Good morning 0204

 Today I’m holding a laughter yoga meeting. It’s the first one of this year.

As I wrote the other day, our normal routine is slowly coming back.

On the other hand, there is still a little renovation work left. Today, a door repairman is coming, and also a staff member from the welfare equipment rental company.

The only thing left after that is the payment… I’m a little scared to see how much we went over budget.

This is called an-butter monaka — a Japanese wafer sweet filled with red bean paste and butter.

Good morning 0203

 Today is my health checkup day. I was actually unsure whether I should go or not, but an early-morning appointment slot became available, so I decided to take it. I’m leaving in 30 minutes.

Today it is the day of Setsubun.

Good morning 0202 & lunch diary 0201

 A new week has started. I think we’ll probably be able to get back to our usual routine. Yuki is graduating from tennis now, though.

In the morning, while Yuki goes to the clinic, I’ll do a 30-minute workout at the gym using an AI exercise program.

In the afternoon, while I do the grocery shopping, Yuki will ride the exercise bike at the gym. He can’t use the other machines yet, but he can do this one, and that’s nice to see.

For now, keeping and improving our strength is our main daily goal.

Good morning 0201

 February has started. Today, handrails will be attached to the bed through the long-term care insurance program. Next week, the front door will be repaired, and then the home renovations we can do for now should be finished.

This afternoon, we’re thinking of going to the shrine to give thanks for his discharge from the hospital.

by Yuki

Good morning 0131

It is the last day of January, isn’t it?

Yesterday, Yuki did not receive chemotherapy. Since it has been less than a week since he was discharged from the hospital, the doctor decided to take a short break from treatment. The size of the tumor has not changed. We hope he can coexist peacefully with the tumor. Next week, they will discuss which chemotherapy drug to use.

In an hour, a carpenter will come to install a handrail on the stairs.

Little by little, our daily rhythm is settling down again.

At a convenience store in the hospital

Good morning 0130

 Today we are going to the hospital. It is time for Yuki to have his stitches removed.

We are worried about whether he will be able to resume chemotherapy. Dealing with the side effects and maintaining his condition would be very tough. On the other hand, not continuing chemotherapy also makes us feel anxious. I wonder how things will turn out.
For now, we are heading to the hospital. It’s going to be a long day.

Good morning 0129

 It has been a while since I last updated my diary.

The bathroom and washroom renovations are finally finished. A few unexpected things came up along the way, but well, it couldn’t be helped. We went over budget, but I’m really glad we did it.

Yuki is already taking a bath using the handrails. Yes, Yuki has been discharged from the hospital. His oxygen saturation still doesn’t reach 95, and he gets short of breath more easily, but he is in good spirits.

After these repeated hospitalizations, we decided to apply for long-term care insurance. Today, a staff member from the city office is coming to observe our daily situation. We were told that it usually takes about a month before the formal assessment, but thanks to his illness, the process is moving faster. It’s a strange feeling.

Tomorrow we’re going to the hospital again, including having his stitches removed. I wonder what the next steps in his treatment will be.

So many things are happening at the same time that my head feels completely full.

About Japan’s long-term care insurance 

In Japan, we have a public long-term care insurance system. Basically, everyone starts paying into it once they turn 40.

If you’re 65 or older and officially assessed as needing some help or care, you can use the service for almost any reason. People aged 40–64 can also use it, but only if their condition is caused by certain age-related illnesses.

When you apply, someone from the city office comes to check your daily situation, like how well you can move or manage everyday tasks. After that, they decide a care level, and you can use services like home helpers, day care, renting care equipment, or even making changes to your home—like installing handrails or removing steps—to make it safer and easier to live in.

It’s meant to support both the person who needs care and their family, which I think is really helpful.