Good mornong 0222

 

The Japanese plum trees are beginning to bloom at Syouun temple.

Today in the morning  I am going to go copying sutra at a nearby temple.

Good morning 0221

 

by Yuki

We have a three-day weekend.
My gym is closed, but Yuki’s gym is open. I wonder if he will go by himself.

It was a long day yesterday,  just as we had expected.
Unfortunately, he couldn’t receive chemotherapy because his white blood cell count had gotten worse.
The good thing is that the side effects probably won’t get worse, but we feel anxious that he couldn’t receive the treatment.

Anyway we are pig to spend this weekend calmly,

The topic is "Moving".

Yesterday, I joined an online meeting with all Japanese women, and I was the oldest one there.

The topic is "moving".

◆ How many times have you moved into a new house or apartment?

Including my childhood, I’ve probably moved more than ten times. I was born in Tokyo, but my father changed jobs frequently, so we moved often — within Tokyo as well as to Kanagawa and Shimane. His last workplace was in Tokyo.

Since getting married, we have moved about four times. While we were living in apartments, we moved three times, and eventually we bought a house and have been living here since then.

◆ What is the most difficult thing to move in your home? How much does it weigh?

The most difficult item to move is probably a rather unusual self-assembly table on the second floor. It was originally designed to be assembled and taken apart, but now it can no longer be disassembled. Another difficult item is a pair of paulownia chests of drawers, also on the second floor. I’m not sure how much either of them weighs.

◆ Would you be willing to move to a new country if you were offered a good job there?

At this point, my answer is no. I am thinking about moving to another prefecture — or rather, I might have to.

◆ When do you expect to move next in the future? Where do you think you will go?

That’s a very difficult question for me. By “the future,” I mean my later years — and in fact, that stage of life has already begun. Since none of our relatives, including our children, live in this prefecture, we are thinking about how and where we should live independently.

On the other hand, we are not tied down by any obligations, so we could move anywhere. The real question is whether we have the courage to start over somewhere completely new where we don’t know anyone.

◆ What are some of the difficulties of moving into a new house or apartment?

One difficulty is downsizing our belongings. Another is having the courage to move to a completely new place where we don’t know anyone.

◆ What kinds of things do you think about when you are looking for a new home?

I look for a home where the temperature is consistent throughout the house, where cleaning is easy, and where we can build good relationships with our neighbors.

Good morning 02018

 Yesterday we were busier than we expected. Yuki’s care manager came, and then we had to visit our lawyer. However, he is doing fine and trying his best.

In the evening, we went to the gym for 30 minutes. I didn’t really want to go, but my gym is across from his, so we went together, and I just sort of did a lazy 30-minute workout.

Additionally, we didn’t have time to go back home for lunch, so we had a nice lunch out. Well, that’s my excuse.

Good morning 0216

 

Our regular week has started. This week, we’re going to meet with an accountant about the inheritance matter. It is not something usual for us.
We’ll probably be able to go to the gym regularly again. Both of us want to maintain — or in my case improve — our physical strength.
We’ve had a lot of unusual things happening recently, so I hope this week will be calm and peaceful. Pollen season is hard for me, though — it may sound like my usual negative muttering.

Good morning 0215

 

by Yuki

It’s a warm Sunday. For me, that means pollen season has arrived.
We don’t have any special plans today — we’ll probably go to the home center.
I should declutter about ten things. But the bathroom renovation has lowered my motivation a bit.
I’m thinking of having only seven outfits for each season. But defining “each season” is difficult for me, because very cold winter, cold winter, and warm winter all feel different.
Anyway, today I will work on revising my closet.

Good morning 0214

 It’s Valentine’s Day, and for some reason our house is full of chocolate sweets.

Yesterday Yuki was able to receive chemotherapy. He is scheduled to have it again next Friday.

Today we are going to have acupuncture and moxibustion treatment. The practitioner is also a friend of mine. She kindly agreed to be flexible, and Yuki will receive only moxibustion for about 20 minutes. I think acupuncture would be better, but he is afraid of needles.

Actually, we have been doing moxibustion at home every night recently. This time, we want her to check whether we are using the correct pressure points, so he will get a short professional treatment and some advice.

Good morning 0213

 It was warm yesterday. We had a good visit to the shrine. Today is Yuki’s hospital day. It will be a long day, but let’s do our best. Well — it’s really Yuki who will do the hard work.

Good morning 0212

Today we are going to visit a shrine on a mountain with our elder daughter. It’s sunny and warmer than I expected.
After yesterday’s visit to the lawyer, it seems the inheritance matter has moved one step forward.

Until now, we used to go a bit far away to buy our favorite special soy sauce. We’ ve decided to give that up for now. If we go to the shop, we can buy it in a large bottle, but if we have it shipped, it comes in small bottles and costs extra for delivery. Still, I feel that might make me use it more carefully and appreciatively.

Good morning 0211

Though it’s a holiday, we’re busy today. In the morning, Yuki’s care manager will visit us to discuss the care services he may need from now on. In the afternoon, we’re going to see a lawyer. There are still some things we can’t quite decide on, so we’re going to talk them through. I hope it helps Yuki feel more at ease.
We’ll probably get takeout on the way home tonight. I’m glad the snow has completely melted.

Good morning 0210

Today is my performance day at KARAKU Café. I’m happy because I’m going out a little dressed up.
Yesterday we met with the radiation doctor and reviewed all the CT images. We were able to talk about the next steps, which was very helpful. We were also introduced to a psychologist and had a good talk.
He will receive two more rounds of chemotherapy over the next two weeks, then have another CT scan. After that, the future treatment plan will be decided. We are truly at a turning point.
Anyway, we’re grateful that we were able to speak with both specialists.

good morning and lunch diary 0208

 Snow has stopped, but it is a very cold morning. According to the weather report, the sun will appear at times today.

This morning, a staff member from City Hall will come for the long-term care certification interview. In the afternoon, we will go to the hospital and talk with the radiation doctor. After that, we”re  planning to go to a supermarket a little farther away to look at the prepared foods and then come back home.

I’m glad the snow has stopped. Still, the roads may be icy in places, so we need to be careful.

Good morning 0208

 It is snowing. 

We can’t believe how much snow has piled up — we wonder how many years it’s been since we’ve had this much. We’re really surprised. We’re so glad we didn’t throw away our snow boots when we were decluttering.

Good morning 0207

 Yesterday, Yuki was able to receive chemotherapy. While he was in the hospital, the doctor said the tumor had not improved very much, but unfortunately it has grown. Still, he could get the treatment, and we hope the chemotherapy will help stop it from growing.

To be honest, the situation is becoming more serious. Yuki even used the phrase “I’m on the edge of a cliff” for the first time. I have a headache now.

Even so, we also have a relaxed side. We are thinking about what to have for lunch today. It’s a cold day, and it looks like it may snow tomorrow,

Tomorrow is election day, but since the weather seems bad, I’m planning to go for early voting.

Yesterday, Yuki was able to receive chemotherapy. While he was in the hospital, the doctor said the tumor had not improved very much, but unfortunately it has grown. Still, he could get the treatment, and we hope the chemotherapy will help stop it from growing further.

To be honest, the situation is becoming more serious. Yuki even used the phrase “I’m on the edge of a cliff” for the first time. I have a headache now.

Even so, we also have a relaxed side. We are thinking about what to have for lunch today. It’s a cold day, and it looks like it may snow.

Tomorrow is election day, but since the weather seems bad, I’m planning to go for early voting.

Good morning 0206

 It’s Friday — Yuki’s hospital day. We’re not sure yet whether he will receive chemotherapy today, and if he does, the type of treatment might be changed. In any case, we have to leave the decision to the doctor. The treatment options covered by insurance are gradually becoming more limited.

Still, we’re both doing okay. Yesterday we each did a very light 30-minute workout at our own gyms.

Yuki’s Mac computer finally seems to be working again. The shop replaced the hard drive, but things didn’t go smoothly afterward. He managed to fix the remaining problems himself with the help of AI searches. AI really is amazing.

Now, the long day begins.

By Yuki

Good morning 0205

 All the renovations have finished. It turned out just as we expected, so we’re relieved. We’re going to the bank today to make the payment.

Meanwhile, Yuki’s Mac has come back from repair, but he’s still having trouble with it. He’s planning to go to the repair shop again today. I guess it’s kind of his hobby. Yuki’s staying busy, and I think that’s a good thing.

I’ll reopen my home library.

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