 

As for now, I am still dealing with two fractures (tibia and fibula) in my right ankle due to two recent falls, and also avascular necrosis I think in my right ankle or somewhere in my right foot.

I also have arthritis in both of my feet, but that's from a past diagnosis.

I am happy my daily infusions have ended. I will feel much better in a few days. However, tomorrow, I will start a short-term regimen of an oral antibiotic: two tablets every day for 14 days. Also tomorrow, I have my final blood extraction for testing. I am surely glad that this is over.

What's Doin' Today?

June 4, 2023

Yes, there is a day to honor old maids, also known as spinsters (older women who never married nor have children). These days, the number of old maids has increased and continues to increase rapidly. Women who concentrate on their careers instead of marrying and starting families are sadly discovering that men their own age actually prefer women who are younger than them. It really is a trend. I read that investors are now focusing more on wine companies and cat food producers. It sounds like a joke, but it's true.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that many American men are traveling to Japan to find traditional wives. This also increases the number of old maids in the United States. I also didn't mention that I played the card game Old Maid when I was a young kid in the 1960s.

June 4, 2023

I enjoy almost all kinds of cheeses, but I would say that my favorite cheese is Leyden.

June 4, 2023

I enjoy the occasional cognac.

Spanish Grand Prix

Sunday, June 4, 2023

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

Today's circuit (track) is the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

The first six races were in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Miami, and Monaco. This season, there are two races in Italy and three races in the United States. The Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, 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). One driver is from the United States.

Observation

June 3, 2023

Observation: The so-called "patriarchy" does not exist. It's just a convenient excuse many women use to explain their failures.

Frittata For Breakfast

June 3, 2023

My wonderful wife made this delicious frittata for breakfast this morning: eggs; Half and Half (milk and cream); onions and spinach sautéed in unsalted butter; sliced tomatoes; cottage cheese; feta cheese; ground black pepper; and dried basil.

Today Is ... (Busy)

June 3, 2023

On a hunting trip in Canada long ago, my uncle shot and had mounted a record-setting, 650-pound black bear. My mom and I nicknamed him Max after the boxer Max Baer, whose son, Max Baer Jr., played Jethro Bodine on the TV sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies. Both my uncle and his father (my grandfather) were pugilists.

I prefer Prosecco to ChChampagne.

I do like to eat chocolate macaroons.

Anniversary Of Transfer

June 3, 2023

One year ago today, I was transferred from the hospital to a physical rehabilitation facility during a tropical storm. I spent a total of seventy (70) days away from home, entering the hospital on May 13, 2022, and returning home from the facility on July 21, 2022.

I had two chest surgeries (details below) on May 19 and 25, 2022, which followed my quadruple coronary artery bypass surgery on March 19, 2022. While at the facility, I engaged in daily physical therapy and occupational therapy.

PHOTO: The photo below shows the dressing on my chest for the wound vacuum that continuously sucked on my eight-inch-long incision for many weeks to remove discharge and an infection from within my chest. My chest was left open for about a week between surgeries. My wound-care specialist changed the dressing every two or three days which included severe pain each time. The wound vacuum was discontinued when my chest wound eventually closed.

If Facebook blurred the composite photo that I made (below), click/tap on "learn more," and then click/tap on "see photo."

MEMORY: Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

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; and 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 ... The tube near my neck is for me to inhale oxygen.

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.

"Pepper" Release Anniversary

June 2, 2023

On this date in 1967, The Beatles album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was released in the United States. It was scheduled to be released in the United Kingdom on June 1, 1967, but a leak caused an earlier release on May 26, 1967.

My favorite song from the album is "Lovely Rita."

Trivia:

1. You can hear all four Beatles playing combs with tissue paper.
2. After Paul sings, "and over dinner," there is a faint sound of what is supposed to be a cork being pulled out of a wine bottle. The sound sounds like a finger popping a mouth.
3. Part of the background vocal is, "Love ME Rita," which follows "Lovely Rita."
4. When David Crosby was with The Byrds, he sang backing vocal on this song, but his part didn't make the final cut.
5. The Beatles record producer George Martin played the piano solo. He initially played it more slowly. It was then sped up on tape.

https://youtu.be/eqe_yLT8wd4

What's Doin' Today?

June 2, 2023

I remember well my dad's good friend Don's turquoise-and-white VW bus from the 1960s and 1970s.

June 2, 2023

big fan

June 2, 2023

I do like Rocky Road ice cream and Rocky Road fudge.

June 2, 2023

Yeah, rotisserie chicken is OK, but I prefer basic fried chicken.

Lots Goin' On Today

June 1, 2023

... lots goin' on today ... BTW, for flavor, my favorite nut is the filbert (hazelnut); for texture, it's the cashew.

Doctor's Appointment

June 1, 2023

11 a.m. appointment, infectious disease doctor, regarding cellulitis (infection) in my right foot/leg; two fractures in my right ankle (tibia and fibula); and six-week-long regimen of daily intravenous antibiotic administered through a PICC line in my upper left arm. My last day of infusions is June 4, 2023. Here is a photo of my PICC line apparatus that my home nurse took on May 18, 2023, after her weekly change of the dressing. The line is 49 centimeters (19 19/64 inches) long and winds through the veins in my chest and ends near my heart. I have done the six-week-long regimen many times before due to diabetic ulcers in both of my feet, once resulting in kidney failure (both kidneys) which required six weeks of dialysis (four straight hours, seven days per week). My kidneys recovered.

Hurricane Season Starts

June 1, 2023

The 2023 Hurricane Season begins today (June 1, 2023) and continues through November 30, 2023. My wife and I (and my mother) are preparing here in southeastern Florida. Be careful out there.