Monday November 7 2016

Well today I went to the Mnt Vernon clinic for a little bit.

This morning the distribution machine for the newspaper has taken my money without giving me the newspaper...I felt a deep sense of frustration and a sense of betrayal.

Depending on an antiquate machine for the paper is a model of distribution belonging to a different time or a different country.. you pick the one that best fits the situation.

 it is really an antiquate way of distribution... when it does not work it makes me wonder how much longer this  system will be in place for.

When it does not work the machine just eat the money and literally steal it out. Ain't my money anyway as it comes from CNS reception.

I had a good weekend overall.

For sleeping I take many medications. Above all for a happy sleep I take Depakote Divalproex. To enhance my sleeping I take, Melatonin and Ambien ... To treat my depression I take Trazodone 
Overall a  wonderful cocktail of night drugs...

In the evening I take Metagenics (Vitamin)

For the morning more Metagenics, Divalproex and something else

But let's go in order.

Yesterday was Sunday .  The clock has changed as DST ended and I set all the clock in the apartment backward by one hour. We are going back to standard time.

As every Sunday I went to the church at St. Philips the Apostle on Stockdale.

The Gospel was of a woman who got married to each one of sever brothers as they passed away one after the other. Jesus is asking who this woman will be married to when she will pass away.

He is also telling the crowd not to focus too much on the things that belong to this world rather focus on things that matter to God.
It does not matter who we are married to if we are implementing God's will our soul will belong to God.
Next reverent Sal (Salvatore) gave the financials of the church. It is a really well present income statement. He mentioned that the church is required to provide a full disclosure of its financials and that it needs to pass an audit.

I gave $5.75 at church as an offer. All the outing money (and a bit more) I had left.
Next ti me there was a nice person. He much be a 50 years old man, impeccable dressed

At the time of the offer he pulled out from his pocket a stack of $20 bills. And gave one for the offer.

I guess everybody contributes based on his/her capabilities.

At church I met Rose. She is Cassie's grandma.

After church we went to grab a coffee and a piece of doughnut together just chatting about life.

She mentioned that her son Ron is suffering from a bad back and that her granddaughter Cassie is working too hard.

After church I had a lunch and went to the gym

For lunch I made a frittata with sliced small Russel potatoes.
Very yummy.

I eat a lot of eggs. It is cheap, very nutritious and contains good nutrients.

My wife mentioned I eat too many eggs...

I signed out at  1:55pm and arrived at the gym at 2.26pm

I worked on a  lot of cardio
-stair master 40 minutes 2.77 miles
-multi mode robe trainer level 5 Dist 1 miles in 20 minutes ( this is a machine that works on my core and back muscle)
- rotary torso 4x40x40lb

I took my weight on the analog scale. It is 176 lb.

At 4:05 I left the gym and called CNS.

I arrived at the apartment at 4:36pm and signed back in.

I like walking along the street. 

There are as always different type of driver along the road.

I am always making sure it is my responsibility to make sure I am safe. 

Here is a picture of my memory book to show all about last Sunday.

Last Saturday November 5 I have been busy with different activity.

The best way to describe it at CNS is as ADL (Activity of Daily Living)

Cleaning the whole apartment.

Running the vacuum cleaner of all the carpet.

Cleaning the bathroom

cleaning the sink

cleaning the toilet and the shower area

Washing the floor with the swifter.

Removing the dust from around the furniture of the apartment.

I clearly washed all my clothes, changed the bed and washed my bathrobe.

I went to do grocery shopping at 10:30 at Trader Joe's

I spent $58.53 

Jamie was there. She was a bit distressed.

She mentioned her dad passed away over Halloween weekend.

It must be hard for her family.

 In the afternoon I wrote a letter to our kids.

In CNS lingo this corresponds of  doing some THP (Therapeutic Home Program)

In my own views this corresponds of taking care of the family as a whole.

In the evening I went to the Maya theater to watch the following movie.

Hacksaw Ridge was running in ATMOS theater.

It is a premium surround sound system.

The sounds in multi-directional, clear and really pervasive

I enjoyed the movie which is based on a true story.
 It is based on a gold medal recipient soldier of WWII who was a deeply religious person and the first conscience objector to allow to go to war as a medic aid.

My mother send me a picture of her Sunday evening. She went to visit her friend Claudia at her house.

I believe this is Claudia playing the guitar.

Going back to last Friday, after therapy I came back to the apartment where I reside.

In the afternoon at 5:23 pm I signed out and went to the gym.

At 5:50pm I arrived at the gym.

The class of Zumba with Caroline had already started so I joined right in the mix.

Arji, Lee and all the people that are taking the class where there. The music is often the same and the movements are the same ... same fun as always.

I enjoyed very much my cardio exercise.

At 7pm it was time for me to leave.

I came back with the transportation of CNS.

Speaking of the transportation I was supposed to be picked up by 7pm
And I was expecting so... it is on my Program after all.

I got ready to leave on time, yet they made me wait and wait at the gym's reception, I am always  seating on the bench.

I was boiling of disappointment as every time I feel CNS is taking advantage of the situation,.


I took a selfie of my glowing eyes... can you stair at mt eyes and sustain it..

Here I am a person that has certain expectation , perhaps too much of it... can you blame me?

Brandon sent me the following link about all the proposition on the ballot for the election tomorrow.
I am going to read the proposition

Let's review the science about eating eggs.

I eat several eggs per week as it is a cheap food  and an  easy way to get nutrients.

The science is clear that up to 3 whole eggs per day are perfectly safe for healthy people who are trying to stay healthy. Bottom Line: Eggs consistently raise HDL (the “good”) cholesterol. For 70% of people, there is no increase in Total or LDL cholesterol.

So I  believe I am fine, staying and being healthy.

By the way I have asked CNS for a  new copy of my program.

The one I have is  9 months old and being in paper format it looks like an old piece of papers.

Obviously for them is OK, for me it is not OK.

We are in the XXI century. As such the technology to provide electronic information is widely available even at CNS.

Friday November 4 2016

The Presidential Election is fast approaching.
On November the 8th the counry will vote.

The two candidates are feeling the heat of the closing days.


Right now Miss  Clinton  has a tight margin over Mr Trump.

For a very interesting chart please follow the this link.

It has been a fierce and hard fought campaign overall.

A lot of money has been spent from both parties and candidates during this process.


At time it has been an ugly  campaign, showing how harsh can become the political debate.


I am frankly hoping for the first woman to be President.

I have my faith in the American people, honesty and balanced reality.

Yet we  will see on November the 8th. The Election is a few days away.

The future might have a huge surprise after all.

You never know the will of the people until the whole Election process is completed.

Most of the people I am talking to have already cast their ballot by mail.


California is a historical strong hold for the Democratic party.

 So it goes by itself that most people here are leaning for Miss Clinton.

Yet at the gym I am talking with Wayne. He is a hardcore Republican. He has no concerns of using very colorful and disrespectful words to describe the person he does not like.

Yesterday evening after therapy  I had a quick and healthy dinner.

I believe part of it is shown in this picture. I do not remember much about it.

Afterward I cleaned the apartment, signed out and went to the gym by myself.

I signed out at 5:30 pm, walked to the gym  and arrived at 5:57 pm

I had Body Combat with Scott. After the workout I had cycle with Cassie.

Scott is probably a new persons so he was reversing his routine by following a master plan laid out on the floor in front of himself.

Cassie is a seasoned trainer at the gym, she knows quite well her routine and how to motivate the class.

Finally at 7:10pm I was done. I greeted Cassie- she mentioned see you next Sunday at church.

I then called CNS to let them know I was done.
Brandy picked up and send an NRS (Crystal)  to pick me up.

As the van was out, it stopped at Body exchange to pick up Kathy, another patient at CNS.

Breakfast this morning.

This morning I've been having a terrible headache.

It has happened to me before.

Whenever something goes wild in my head, it is a terrible pain. It goes across my temples as if I had two needles planted through my skulls.

This is the best way to describe it anyway.

In the morning as always I have been doing my walking in the park

It is a nice and cold day.

Walking with large stride keeping up with my balance and physical fitness in the morning.

The flowers at the apartment are always a great subject for my phone.

I know it is every day a pictures... well better the flowers than the NRS or the patients at CNS.

Rules do apply at CNS after all.

I had a terrible ride at CNS, with patient G. L.  drooling over my shoulder. Whenever there is a bad ride my head goes wild...

Well probably it should be noted that I do not like to ride the van with other patients leaning on me.

I used to flight Southwest airlines, yet passengers over there were respectful and it was understood it was a commercial airline. People were there as there was a clear goal to their flight.


No patient G. L. whatsoever to lean over me and to sleep over my shoulder...

I am not sure the CNS realizes  this matter. Or if it does it is not willing to accommodate a better ride anyway.

At the Home of Hope there is hardly anybody today.

Miss Vee is here and a few more people that I normally meet here.

Because  I normally bring food with me I was not expecting to have food here unlike the ones that have stayed at the clinic in Mt Vernon. They were expecting food to be provided to them by CNS.

I am not expecting any food, so here it is the food I had been eating today.

A good chicken broth with Basmati rice.  I cooked it the other day.

I added a turkey meat ball that I had frozen ahead of time.

 Together with the chicken of the broth it makes a very nice combination.

As a fruit I had really good and colorful grapes. In season and really healthy.

I am trying to stay hydrate as much as possible. Hopefully this headache I have been having today goes away.

I am suffering of headache on a regular basis. Whenever the atmosphere is too stressful for me at the clinic, in the van or whenever people are smoking next to me my head goes wild. I like to be left alone by myself. I do not like to be with other patients of CNS...

Everybody says relax...

Yes do relax by  going away from the clinic at CNS (signing out procedure)

In a couple of days the clock is going to be set back one hour. DST ends and it is going to Standard time.

This means the day light  time is going to be shorten.

Winter time is getting there.

I know that my internal clock (circadian cycle) will be really slow in n adjusting to this schedule.

I can  not sleep no matter what, no matter the days of the week nor the season I can not stay in bed past a certain time. It is stronger than me, it has always and will always be this way.

I have a clean schedule for sleeping. I get my sleeping med by 9pm, this means I am going in bed by that time (Melatonin, Trazodone and Ambien is a good cocktail for sleeping).

Next week is going to be one with a lot of  medical appointment.

On November 9 I am  going to pick up the retainer for my teeth. 

My wife Simona had to pay out of pocket $500 so I am most definitely going to use it.

On November the 10th I have an MRI and MRA (Angiography) for my head.

the results of  the medical imaging procedure are going to be added to a CD.

It is coming with me when I am going to visit Dr Alois Zauner in Santa Barbara at some point in not so distant future

He his the neurosurgeon who has operated me at the head several years ago.

He has not seen me since 2012. I am sure he will check my shunt and my eyes carefully.

At the end of December I have another doctor appointment with Dr Castillo for my right eye where I had a vitrectomy.

Enjoy the reading and the weekend

Giuseppe

Thursday November 3 2016

This morning I  had a good breakfast. Did my stretches in bed per Cassie suggestion.


I had a light and fulfilling breakfast.

It was time for me to get at the reception for money management. To walk in the park
to snap a picture for the park..


I had the last newspaper at the stand.

Well it is a thin newspaper.

at AAC I read the newspapers not much to it

I touched based with Melissa my nurse. I had to line up and wait to get her attention and  service.

Obviously it is a  facility with  maxed out  capability.

In my opinion - and I have already been expressing it- there are too many patients for CNS and a too  small facility.

They are building a new clinic, that is right, perhaps by then they will have maxed out the number of occupants as well. This is a flourishing line of business to be indeed. Be a medical personnel in a center of CNS.


 Here are the reasons for joining:  good pay, fringe benefit a good  401k plan included, sick days, and parental leave. You have to be able to pass a drug tests ahead of time. Having a good driving record is a plus.

I talked with my Nurse Melissa at AAC  it is just touching base about a MRI and MRA  to my brain.
On November the 10 at 7:10 am I am going to Kern Radiology. I am leaving from the apartment at 6:45am. The whole medical procedure will last 2-3 hours.

It will be compared to the scan I had in 2012

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Angiography

You can read about MRI and aneurysm here at the following link.

An MRI is basically an imaging method to look into my skull using  a big magnet imaging technique. The magnet is used to generate a large Magnetic field to image the cell and their water content.

When the magnet fires, it  is excited using a series of electric pulses. Correspondingly it emits a set of loud noises and a train of  magnetic pulses.

So do not bring a credit card with you.

Only amagnetic material is allowed.

You find useful information about Angiography at this link.

An Hagiography is another imaging technique using X-ray. It is used to map the blood vessel in areas of interest (in my case the brain). A contrast liquid based on Iodine is typically injected into the blood stream to make sure there is enough contrast available.

I remember after you get Iodine injected in your vein you are expelling it out through your kidneys and your urinary system. Basically you are going to the bathroom and the liquid from your body is a bright yellow color.

Yesterday evening I went back to the CNS apartment 623. I leave at home in Bakersfield.

I  do  not want to be located in any other place but Bakersfield.

This is where my life is right now. My gym my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's with the whole crew for what I developed a good connection with.

I also got used to get the money management program  every week.

Right now I am on a weekly cycle. They do not trust me as I have been messing up things.

You see how well it goes...

On Thursday I am paid fresh money. The day before I am required of producing the receipts from the previous week. It goes at the reception of CNS with Miss Mary.

The insurance gives me $75 for Grocery (food) and $24 for Outing ( Entertainment and church)

Yesterday an NRS distributed the latest schedule rather than me.

I booked for movie at 5pm. Patients are invited to book for those activities that they care about.

I care about movie. I do not care about Jamba juice, bookstore nor recycle (I throw away every thing).  I let the others care for it. I can see some patients that come back with big bags of recycle from their activity in the community.  They are making a point of  attending to different events so that they can bring back big bags for recycle...

Let them be and  do not feel sorrow for them. It is not their fault they are that way.
Not their fault they spit on the floor nor their fault they dresses with clothes that are strapped.

However it is their fault for smoking next to me, it is their choice for stinking of smoke...
I am very sensitive to this matter.

Last Sunday I had booked for haircut.  As  I had booked for a hair cut ahead of time I duly checked at the reception... Obviously The list did not include me.  I talked to my  current IPC Brandy.

She picked up the phone, called Rebecca at the reception and demanded me to be added right away.


She knew that I had booked in advance with her as I  had called her and sent her  an email. You see whenever you are part of the community of patients at CNS, you are never sure whether CNS  gets it right or  messes it up.

I have always been a person that is fair and square. I praise myself for  being so.

In the evening while I was waiting I made some chicken broth.

I had chicken breast, so this time I had no  chicken legs to use.

Next time I need to buy chicken drumsticks as the broth is far  tastier.

I added a frozen turkey meatball that I had made some time back.

A bouillon cube, Parmesan Cheese, Olive Oil have been used to adjust the flavor.

As a side I cooked Brawn Basmati rice.

I had time to make it and eat it.

Obviously the service for the  Hair cut was scheduled to be at 7pm but at  10 minutes past seven nobody had showed up to take care of business. 

You see whenever you are a TBI patient you are subject to the hassles of the CNS service.

It is a warm feeling of being held hostage for something that I do not have any fault.

At Great Clips I met Martha. She was there a few months back always cutting hairs.

Obviously after Great Clips - after everybody was done  we had to wait for Greg.

He snicked out and got food at Chipotle for himself.

Can you blame it for being hungry that late..

We had to wait for him as if he was the king of the situation.

By the way you should have seen the company at large.

Very uplifting  indeed.

Obviously things got late and I  came back at the apartment well past 8pm.

As a matter of fact I am used to get my evening shower no matter what.  So  I took my evening shower.

I had it anyway, Virginia came in the apartment to give me my Ambient, it is schedule for 8:30 9pm.

I was drying out and she had to wait outside for me to get ready, oh yes because Ambien (zolpidem) is a narcotic controlled substance so CNS has to make sure I get it before nursing can be leaving.

Well there are a lot of irritating inconveniences (hassles) as to have to rely on your services.

If it were up to me. I would and had given  a  B- to the service

May I have my money back please? 

Wednesday November 2 2016

It is a nice day in Bakersfield.

It is a cold time. I am using long socks and a Patagonia pile to keep me warm.


I also realized that I  need to have a hairs cut. Tonight I am going to have one at Great Clips.


I am looking forward to having short hairs again. I am feeling  more professional with short hairs. Not as hippie as I feel right now.

Last time I had a hairs cut was on August the 24th  at Great Clips.

 About two and a half month ago. It might not sounds long to you. It is perhaps so, but to me it feel that it has been a long time.

This morning I had a good breakfast as always light and healthy.

Yogurt, cereal with blueberry,  chia seeds and yogurt. Enough for a morning.

I am waking up early when outside is  still dark then the sun comes up and the light shines until the evening. You feel the time has come to change the clock and to go back to the time given by the sun.

DST (Daylight Saving Time) is going to end in 4 days on November the 6th, two days before Election day. Clock is going to be set backward a full hour. Despite gaining an hour of sleep. I bet I will  be keeping my schedule for a while. In fact I have trouble sleeping past a certain time even during weekend.

As every Wednesday morning today  I had the first part of the money management done.

 Today it was the receipt day for me. Tomorrow is the actual money day.


In the morning I like to wake my body up  by walking in the park.
Before getting up from my bed in the morning I started doing  some stretching for  my back muscle.

 It helps warming up my body.

At the gym Cassie mentioned I should keep doing stretches to help my back.

I feel this is working really well for my back and my back pain.

The kids are fine, as always they are at school. I called them and our eldest Chicco picked up the phone. He is a very grown up person. Lapo is our youngest, he is a bit less independent than Chicco.

Lapo likes to speak in English very much. Different temperament and different age compared with his brother. At time Lapo speaks to me in Spanish as if I were Marina our nanny.

It is fine, as I can speak in Spanish as well.

The usual flowers at the apartment. Every day I  snap new pictures  as it appears a bit different every single day.

My mother sent me the  picture below from Italy.

It is taken from the apartment where she leaves.

It shows the birch (betulla) tree in front of her home. 

The birch has browned its leaves.

 At time Verona has a much denser fog.

It is winter time over there and it is also fog season.

My mother told me that this morning she went to have an  X-rays  image taken  to her back spine.

She is doing fine but  she has trouble walking . She is feeling the time passing by.

She told me that being able to walk and run is  as important as being able to think.

Yesterday evening I went to do Personal Shopping at Target as a result I did not go to the gym.

I focused on cooking

I made a frittata with the pasta I had left at the apartment

I broke two eggs, added seasoning, milk and mix it with the cooked pasta.

The frittata is a good way to eat easy protein.  Carbs from the pasta and a healthy dinner.

Later at 6:30pm I went to Personal Shopping at Target.

I normally go to Personal Shopping once in a month as I prefer going to the gym instead.

Whenever I am realizing I need to purchase something I am taking action.

I purchased Proanamel toothpaste 

Also I purchased   Listerine Mouthwash.

A patient from CNS was in the line in front of me. He was paying and was short by 60 cents. this much was the taxes. As I was there I gladly gave him a dollar bill to cover.

I am sure he appreciated. 

While at Target I met Caroline which is a NRS working at CNS as well. 

I greeted her and went on with my activity.

I had a good and relaxing lunch at the Homes of Hope. I  talked with Barbara over lunch about my  family situation. I explained her about our kids and about Simona.

Also I reviewed with her the financials of the Money Management Program. It is fine and accepted.


I mentioned that last time I did not spent any money in the outing as I was in La Canada with the family. I  confirmed that I gave back the whole unused outing money.

Normally I spend outing money on the movie ticket and a healthy snack (edamame and tea)
I never buy a soda as I do no like drinking  sodas.

The remaining balance of my outing money is typically used at church as S. Philippe the Apostle church on Stockdale Hwy. Barbara mentioned she knows where the church is located.

The election is looming. On November 8th the US is called to be electing the next President.

Early voting has already started in some States.

I frankly believe and hope the country will be able to elect the first female President of it story.

We will see.

Sincerely

Tuesday November 1st 2016

Today in Italy is the day of celebration of All  Saints.

People are called to visit their loved ones at the churchyards.

It is a recurrence for Catholic people.
In Italy most of the people are Catholic.


My family is making sure to pay tribute to our family roots in S. Gregorio di Veronella where the family burial is located.

The inscription on the red stone reads "Famiglia Rossi". It literally meas "the Rossi family".
I am part of the Rossi family.

My father  took care of organizing the design and of having it  implemented. He is part of the people hosted there.

This morning I had new morning meds.  After a healthy  breakfast as always I walked around the park.

In the morning I have 11 pills to take.

I made a great coffee with frothed milk.

Yogurt, hemp seeds, cereal with blueberry. Organic whole milk.

The roses at the apartment are always offering a great subject for  my  pictures.

Walking in the park in the morning is always a source of pride for me.

Extending my steps and making sure it is getting better and better.

The family is well. Simona and the kids are fine.

As always the kids will be at school in La Canada.

After school the kids will have a busy afternoon.

Homework  and piano lesson with Liz. Both the kids do play well at the piano.

Our eldest Chicco is very proficient and independent. Our youngest Lapo needs a bit of encouragement  as he tries to cut corners in order to shorten his duty. 

It is their routine, if only I could start remembering more about their activities. It is clear that I am not part of their routine as I do not leave with them. It has been going this way for the past four years. 

It is fine by me.

Yesterday evening I did not go to the gym as I had grocery shopping to do.

I went to Trader Joe's in the evening at 6:30pm. They were surprised to see me there at that time.

Josh mentioned his daughter is getting stronger. He has a few months old daughter. When I asked about her he told me she is trying to seat tall by herself. She is still wobbling. 

I picked up a lot of healthy and good food.

I spent  only .... $91.67 And it is supposed to be for five days as next Saturday I am shopping again.

We will see what the future will look like by then.

It is fine. I normally eat everything and enjoy having healthy food.

 My RTC Brandi set up a red flag " a hot issue"  for me for taking me to Trader Joe's even on a Monday night.

I appreciated the consideration. Jamie was off as yesterday it was her birthday. She told me in advance she would not work on her  birthday (she turned 38 years old)

In the evening I cooked some really healthy and yummy food.

I sliced zucchini squash. Seasoned with salt, garlic and oregano.

It cooked in  the oven for 30 minute.

A few minutes of grill to give a little crispiness.

Simona gave me red Tomato  sauce.  

Additionally I purchased it yesterday evening from Trader Joe's.

Here is the product's picture.

This is my cooking activity with the pasta boiling, the zucchini ready and and the tomato sauce in the large container.

I boiled pasta with a lot of water and a bit of  pyramid salt.

The pasta was then mixed with the cooked zucchini and the tomato sauce.

Finally it was time for  adding a lot of Parmesan Cheese and  Olive Oil

Simple and healthy cooking. Italian cooking is a very healthy approach to cooking.

Rarely red meat, a lot of veggie, healthy Oil and little or no fat.

A  lot of veggies, no condiment no sauces, no juice nor soft drink.

In fact I do not drink any juice nor any kind of soft drink. 

It simply does not appeal to me. On the other hand I drink a substantial amount of coffee.

I have been invited for dinner at the Homes of Hope for November the 7th.

I just call Amanda at AAC to confirm my presence.

For lunch I had my home made meal.

A left over slice of meat loaf Polpettone) that I made  a few days ago. 

A healthy pasta with zucchini from yesterday and a Bartlett pear.

I did no finish eating the pasta. My plan is to make a frittata later tonight with the left over.

We will see how it goes by the time I get back to the apartment.

I called and spoke with  my mom in Italy. She is not feeling that well.

She mentioned that both  her balance and walking are giving her troubles.

For instance yesterday she could not go to  S. Gregorio either.

Today she is going to the doctor to see if he can prescribe her any medication for her legs.

I fully know what it feels like having a perdurable pain in a limp.

I myself have been going through that symptom and for different reasons anyway.

She is in good spirit accepting the fact she her ability of moving around is limited.

Also accepting to rely on her friends for managing to go around Verona.

Luckily she has got some good people around her to help her a lot along this journey.

Italian like to eat healthy... yes I am a healthy eater. 

I do not like any type of  junk food,  sodas. I do not use any  sauce to flavor the meat and the different recipes. Pretty much I like to cook and eat in a simple way.

It is not me, it is because I do not like it.

As my wife Simona says once in a while you can let you guard down and eat a bit once in a while.

Speaking of Simona I noticed she is getting thinner and thinner.

She must have lost more weight, with all the sleepless nights and all the nerve wracking responsibilities  she has been having recently the last thing she must have in her mind is to eat.

Well you know my wife, she does what she has to do in life as she is at the head of the family,

She is having a big boulder on her shoulder to carry around.

She is clearly over stretched but she is what is has to do.