Good morning 1006 & lunch diary 1004

 

by Yuki

by Mieko

We got some fresh chestnuts from our neighbor.

Today’s my missions are cooking them and washing the covers we changed yesterday.

Yuki’s mission? Watching Ohtani’s game on TV, then joining a jam session.

Good morning 1004

 

by Yuki

Yesterday felt like a long day. Our appointment with the doctor was at 11:30. Yuki had a blood test and an X-ray first, so he went to the hospital at 10. I went a little later, around 11. We finally saw the doctor at 2.

Yuki was able to start his second round of chemotherapy right after the first one last week. His white blood cell count was not too bad, though we are not sure how it will be next week, since chemotherapy lowers it. He came home around 6. I came home before 4, then went to the dentist.

Today he is feeling fine so goes  to play tennis.
I will change the covers and carpets from summer to autumn.

Addditionally, this morning we even had a small discussion—maybe more like a quarrel—about foods that boost immunity. His voice is still hoarse, but when he talks in his usual theoretical way, it sometimes irritates me. I know it shows he is doing well enough to argue.

Good morning 1003

 

by Yuki

Today we go to the hospital. Yuki may start the second round of chemotherapy right after the first, or the doctor may give him a rest this week.

Before seeing the doctor, he needs a blood test and an X-ray. While he is doing that, I will go to the station building to do 25 exercises with my AI program.

Yesterday I had lunch with a gym friend for the first time in four months. We used to meet outside once a month, but maybe that time has ended. Yesterday we had a good time, but both of us felt a little hesitant. Yuki’s condition has changed, and her situation also changed a little. Anyway, at the gym we are still good friends.

Good morning 1002

 

by Yuki

Yesterday our laughter yoga meeting was fun. There were three members. We shared what we had done, what made us cheerful, and what we were thankful for.
Two women, one in her late 70s and the other in her early 80s, had trimmed trees and weeded their gardens. Yuki and I have already given up on doing that ourselves. This month our gardener will come instead. Of course, their husbands gave them just a hand, but according to the women, it wasn’t much.

Good morning 1001

 

by Yuki

October has begun. Today I hold our laughter yoga meeting—for the first time  in three months. The hottest season is finally over. Recently I sometimes felt like stopping some of my activities, but now I want to continue them. So I decided to keep my usual activities as much as possible.

Unfortunately, it is raining this morning, so Yuki’s tennis is canceled. He changes his routine and goes to the clinic instead. On the way, he plans to stop by a department store, since it is the last day of the Hokkaido cuisine festival.

Good morning 0930

 

 by Yuki

Yesterday we went to the library, and we saw ginkgo nuts falling from the trees.
Some people were picking them up with thick gloves, because the orange outer layer can cause a rash.

When I was in high school, the ginkgo tree-lined road from the front gate to the back gate was famous. At the autumn school festival, we students sold dried ginkgo nuts. We picked them up with their outer layer still on, buried them in the ground, and waited until it rotted. Then we dug them up, washed them, and dried them.

It is a good memory.

Good morning 0929

 

 by Yuki

A new week has begun. The first mission is for me to visit the orthopedic doctor. The second is Yuki’s clinic visit to ease his side effects. The third, in the evening, is my dentist appointment.
If I still have energy in the afternoon, I’d like to visit a library a little farther away, since the nearby one is closed today.

Good morning 0928 & lunch diary 0927

by MIeko

I’ll be leaving in an hour to join today’s sutra-copying session.

Thankfully, we got lots of persimmons from Yuki’s tennis mate. I’ll take some to share with the members. In the afternoon, Yuki will go to tennis practice with a different group from Saturday’s. He’ll also bring some persimmons for his mates. So, hopefully, we’ll be able to eat all the persimmons without wasting any.

by Yuki

Good morning 0927

 

by Yuki

Yesterday he was able to have his third chemotherapy session, so the first course is now finished. Whether he can start the second course next week without a break will be decided by a blood test on Friday.
The good news is that his tumors are shrinking, but the bad news is that his white blood cell count is going down.
Still, on the surface he looks fine and only has a little coughing.

I went to see my dentist yesterday evening because my chipped front tooth seemed to be getting worse again. About a year ago I had a bad fall and badly damaged that tooth. The doctor said it didn’t need to be pulled out, but unfortunately the root canal treatment hasn’t improved it as much as we hoped.

Good morning 0926

 

by Yuki

Yesterday Yuki bought sake, sweets, bread, and broiled miso-marinated black cod at Costco. It was our first time buying fish there other than salmon. Of course, we grilled it for dinner.
There were five pieces, and they weren’t frozen. So we stopped by a friend’s house and offered to share some. They were happy to accept.

Good morning 0925

 

by Yuki

Today is our Costco day, which also means it’s my cognitive behavioral therapy day. While I see the doctor, Yuki goes shopping at Costco.
I visit the doctor once a month.
To be honest, we somehow managed to get through this past month.

Yuki’s illness and inheritance matters are still stressful. But the severe scorching summer, which was worse than we expected, brought us even more stress. Fortunately, it seems to be over now.

Yuki looks so happy to buy good-quality shochu (a kind of sake) at Costco Today.

Good morning 0924

by Yuki

Yesterday, a woman visited my home library. It was fun. At night, I joined a Zoom meeting with two other members, all of whom were family members of cancer patients. It was also fulfilling.
Yuki went to his band practice. For dinner, he ate tsukemen (a type of ramen with the soup and noodles served separately) outside. He said, “I carefully ate tsukemen without slurping.”

Good morning 0923

by Yuki

It’s Tuesday and a national holiday, so Yuki has no tennis and I have no gym.
Yesterday, the ban on eating noodles was lifted. The ENT doctor told Yuki he could eat carefully and little by little, but not to slurp—slurping noodles is such a Japanese way.
So, we celebrated his birthday with ramen.
As for me, I still feel heavy in my stomach this morning.

Good morning 0922

by Yuki

A new week has started. Today is our hospital day. We’ll visit ENT and radiology at the hospital, and then two clinics—one for me and one for Yuki. His radiation treatment is finished. His voice is still hoarse, but it’s getting better, and he aspirates less often now. If the ENT doctor approves, he might be able to eat noodles. To tell the truth, he has already started eating them little by little.

Today is also his birthday, so we might celebrate with lunch at a noodle shop.

Good morning 0921 & lunch diary 0920

 

by Yuki 

Yesterday Yuki threw away more than ten pieces of clothing—underwear and worn-out tennis shirts. So my mission to let go of ten things a week was easily accomplished. And can you guess where we went after that? Yes, we went to a men’s clothing shop.

by Mieko

Good morning 0920

 

by Yuki

Yesterday, Yuki was able to have his second chemotherapy session. Before that, we looked at his X-ray. The tumors hadn’t changed. In a good way, it means they stopped progressing. During the two weeks without treatment, they had been growing quickly.
We hope this treatment can continue and start to take effect.

Good morning0919

 

by Yuki

It feels cool today—in fact, a bit cold for me—so I’m wearing a long-sleeved shirt.
We’ll leave home in an hour to go to the hospital. Yuki is going to have his second round of chemotherapy. Before that, we’ll see his doctor. We’re hoping the first round of treatment is starting to work.

The topic is "driving"

 

by Yuki

Yesterday, I participated in an online meeting. The topics are... "Driving"

◆How do you feel about cars? What do you like and dislike about them?

Having our own car is very important in our daily life here in Tochigi. Without a car, it would be very difficult to manage daily activities. In fact, our whole society relies on cars and trucks—even in Tokyo. Without delivery trucks or garbage collection trucks and so on, daily life would not run smoothly. What I like about cars is their convenience.

But at the same time, they give off exhaust that causes global warming. These days, people talk a lot about electric cars, but honestly, I think it’s hard to imagine all cars becoming electric. In Japan, we always have the problem of not having enough electricity.

◆When did you get your first car? Can you describe it?

I had to get a car as soon as I moved to Tochigi in my twenties. My husband and I were both transferred here, though we worked for different companies. He came first, and after I explained the situation to my office, I was also transferred. Since I had already gotten my driver’s license when I was a university student, I was ready to start driving right away.

When we each bought our first cars, we didn’t have much money. My husband got a used car from one of his coworkers, who was a couple of years older and ready to buy a new one. I went to a nearby used-car shop and picked up a compact car. Maybe you don’t know this, but at that time cars used to have spike tires in winter.

◆When did you start driving?

I got my driver’s license as soon as I turned twenty, and I used to drive my friends’ cars sometimes.

◆What do you like to listen to when you are driving?

Nowadays, I like listening to the radio when I’m driving. I especially enjoy MIYA-raji, a local FM station where my freinds often appear.

◆Has your car ever broken down or had a flat tire? What did you do?

I’ve had a flat tire two or three times, but luckily my car could still make it to a gas station, so I never had to call JAF.

I also bumped my car into a utility pole once. Luckily, it made it home, and then I called my car dealer.

◆If you went on a road trip, where would you like to go?

I’d like to go to Hokkaido. When I was in my twenties, I drove around the southern part of Hokkaido. So if I went on a road trip now, I’d like to explore the northern part. Also, if I went by car from here, I would take a ferry from Niigata to Hokkaido. Or I might take the bullet train to Hokkaido and rent a car there.

Good morning 0917

 

 by Yuki

About an hour ago, I got a message from my friend saying, “I just arrived.” She and I perform together at KARAKU café once a month. Right now, she’s in Aizu for an on-location shoot for a TV drama that will air next spring. She actually has a role—not just as an extra, even though it’s only one scene. 

She left here at 4 a.m and drove there. We’re really looking forward to hearing her story about what happens in Aizu.

Good morning 0916

 

by Yuki

Yesterday finally I finished unpicking the kimono, and ironed it.. and I’m going to ask my friend to make something new out of it. 

I bought a posture correction chair online, which can be set on my gaming chair. It’s funny because gaming chairs are supposed to support your posture, aren’t they? But in my case, it doesn’t seem to be enough.

Anyway, today I’m going to have a 35-minute personal training session, while Yuki is seeing the doctors at the clinic.

Good morning 0915 & lunch diary 0913

 

by Mieko

by Yuki 

 It is a national holiday called Respect for the Aged Day. In Japan, people aged 65 and over are considered elderly. So both of us are qualify. But most of our neighbors are over 75, so they don’t really count us as part of their elderly group.

We have no plans. We might just take it easy and go to the library.

Good morning 0914

 

by Yuki and this fried rice was cooked by Ah- chan (our grand daughter)

Yesterday, a friend came over for the first time in a while. We ended up chatting as if no time had passed, even though it’s been about three years. She’s a little younger than me, but we’re both in our 60s.

I showed her two little gadgets I bought recently, and she seemed really interested—maybe she’ll get them too. One is a mini bottle blender, perfect for making a quick smoothie for just one person. The other is a microwave grill gadget that makes it easy to cook fish for the two of us.

I baked a butter cake in my home bakery for her. I’ve also started using the dried fruit I soaked in brandy—it gave the cake a really nice flavor.

Good morning 0913

 

It’s a cool morning today. I’m wearing a three-quarter sleeve shirt, while Yuki’s in a regular T-shirt.Yuki has started chemotherapy again. He’ll take it once a week as long as there aren’t any issues.

Funny thing is, this is the same medicine he first took. After that, he changed medicines three times. (Probably). Since then, he’s switched drugs three times. The sad part is that there aren’t any newer options left.

Anyway, his treatment is underway, and that’s a relief.

Good morning 0912

 

by Yuki

Finally, it’s Friday. We’re hoping Yuki will be able to start his chemotherapy today.

Yesterday morning, I went to the gym for the first time in three months. These days I usually go in the evenings, but not very often. Mostly I’ve been busy—either going with Yuki to the hospital or visiting my own clinic. Another reason is that I just haven’t felt like chatting with my gym friends. I don’t talk about Yuki’s situation with them, except for one friend. There’s also one woman who knows because we happened to meet at the hospital. Her husband had the same illness, but sadly, he passed away last year.

Sometimes I feel like I’m being a bit of a drama queen and get depressed. But yesterday, I was able to chat calmly with some of my gym friends.

Good morning 0911

 

Yesterday we had eel for lunch at a special price, since it was the restaurant’s third anniversary. Well, the discount was just 200 yen. But we’re kind of timid. Yuki chose  the 2,000 yen eel box (discounted from 2,200), while stingy Mieko chose the 1,400 yen eel box (discounted from 1,600).

We usually spend about 1,000 yen on lunch, so this was kind of a special treat before Yuki starts his chemotherapy. Eel is usually really expensive in Japan.

When we were inside the restaurant it was pouring rain, but luckily by the time we finished lunch, the sky had cleared. On the way home we stopped by a shrine and prayed for a calm life.

Good morning 0910

 

by Yuki

Yesterday, I played at KARAKU café. The place was full, even the regular customers came. Playing the piano is always fun, and I also enjoyed dressing up a little.

My partner, who read a short essay, will be on TV next spring! Just one scene, but it’s in a really popular NHK drama. We’re so excited about it.

Yuki also joined his band practice. He talked about jazz chords with the members and looked really satisfied.

For both of us, yesterday was a refreshing day.
This afternoon, I have some online meetings.
Yuki is planning to go to the radon hot springs & sauna, which is about an hour’s drive from here.

Good morning 0909

 

by Yuki

Yesterday, I had a bit of heatstroke, and an IV drip at a clinic nearby. The doctor asked me, “Did you do anything outside?” Of course, my answer was “no.” He’s my family doctor, so he knows my habits well.

To tell the truth, this was the second time. I think my heatstroke happens when the humidity is high.

I got well today. Today it is my performance day at KARAKU cafe. 

Yuki had a bad dream last night. He said, “I know it can’t be helped, but I feel anxious about starting treatment this week.” Sometimes he shows his worries.
He’ll need to go to the hospital once a week for a chemotherapy IV. In a way, seeing the doctor every week makes me feel relieved, since the doctor will always be checking on his condition. But at the same time, it’s a burden for Yuki. The trip takes a long time, and on IV days he might feel dull for the rest of the day.

Anyway he’s going to go band practice tonight.

Good morning 0908 and lunch diary 0906

 

by Yuki

 by Mieko

 A new week has started. It’s Yuki’s final day of radiation treatment. His chemotherapy will begin on Friday.

This Wednesday, a certain eel restaurant nearby will be offering lunch at a special price. I wonder if we’ll be able to go. It’s a weekday, but it will probably be crowded.

Good morning 0907

 

 by Yuki

Yesterday, I reviewed the canned foods we have stocked for disasters. Some of them were getting close to the expiration dates, so I separated them. We have started eating them little by little as side dishes, and we are happy that they add variety to our dining table.

Unfortunately, a few had already expired, so I had to discard them.

I also checked our gas canisters. The manufacturing date was written on the bottom. Do you know they can be stored usually? It says they should be used within seven years. 

As you know, I keep up my habit of discarding ten things once a week. This time, I let go of some old bottles of liqueur.

 I did it again this week.

Additionally, I bought a bag of dried fruits online. To use up a bottle which is left, I plan to soak the fruits in it.

Good morning 0906

 

Yesterday I finished my fifth personal training session. Starting next week, I’ll go once a week, and I plan to continue for at least three months.

Yesterday I also enjoyed drawing. It means ‘accept what happens and let go of feelings

It’s sunny today, and Yuki goes to play tennis. He hasn’t gone for a while. He doesn’t play as hard as before, but I’m sure he enjoys chatting with his tennis friends, even though his voice is still hoarse

Good morning 0905

 

by Yuki

It’s raining today. Yuki is having his fourth radiation treatment. Although he doesn’t seem to have any side effects, his hoarse voice and strained vocal cords don’t seem to be recovering. He ate grilled beef yesterday, cutting it with scissors. He can’t eat noodles now, but at least he can still enjoy some of his favorite foods.

I’m going to a personal training session. At home, I also do some exercises for my back and hip joints. Once they get injured, it’s difficult to recover.

Anyway, it’s the last weekday. A typhoon is on its way and should pass by Saturday morning.

Good morning 0904

 Yesterday I could join an English conversation meeting on Zoom.

The topics are... "Insects"

◆Which insects help people and how?

The first insect that came to mind was the honeybee. They carry pollen from flower to flower. Thanks to them, fruits, vegetables, and other crops can grow.

When I came here, I met some beekeepers. Before that, I didn’t even know beekeeping was an occupation. Beekeepers sell their bees, especially to strawberry farmers. As you know, this area is famous for strawberries.

◆Have you ever been stung by a bee or a wasp?

Luckily, I haven’t. But in the garden, I sometimes find beehives. As soon as I find them while they’re still small, I remove them.

Nowadays, when kids are bitten by mosquitoes, the bites often swell badly, and some kids even have to see a doctor. The places where they are bitten are usually covered with a bandage. I think people, especially kids with allergies or atopic conditions, tend to swell up more easily.

◆What would happen if there were no insects in the world?

If there were no insects, our Earth would disappear, because without them we couldn’t maintain the ecosystem.

On the other hand, one specific issue we have to face is how to stop the decrease in domestic insects and the increase in foreign insects. Global warming is also one of the causes of this issue.
This is a serious problem for maintaining and improving our agriculture.

What do you think of this topic?

by Yuki

Good morning 0903

 

 by Yuki

Yesterday I was really surprised. Lemmon tree leaves in a big pot in our sunroom were shrunk.  I forgot watering only yesterday. I hope the tree won’t die.

Yuki’s treatment has started. We were relieved. However I am exhausted. It’s funny.

I know this phrase; “ how do you know it is a bad thing. That’s just the way it is.”

However, it is difficult to reach the state.

I will join in English conversation meeting on Zoom, if I can come back in time.

Good morning 0902

 

by Yuki

From today Yuki’s radiation treatment has started.

We hope his hoarse voice, and his voice cords muscle will be recovered.

While he is taking radiation treatment, I am going to take 30 minute personal training at the gym.

Today it seems to be a scorching day, too. The weather for these two years completely is different from before.

 

However luckily our shiso leaves in the garden is fine. They grow thick. So we make easily healthy smoothie, with homemade yogurt, banana, and shiso leaves. 

Good morning 0901

 

by Yuki

September has started. On the calendar autumn has also started. However it is still hot. 

In one and a half hour we will leave home for the hospital. 

We see an ENT doctor, then radiologist to plan his radiation treatment. After that we go to a clinic to get  shot to reduce his side effect as usual. Probably we will have lunch outside or buy lunchboxes.

In the evening I go to an orthopedic doctor. Probably we will buy lunchboxes. 

I give up cooking at home.  But I constantly make vegetable smoothies for Yuki and me. So I co stately use a knife and a cutting board .

I use shiso leaves growing I our garden effectively.

lunch diary 0830

 

by Mieko

I make lunch diary &haiku video in two version. One is Japanese, and the other is Enlish.

I make haiku in Japanese, then I translate them in Engish. It is really difficult. I am not able to  use rhyming, syllables effectively and so on.  I tend to translate my Haiku directly in English.

This time I used Chat GPT. it really helped me.  Even for Chat GPT it seems to be difficult to use rhyming effectively, but the sound closes to English Haiku.

If you are interested in Haiku, please check my youtube.

by Yuki

Good morning 0830

 

Progress report

Yuki’s hoarse voice and aspiration by voice cords muscle deterioration are cause by a new tumor. He receives radiation therapy from nest week. Probably he receives it five times in a row. 

Then in two weeks he will receive another chemotherapy. 

Anyway he still can take some treatments. 

Tomorrow he is going to participate in a concert with his band mates.

This time all members, our elder daughter, and younger daughter’s family (including our son in-law) will come see it.

Good morning 0828

 

Tomorrow, we have to go to see the doctor. I am really anxious. Yuki seems to act as usual. Today it is cooler than yesterday. According to the wearer report it is around 33 degree Celsius. Heat stroke alert is not going to be issued. So he will go playing tennis in the morning.

His weight got back easily normal.

His problems are bad hoarse voice, aspiration, and coughing.

Yesterday he went to a Radon mist hot spring. He suddenly started coughing.  Th other customers seemed to be worried, he said “I’m asthmatic“.

He acts what he can to on the day.

On the other hand, while I am facing to my anxiety, I spend at home lazily. Do I go to the gym?probably no. 

Additionally the first three time free personal trading were finished. Next week I will go there once a week when Yuki goes to his clinic.

Good morning 0827

 

  by Yuki

Yesterday I took a personal training, and I went back home without shopping.

I cooked my lunch at home. 

Today it is the third time to take it. It is free the first three times. The training is mainly stretching. Additionally yesterday in the afternoon I also go to the gym to do one circuit  machine exercise(15 minutes). 

Usually we do two circuit machine exercise, then do 15 minute stretching  seeing the video.

Next week, I am going to see an orthopedic doctor. So I ask him to do exercise and yoga like before.

I know walking exercise is all right, but it is too hot for me to walk even in the evening. And I don’t like walking exercise.

Good morning 0826

 

Today, Yuki has a PET CT test. The according his plan he eats sushi at a Kaiten-sushi ( a conveyer belt sushi restaurant). He believes sushi is all right not to swallow accidentally.

Then he is going to participate in his land practice tonight. 

On the other hand I take personal exercise at a gym in the morning. What do I eat for lunch? Do I drop by a cafe? Probably l will buy a lunch box. 

On the surface our lives are the same as usual．

lunch diary 0823 and good morning 0825

 

by Mieko

 by Yuki

A new week has started. I decided to take a personal physical training five times. Mainly to strengthen my back bone. It takes 30 minutes. Yuki  drops me off in front of the gym on his way to the clinic. So probably I constantly taking the training.

My friend introduced this site . Thanks. These days I started som yoga poses , and exercises by myself. Finally  my orthopedic doctor allowed me to do such light exercises, including going to the gym.

Good morning 0823

 

 by Yuki

Yesterday it was a long day. His pneumonia as a side-effect and aspiration pneumonia are getting better. The amount of steroid is decreasing,  but he can’t get a treatment yet.we go to the hospital next Friday again. 

Unfortunately without cancer treatment, his tumor is growing, and ways of the treatment are decreasing.

He also took his vocal cords test. His muscles seem to be difficult to tighten his vocal cords. It means aspiration is easily caused. He needs to be careful of his pose when he eats, and what he eats. Unfortunately noodles are difficult for hem to eat. 

The reason of his hoarse voice was not cleared. 

Next week, he gets Pet CT test.

Well, though it is a strange excuse, I am not good at English. So when I write his blog in English, I choose what I am able to write in English. Te most difficult thing is to write about our emotion.

I am able to write the situation calmly. 

If I used Chat GPT, I could write this blog more correctly and deeper. 

Today I am going to take personal training check. For the first time it is free. I might take personal training  for a several times to reduce the stiffness? of my hip joints though it is expensive.   .

Good morning 0821

 

Today I am going to take CBT. Tomorrow we go seeing the doctor at the hospital. 

I am full of anxiety, so I am really happy o take CBT to relieve  my stress as much as possible. 

While I take CBT, Yuki is at Costco. 

I hope his symptoms like  cough, hoarse voice, and  aspiration will be improved. Such symptoms exhaust his physical strength and decrease his QOR (not eating noodle, and spicy food, and anyway talking).

Good morning 0820

 

Though it is past the middle August, it is still hot.

Today I will go to a personal gym and talk about my back and hip bones. 

The personal gym is connected with the gym I usually go. 

In the morning we go to a clinic to reduce Yuki’s side effects. On the way home we go the personal gym and of course have lunch outside.

And probably we will buy some delicatessen for our “supper”.

A high school student will come to take my piano lesson in the evening.

We have returned our usual days.

Good morning 0819

 

Last night suddenly my tooth filling came out. I should go to the dentist today. It might be a long day because I go there without an appointment. 

At our familiar Japanese pear orchard, they have started selling their pears.  The orchard is run by a couple who are the same generation as us. They decided to reduce the scale of their orchard.

On the other hand, our government said “we will change course toward more rice production.

 Everybody seems to appreciate this decision, but how many farmers  or farm companies are there who will be able to do it? 

Good morning 0818

 

A usual week has started, though kids are still in summer vacation. This Friday I am going to hand over my English picture books. I’ve already packed them in five cardboard boxes.  I will pack them more. I keep some books in my house. Most of them are really easy ones. There are two or three sentences in each page.  The others are my favorite ones. 

Organizing my house is my hobby, isn’t it.?

Good morning 0817 & lunch diary 0816

 

 by Yuki

This photo is noodle, isn’t it. Last week he could eat noodle, though he choked a little. 

Now he chokes easily. So the doctor said ‘not to eat noodle’. Anyway in a week he has to go to the hospital..

He seemed to enjoy  the jam session. 

I also enjoyed  talking with my young friend.

It is drizzling now. He wants to go seeing his tennis mates. It depends on the weather.

Me? Do I read books which I borrowed from the library?

by Mieko

Good morning 0816

 

by Yuki

For many people this weekend is the last two days of Obon vacation.

Yuki participate in a jam session in the afternoon.  My young friend comes here in the afternoon.

Yesterday we talked to Yuki’s main doctor. 

We thought his hoarse voice is a side effect caused by taking steroid. Unfortunately it was wrong. His disease is progressing.  In one week the amount of steroid is decreased step by step. Then next Friday we will talk to the donor about his next treatment plan.  The medicine for aspiration pneumonia was also prescribed. And unfortunately he shouldn’t eat noodle.  

He doesn’t like my saying “are you all right?” Because he seems to be tired of it.

On the other hand I like some wane saying “are you all right” to me.  Usually I am asked “is your husband all tight?”

But if someone  said “are  you all right?”, I would say “no problem”. 

It is really difficult to accept diseases.

Good morning 0813

 

by Yuki

Unfortunately I canceled the performance at KARAKU.

Probably it was the second time. The first one was I had to visit my mother inTokyo suddenly because of her illness.

So it was the first time for me to cancel ly because of my dizziness.

Instead of going to KARAKU I was being given IV at a clinic. Fortunately Yuki dropped and pick me up. If I were alone—- .???

I will stay lazily today. 

Tomorrow my daughters might come here. 

The day after tomorrow it is the day for Yuki go to the hospital. I and going to go with him and listen to the doctor. We hope he will resume chemotherapy, though he has still pneumonia, and very hoarse voice because of steroids side effects.

Good morning 0812

 

Yesterday I suddenly fell ill in the afternoon, though in the morning I felt dizzy. From the afternoon I was lying down the rest of the day.  What happened to me? It seemed a kind of heat stroke, though it was not so hot but very humid. 

My condition is uneven, and Yuki’s side effect also comes in waves. 

Well, anyway today, it is the day of KARAKU. I hope I will be able to go there. Yuki is going to participate in his band practice tonight. 

Good morning 0811 & lunch diary 0809

 

by Yuki

by Mieko

Many people go back their hometown during this Obon vacation or go on a trip. However we unfortunately it is not a good weather. In some area they are having heavy rain called “linear precipitation zone.” Last night on their way home they were caught by it, they couldn’t go forward. Some trains include ing bullet trains couldn’t run, the trains changed into the hotels for the passengers.

In this area, it is raining but not so heavily. Today we have to a nearby laundromat to dry our clothes.

Good morning 0810

 

by Yuki

Yesterday a firework festival was held in our town. Luckily we could watch some fireworks from the window from Yuki’s room. He took some pictures and updated his YouTube with his music.

Thankfully a viewer gave me the answers to my questions about an English picture book. Yesterday I read it up. I also organized some books about Mother goose. I used to hold a workshop about Mother goose sometimes,  winky with songs. I thought if I had read up this book, the workshop would have been more fulfilling, and fun. I try to introduce this book on a zoom meeting.

Good morning 0809

 

I have started  taking my kimono apart. Most of my kimonos were taken apart and made over into casual dresses by my friend. But I still keep some kimono, which are mainly formal kimono. 

But I decided to give them a makeover into dresses. 

Kimono of late my mother in-law were discarded mostly. Probably mine will follow the same path. My daughters can’t put on kimono by themselves. 

Additionally I am able to put on kimono, but if I need to put a formal one, I will go to a beauty saloon.

Good morning 0808

 

by Yuki

Many people will have long vacation from tomorrow. I hope the temperature won’t be  reach to 40 degree Celsius. 

I resumed easy yoga at home, it makes me comfortable, but I feel mu hip joint gets stuck. 

Yesterday I watched a Japanese  movie on Amazon prime. (We have registered only for an Amazon 

Rim member. ) I was looking forward to seeing it. I enjoyed watching a movie for the first time in a while.

I hope someone answers my questions about the picture book which  log I updated the day before yesterday.

The topic is "brain"

Yesterday I participated in an online English coversation meeting. There were four Japanese ladies.

After the meeting , I organized my thoughts.

◆Do you think that you have a healthy brain? Why or why not?

It’s an interesting question, isn’t it? what is the definision of "a healthy brain"? My brain is appropriate for my age. It means I often feel my age. The older we get, the easier we loose our memoryies.

◆Do you usually make decisions with your brain or with your heart?

It depends on the situation. At first I think my physical strength. It means I make my decisions mainly with my brain. When I was young I used to follow my intution and my feeling.

◆What animals do you think are highly intelligent?

Dolphins, monkeys, dogs, and so on. Sorry if you are a cat parson -- I don't add cats on my list. Additionally we used to have a cat.

◆If you could get a brain implant to make you smarter, would you do it?

I wouldn’t do it. Because if I were smarter than now, I would like to be much smarter. It’s endless.

However if we could get a brain implant to stop dementia, I might do it. I would keep myself.

◆What does your brain spend the most time thinking about?

Nowadays, my brain is full of "meals".  what should I cook for our lunch and dinner? It is a usual thing.

But it 's too hot to have enough appetite, So what do "I" want to eat?

And the other day I suffered from sever heat fatigue. At that time I was thinking what I could eat.

Probably my brain doesn’t work so hard, I do what I can do now.

 

◆How do you think sleep affects the brain?

Good and enough sleep is the most important to keep our health and a healthy brain.

When I can’t take enough sleep, I am out of it on the day.

by Yuki

questions -- a book from "Mary had a little jam and other silly rhymes

 I read this book little by little.

Q1

Mary, Mary, quite contrary

 what does your garden grow?

Spinich? Broccoli? Cauliflower?

 To which Mary ansserd, "No!"

What is the silly part?

Does the questioner ask her the least favorite vegetables?

Q2

Peter, Peter, sugar eater,

always wanted food much sweeter.

Adding sugar was a blonder.

Now he is a toothles wonder.

Why the boy Peter is a toothles wonder?

He ate sweets too much, so his all teeth were gone by cavity?

Or luckily all his baby teeth have gone naturally without cavity to chane into adult teeth?

by Yuki 

Good morning 0805

 

by Yuki

It is a calm morning, though it is already hot outside.

His pneumonia has got better. Additionally taking no chemotherapy seems to lessen his side effects ironically.

Anyway we should keep our daily life, and do what we can do now.

Yesterday finally I went to the gym and did one circuit exercise.

I got lots of cucumbers from our neighbor. So I made cucumber smoothie. The ingredients are thin sliced cumbers, yoghurt, and canned pineapples. It was tasty. I found a good way to use up lots of fresh cucumbers. Making pickles is of course one of the way to use them up.

Good morning 0804

 

by Yuki

A new week has started. It is the hospital day again. 

Little problems always happen, we should be composed and have guts.

On the surface, Yuki looks better. He participated in jazz session yesterday afternoon.

I drew up picture cards . I take them to our community center. The stuff send them to the elderly who lives alone.

Good morning 0803 and lunch diary 0802

 

by Yuki

Yesterday, I washed my cotton white blouse, and ironed. One of my house errands I don’t like is ironing. Usually I wear a T-shirt without ironing, this time I need to or I feel to wear cotton blouse. I like the blouse so I keep it for a long time to handle it carefully.  Ironing is too hot.

Anyway I did house errands. It was a good thing.

 by Mieko

Good morning 0802

 

by Yuki

It is Saturday. Fortunately Yuki didn’t need to be hospitalized, though he has to continue taking steroid medicine to heal pneumonia for two weeks. And unfortunately his chemotherapy is stopped. The chemotherapy this time he takes seems to work on the CT image. The docomo seems to think what caused his pneumonia. Did it come from summer cold?  If it is right it seems to be too long. Did it comes from radiation or ICI he took before? Or is it a side effect of this chemotherapy?

What we are afraid is having on treatments. But anyway it is impotent to heal his pneumonia.

According to the weather report it won’t be hot like yesterday. So he is going to “meet” his tennis mates. 

I will do discarding 10 things.

Good morning 0801

 

by Yuki

August has started.

We leave in one hour for the hospital. I hope he won’t need to be hospitalized by pneumonia and resume the chemotherapy .

Anyway while he takes blood check and X ray, I am going to stay at Starbucks. It is my luxurious time.

It must become a long day, today. Where and when do we (or I) have lunch? 

Good morning 0731

 

by Yuki

It is the last day of July, isn’t it? It was a long month. 

Though Yuki is coughing is getting better, tomorrow we have to go to the hospital.

Yesterday, he we went to a hot spring with full of radon gas where it takes about one hour by car.

He seemed to find another hobby? mission. This time didn’t go with him. Next time I  might go with him. I don’t like “hot” hot spring very much. 

I organized our family photo book in 2025. Sine I started annal photo book 11 years have passed. Why July?

Our grand daughter was born in July. To celebrate her birthday I started to make our family photo every year.  She grew up, so she doesn’t visit us so often. It might be the last photo album.

.

Good morning 0729

 

by Yuki

It was a long day yesterday. Fortunately he didn’t need to be hospitalized. Another medicine was prescribed. For a while he decided to stop playing tennis. But tonight he is going to participate in his band practice.

Today I go to an orthopedic clinic. I have still trouble of my hip joints, though they are getting better.

Yesterday we had lunch at a convenience store in the hospital when we were waiting. 

Today I would like to have something good outside. It is too hot for me to cook. Or I might buy something to eat at a supermarket on the way home from the clinic.

Good morning 0728

 

by Yuki

We decided to go to the hospital today, though we are going to go there this Friday. Yuki’s coughing is worse, and feels dull more. We are afraid of pneumonia. Last time he was hospitalized, he had pneumonia. 

These days I don’t write positive things on this blog. I lean on this blog to show the sign of my weakness.

Good morning 0727 & lunch diary 0726

 

by Yuki

by Mieko

It is Sunday. Though both of us are feeling summer fatigue, we are getting better. Yesterday I organized and cleaned the fridge.  Now the washing machine is washing our bed covers and so on.

For these 10 days I didn’t cook much. .So unfortunately I wasted some ingredients.

When Yuki feels dull, I am easily upset. (On the other hand it is a usual thing for me to feel dull.)

I want to remain composed.