見出し画像

Toast to Life 30 (4N5D Admission, No. 1 - Loved Family Again)

As mentioned in the previous issue, I was admitted to Mita Hospital on April 20th and discharged on 24th (4N5D). After receiving PCR test on the 19th, I once returned home on the same day. The main operation for this time admission was to attach a CV port (sorry for the Japanese) at a MD from the Gastrointestinal Center for infusion to the tumors in my lung (colorectal cancer metastasis).

In advance, I consulted with Dr. Tabei of Neurosurgery about what to do with Optune on my head. He then said to me, "ah, it's not something you would care about." What? "Since the nurses at the Center have never seen any equipment for brain tumors, it's best for you to bring it in and take it home sneakily." He turned out to be right. I brought the equipment sneakily. Of course, I had asked Dr. Ayu Kato about it, my another attending MD in the Center, to which she gave permission.

The 20th was a rainy day, unfortunately. I packed a suitcase with casters, which was the maximum size for carry-on an aircraft (as had been told by a Novocure staff), with the power adapter, batteries, and cables extended from the Alleys. Then, boarded a taxi. It ended up myself carrying two small of cases, one of which was for minor goods for the four-night life in a hospital. 

I then threw a stuffed whale for my charm. It was made by my daughter (pictured above) during the Singapore days, and I brought it back to Japan to put at my room at the Narita Hospital in last July. About an hour earlier than my packing in the same morning, she was about to leave home for a high school, which she had passed this spring. But, upon my words "I wouldn't be back today", she turned around to me and gave a big hug at the front door (💕). Her mom, or my wife, has always been extremely generous and humble to my condition (therefore, I constantly keep my head down for respect). On top, our daughter, on her way out of puberty, is joining her mom's circle, resonating with our emotions, and starts to being worried about me. At the door, Daughter looked quite sad. With her like this, I may be hospitalized every month (just a liar).

On the 23rd, one day before my discharge, I inadvertently sent the whale photo, put on my laptop, to her via SNS, noting, "this kid watched over me all the way in the hospital." Her reply had so many "!"s, like "no, it's too great!!!", "you've got it ~", and "I'm happy (╹◡╹)".

Then, my discharge day came on the 24th. When I returned home by taxi because of the heavy luggages, my son, a 6th grader, welcomed me with a big smile, rather playful, shouting "welcome back!". He then also gave me a huge hug. I sensed he must have been happy too. I was, too. 

Last year's returning home from the Narita hospital didn't make me feel like I was home: I had been in the hospital for the previous two months and the house I came back was a new place. The rest of my family members were living there for the mere two months, filling the vacuum of my absence. Almost no place for me home. But it was different this time. I hope I continue this kind of life.

(To be continued.)