August 30, 2018 (Thursday)

I woke up very early at 4:30 am JST. This is the view outside my window. ✨It is somewhat bright at this hour. 

It has been days since I am back to my normal weight. 👧This is really a good sign. I will be waiting for the drawing of the blood sample for the routine laboratory test at around 6:00 am JST. I need to hold my hunger. I am very hungry right now.😁💦

 

I received this senbei, and I am going to eat this with a slice of Baumkuchen and hot chai tea. 😋Recently I am drinking hot chai tea in the morning. 🌄Chai tea is from ginger, cinnamon, pepper, and other Indian spices, my mother told me to drink this because it is good for the digestive system and it also has other health benefits.  💪After breakfast #1, I called my family while I am in my room. Though lonely, this is one of the perks of being alone in a 4 person room, I can move freely. 😀

The breakfast for today is 100g rice, scrambled egg, nori, broccoli salad, apple juice, and tea. It has been a while since I ate the scrambled egg, but it didn’t have ketchup. I ate it all!😋

Starting today, my dosage of steroids, Predonine, will be decreased, from a total of 30mg per day down to 25mg per day. I will be taking it at 12.5mg (3 tablets) per dose. 🙆 Good sign! And also since the IV for Cytomegalovirus is gone, it will be replaced by an oral medicine. So my new dosage is 12.5mg of Predonine, 3 capsules of Cellcept, anti-osteoporosis, 2 kinds of blood pressure medicines, medicine for uric acid, intestinal medicine, anti-edema, Plaquenil, and Cytomegalovirus medicine. I don’t know if this is a good sign or not.😐

Then Nagatsuji Sensei came in for his rounds. He explained again the new dosage. He also said that the Cytomegalovirus medicine is just temporary. But he had to hurry because he has an urgent patient. He said that he will be back in the afternoon and will make time. I said it is ok.😂

I acquired the permission to eat cake! 😼But of course, 1 piece only. 😭So I went to the family mart and bought my goods. I bought this pudding for the AM snack, and instead of cake, I bought this melon pan with whipped cream for PM snack.😊

The lunch for today is 100g rice, boiled squash, steamed chicken with cheese, cucumber salad, and 2 slices of oranges. I almost ate it all except for the cucumber salad. The chicken was delicious but too small, of course, protein intake is limited.😛

I am really surprised that Miyage san came in to visit me. 😻 Miyage san was once a patient and we had the same room for a night, but then we were transferred to different rooms the next day. But we ate meals together and got close to each other. It is also a coincidence, though a little apart, we are living and working in the same area. She brought me this panda memo pad. She can still remember that I like pandas. 😊Even though she came for her outpatient check-up, she is so sweet to remember me. I am so happy.😇

Then after Miyage san left, I watched a movie while eating melon pan with whipped cream for PM snack.💚✌

Nagatsuji Sensei came in for his afternoon rounds, I told him that my stomach is feeling good, I can’t feel pain, but I can feel it move. He is also happy about this! 💪Good sign! I just have muscle pain especially in my left leg and my both wrist too. Putting mint patches will help me ease the pain. He looks so tired because it was his outpatient consultation day. I am teasing him that he is so excited about his 1-week vacation starting next week. Oh well, he really made time this afternoon. 😉

The dinner is 100g rice, boiled sweet potatoes, white fish in radish sauce, Bok choy and egg salad, 3 slices of apples, and senbei. I took the apples and senbei for later. 😋Then I took my medicine; 12.5mg of Predonine, 3 capsules of Prograf and 3 capsules of Cellcept, Ririka, ferrous sulfate, and anti-cholesterol medicine.

I watched another movie again. But Ririka’s effect is strong, after the movie, even though it was still early, I slept already.😴

I gave thanks that I am feeling fine today and hoping that this will continue. Thank you for your love and prayers.🙇

Good night.🌛

August 29, 2018 (Wednesday)

Good morning! ⛅It is my 3^rd day to be back to my normal weight. 🙌Also, it seems lately I am having a good sleeping rhythm,🙆 I slept for 8 hours. Today is exactly the 3^rd month that I have been moved to this hospital. Time is so fast. That means I have spent my 3 months here in Japan already.💭

The breakfast is 100g rice, sautéed cabbage, nori, canned peaches, orange juice, and tea. I ate it all! Lately, my appetite is getting back to normal, good sign! 💪I took my daily medicines; 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Cellcept, anti-osteoporosis, 2 kinds of blood pressure medicines, medicine for uric acid, intestinal medicine, anti-edema, Plaquenil, and the additional pill for anti-infection.

I took my bath, as you can see my eyes are not that swollen like before. 👀But I am still attaching mint patches because my joints are aching.💦 It is a good thing that my supply of mint patches was not forgotten by Nagatsuji Sensei, and it was delivered yesterday, he is now giving me 3 packs unlike before 2 packs. Then he came in for his rounds but not have enough time because he has a patient for renal biopsy.😹

My nurse gave me the IV for Cytomegalovirus. I hope this will be the last because my arm is starting to hurt and the places near the IV spot is starting to have wounds.😷

I studied, then took a break and ate this. This is also from my Indian friend. This is a mango flavored jelly! It was delicious.😋

The lunch for today is 100g rice, mixed tofu and scrambled egg, Chinese cabbage soup, radish salad, and tea. I only ate the rice and mixed tofu and egg. 😐

The weather was fine so I went to the garden and had my walk.

When I came back I decided to continue studying. (recently I have the motivation to study). Then my nurse came in and told me that Sensei called in and said that my IV can be taken out! OMG!😹 I am so happy!😀😂 Then at that timing, Nagatsuji Sensei came. He said that the result of the test was 0 and they decided to take out the  IV,🙆 but I will be taking an oral medicine to replace the  IV.

The dinner for today is somehow weird. 😐When I touched the rice it was cold, and when I touched the salad it was hot. 😶 The caterer made a mistake in putting in my food. But they replaced the cold food with a new one. 😯I just microwave the rice and beef and mushroom. Then I had my medicines;  3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Prograf and 3 capsules of Cellcept, Ririka, ferrous sulfate, and starting today, a new anti-cholesterol medicine is added.  

It was a good thing that I haven’t changed in to my pajamas yet because it was around 7:45 JST that mama doctor, Kitabayashi Sensei, came in for her rounds. I said that I was feeling fine, a bit of muscle pain but doesn't need a painkiller. 😀She said that we need to decrease the number of medicines that I am taking before I get discharged. Then she stayed a while for a chat. Then Asai Sensei came in also and was surprised that I changed rooms. I showed them the Japanese idioms or yojijukugo四字熟語 homework given to me by Nagatsuji Sensei. They told me that what I did was correct. ✌They were amazed that we are also doing this kind of thing. Study Study Study! 💬

I watched a movie as I pass the time but I fell asleep at around 10:00 pm JST.😴 But my nurse woke me up at 11 pm JST to take sleeping pills #1 & #2. I hope I can sleep well. 💤

August 28, 2018 (Tuesday)

Good morning!🌅 Do I look refreshed? 👩I got the first good news of the day. It is the second day that my body weight is back to 54.3 kilos😆 and I have slept for 7 hours. Good sign! But, my blood pressure is still high, 141/106.

The breakfast for today is 100g rice, spinach soup, nori, banana, apple juice, and tea. I have no choice but to eat the spinach, but I just ate the leafy part.😑

I accidentally met Kadokawa Sensei on my way back to my room.😂 He still remembered the yakisoba pan. He asked if I was able to eat it, without hurting my stomach. I said yes, there was no problem.🙋

Today is a busy day for the nurses and doctors, the holidays here in Japan are over, and it seems that there are many patients that are admitted for surgery. My nurse was late to give me my medicine, I took it after my bath. 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Cellcept, anti-osteoporosis, 2 kinds of blood pressure medicines, medicine for uric acid, intestinal medicine, anti-edema, and Plaquenil. From today, Ririka for the morning will be gone! Good sign! ✌So by this, I will not be feeling drowsy anymore (?!).😉

Nagatsuji Sensei came in for his rounds. He said that Ririka will decrease, but from tonight, he will increase the medicine for anti-cholesterol. Then we are waiting for the result of Cytomegalovirus test tomorrow, to know if the IV for Cytomegalovirus can be stopped. He also said that starting on Thursday Predonine of 30mg will be down to 25mg.🙌 It will be taken as 12.5mg in the morning and 12.5mg night, still in 3 tablets per dose.😺 The time is so fast, and Nagatsuji Sensei said that he will be having his summer vacation next week! 😨he will be gone for a week! Well anyway, he deserves a very good rest.👼 I was wondering why Yamazaki Sensei was not coming, he is on summer vacation this week, Nagatsuji Sensei said.

My nurse gave me my IV for Cytomegalovirus. I asked the nurse if we can replace the tape of the IV, then I saw that there are wounds.😥 Lately, I am having troubles because I am prone to having wounds.😷

Then I had this for the snack. This is the jelly that my Indian friend gave me. Tomato and peaches combination is unexpectedly good. I was surprised.😋

The lunch today was very delicious. Meat and meat combination! 😋100g rice, steamed chicken, sweet and sour meatball, Bok choy salad, and tea. I almost ate it all except for the salad.

Then, I just stayed here in my room doing my blog and studying because it was about to rain.

Then I went for my 30-minute walk. When I was going to the elevator I saw Kadosawa Sensei again.😄 I said that I will be going to the family mart. He said if I will eat yakisoba pan again hahaha!😤 I said I will be eating ice cream,💗 and of course, that is with permission. But I saw this new product! I ate this milk matcha pudding instead! It was so delicious!😍

The dinner for tonight is 100g, white fish in mushroom sauce, steam Bok choy, potato salad, 5 cubes of mango, 2 pieces of biscuit, and tea. I ate the fish and rice, some of the potato salad, and mango. It made me full. Then took my medicines; 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Prograf and 3 capsules of Cellcept, Ririka, ferrous sulfate, and the new anti-cholesterol medicine😐.

I was waiting for Nagatsuji Sensei for his afternoon rounds, but he never came (?).😶 I was thinking that we wanted to decrease the number of medicine that I am taking but it was just like cancel and add that happened today. 😢 Anyway, at least there are improvements.✌

Then I watched a movie for the night, then prayed after it.🙇

I can sleep early, I took my sleeping pills #1 & #2 at 10:18 pm JST. Hoping that I can sleep until morning!😴

Good night for now.

August 27, 2018 (Monday)

A very good morning!! ☀There is a good news! My weight is down to my original weight! 54 kilos. 🙆😸Yehey! So this means that there is no edema. I woke up early for the regular blood and urine test.

Since it is still early, after the drawing of samples, I decided to have breakfast #1 while talking to my parents😋. I had matcha milk and coconuts and butter biscuit. It is said that matcha is good for the intestine and digestion. So does matcha with milk count too? 💬I really like matcha milk. I stayed at the canteen until the true breakfast was served. The breakfast is 100g rice, mixed vegetables in tomato sauce, nori, grapes, and orange juice. I took the grapes and orange juice for later. Then I took my usual medicines: 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Cellcept, anti-osteoporosis, 2 kinds of blood pressure medicines, medicine for uric acid, intestinal medicine, anti-edema, Ririka, Plaquenil, and the additional pill for anti-infection.

I was surprised that papa doctor, Konishi Sensei, came in early. As early, it was not even 9:00 am JST. Maybe it is Monday, and the doctors will have a meeting at 9:00 am JST. Monday is very busy! 

So after my bath, as I waited for the rounds of the nurses and doctors, I studied. Mama doctor, Kitabayashi Sensei, came in, she was happy that I not feeling pain anymore and that my weight is back to normal😇. Her back hurt, so I tried to use the panda massager that I bought online, she said that it works. Ahaha!😌 Then Nagatsuji Sensei came in, he handed me the result of the blood test. I noticed that his way of speaking is different from the usual, his voice was low and it seems like he has a cold, and😏 I asked him if he is ok, he said he was fine. And then, I asked him if he is nervous in front of his superior😼, then mama doctor laughed. As he explained the blood test result, everything was the same as last time except that the hemoglobin level increased!🙋 Good sign! It increased but still not enough for the basic requirement, therefore, I might get the painful shot again for it😣, but he is still considering. But my cholesterol level increased, but not that so dangerous. He explained that it may be a side effect of the steroids and other medicines, so he is thinking of adding anti cholesterol. So this means that I am getting better day by day! Thank God, and thank you for your prayers.🙇

My nurse came in to give me my IV for Cytomegalovirus. So this IV will take 2 hours as usual, in time for lunch. The lunch is one of my favorite, soy sauce, and butter flavored white fish!😋 Then 100g rice, sautéed Bok Choy, sweet potatoes and tuna salad, and tea. It was very delicious.  

Then I went into the garden to have my regular walks. And I decided to bring my laptop so I can update my blog, but I was not able to do anything because I got pissed off. There are rude Japanese especially the old ones. It is forbidden to smoke a cigarette in the garden and there are signs all over the place, but this outpatient lady in a wheelchair, smoked cigarette, and all the smoke are going to me😷, she didn’t even care.😤 I said it is forbidden to smoke. She stopped smoking. But after she ate, she smoked a cigarette again. I was so angry that I just walked away to avoid conflict. I don’t want to fight with that kind of people. So I went inside until she finished. Then when she entered the building again, she was so sarcastic to say that I can go back to the garden again! OMG! 💢I got provoked and told her that it is forbidden to smoke there but she still did. And then she said something that you can return there to your spot, (in a very provocative way) I think my voice raised and said that she was wrong💥. I think the people look at me because my voice was loud. OMG! I really hate that kind of people. My head hurt and my nose too.💦

When I came back, papa doctor saw me as I gargle, and he thought I was vomiting. I said no and I told him what happened. He said that he too is angry.

Then Nagatsuji Sensei came in again to give me the result of the 24-hour urine protein test. The numbers went up. He said it is because I started eating, and I eat a lot he said 👤. So cruel! Then I asked him if I can eat ice cream mochi, he was thinking hard, but eventually said yes!💖 But no overeating he said (so strict)😯. I also asked him up to when will I take Ririka, he said he will consult with the family first, but he was worried that I will be in pain, but I said that it just makes me sleepy. He also said that I should take the nutrition support😶, wherein a nutritionist will tell me what are the healthy foods and also because the seasonings here in Japan and Philippines are not the same😸, I have to take this course. So we agreed to take it if my discharge date is decided (and I hope it will be near😇).

The dinner for tonight is 100g rice, chicken karaage😋, boiled winter melon, broccoli salad, energy jelly drink, 3 slices of apple, and tea. I ate the karaage and rice only. Saved the apple and jelly drink for later. Then I had my medicine; 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Prograf and 3 capsules of Cellcept, Ririka, and ferrous sulfate.  The antibiotic for UTI was stopped from today. Good sign!🙌

Mama doctor came in late as 7:00 pm JST. She checked me and we chatted a little. I said she always works so hard up to late hours, she needs to rest.👼

Then I watched a movie online to pass the time, I watched Oceans8😆. It was a good movie. After the movie, I surfed online that I didn’t know that I fell asleep💤. My nurse woke me up at 11:00 pm JST for my sleeping pills. Then I prayed.

Good night, for now, I feel really sleepy.💤

August 26, 2018 (Sunday)

Good morning it is Sunday! 🌄I woke up late, I didn’t make it for the Live via SNS at 6:00 am PST mass at Quiapo Church. So I have to wait for the next mass. 🙏Luckily my nurse made early rounds so there will be no interruption later. I chatted with my parents, they said that they will attend the mass at 6:15 am PST.

The breakfast for today is 100g rice, sautéed green beans with minced pork, nori, canned peaches, apple juice, and tea. I didn’t like the vegetables (i feel like my stomach will not be able to digest it for now😶) so I used my 1 day pass for the furikake.😼 Same medicines: 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Cellcept, anti-osteoporosis, 2 kinds of blood pressure medicines, medicine for uric acid, intestinal medicine, anti-edema, Ririka, and Plaquenil. I was thinking up to when will I use Ririka, maybe if I will not use it, I will feel pain but, up to now, it is bearable.💭

After my bath, I tossed in my laundry, I was lucky that nobody was using it. I studied bookkeeping as I wait. It finished around lunchtime. So I have to be late for lunch. The lunch for today though simple was also delicious. 100g rice, tamagoyaki, boiled potatoes and carrots, Chinese cabbage salad, and tea. I ate the tamagoyaki, and some potatoes. Then I went back to my room to fold my laundry. I didn't feel pain after my meal so I feel good!

I went into the garden, and then I found this yellow pen! The ink is also yellow! 😕 Lucky?! I talked to my parents and passed time there. I also walked and exercised💪. I sweated, it was a good feeling!😏 

The dinner for tonight is 100g rice, miso flavored salmon, stir-fried vegetables, cucumber salad, biscuit, melon (my favorite! 😋), and tea. I ate the fish and the rice. My nurse gave me my medicine; 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Prograf and 3 capsules of Cellcept, Ririka,  ferrous sulfate and the antibiotic for UTI. Then I ate the melon. Wow! The melon was so sweet. Come to think of it, this is the last time that I will take the antibiotic for UTI. Thanks to it, UTI didn’t go worse.🙆

After thanking God that all went well and my condition was good this day🙇, I took sleeping pill #1 & #2 at around 11:48 pm JST. 

Do I look like a patient now that I am wearing pajamas?👼 Have a good night sleep.💤

August 25, 2018 (Saturday)

Good morning! Thank God that I was able to sleep again after I went to the toilet at 1:00 am JST. 😩I woke up at about 6:00 am JST. There is good news! 🙆My weight is down to 55.6 kilos, 1 kilo left so that I am back to my normal weight. I still have high blood pressure, 141/109.

These are the flowers I received from my Indian friend. It bloomed compared to yesterday, and it became more beautiful.💝 My nurse told me that there is a hospital rule that the flowers should be wrapped in a clear plastic (luckily I still have the plastic) because other people might be allergic to pollen (that is very common in Japan)😷. Again, this is the wonderful culture of Japanese, minding others.👐

 The breakfast for today is delicious😋 and I don’t have to use furikake; 100g rice, cauliflower soup, egg and tomato omelet, nori, and orange juice. I ate it all and saved the orange juice.  Then the dessert; 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Cellcept, anti-osteoporosis, 2 kinds of blood pressure medicines, medicine for uric acid, intestinal medicine, anti-edema, Ririka, and Plaquenil.

Nagatsuji Sensei came in for his rounds. I was happy to announce to him that my weight reduced,✌ but he was the first one to say my weight 😤! He said he knows everything about me and that I have no privacy anymore 👦 and, I said yes you know up to my underwear. 😭

I told him about my falling hair, that it is worse than last week. And I am not liking it because everywhere, it is like a mark that “Lacey was here!”🙉, and of course, I have to clean up for the next user so it is very tiring. He said that I don’t have to clean  up because it was not my fault, it is just because I am sick. Aawww so sweet💕. I asked him if I can eat mochi (glutinous rice with red bean paste), and he thought hard😰, and said “let’s have that next week, so that even your stomach hurt, I am here” (Doc, bakit ka ganyan?! ?!, aw na talaga😻). As suspected he forgot to order my mint patches, his reaction was so cute 😁 He remembered that he said yes but he forgot because we had a long talk and in the afternoon I haven’t told him that I haven’t received it because we were busy with my friend. Then he even gave me homework for the weekend; He gave 2 phrases of Japanese idioms or yojijukugo四字熟語.💪

Mama doctor, Kitabayashi Sensei also made her rounds. She was happy to see me well. She saw the yojijukugo四字熟語 homework, and she said I should work hard to figure it out.✌  Then my nurse made her rounds and gave my IV for Cytomegalovirus.

Then my nurse told me that I have a package and I have to get it in the 1^st floor.👮 I have received this package from my claimed godmother who is living in Tokyo. She is a high school and a good friend of my father. She sent me pajamas, and other stuffs. Thank you ninang! 👩I’m so happy!😘

The lunch for today is 100g rice, sweet mabo tofu, sautéed rice noodles, macaroni salad, 5 pieces of big grapes, and tea. I didn’t like the taste of the tofu so I just ate the rice with furikake.😉 I saved the grapes for later. After lunch I suddenly felt bloated😷, I don’t know why I thought everything is going well already! Why my stomach?! Why are you doing this to me?! So I rested.👤

Attempting to change the phase, I went to the garden and studied Japanese bookkeeping.💪

The dinner for today is 100g rice, boiled taro and vegetables, pan grilled salmon! (My favorite!😂), spinach salad, 3 slices of apple and strawberry cookies. I didn’t eat the vegetables. Then took 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Prograf and 3 capsules of Cellcept, Ririka,  ferrous sulfate and the antibiotic for UTI.

I was surprised people are reaching out for me. 💕I am so happy that they remembered me even though we were not so close before. You guys are blessing sent to me to make me stronger. 🙇Thank you God!

I took sleeping pill #1 & #2 at around 11:00 pm JST. So early! 😐

Good night, I hope we all have a good night rest.💭

August 24, 2018 (Friday)

I woke up feeling refreshed after sleeping for 6 hours, even though I have high blood pressure, 156/110. I think I don’t have that swollen face like yesterday. 👏

The breakfast for today is 100g rice, sautéed shrimp and cabbage, nori, banana, apple juice and tea. I don’t feel like eating vegetables yet, 💦so I only ate the shrimp then I put on some salmon flakes (furikake) on the rice. I will have the banana and apple juice for later.  I had the permission of my doctor to put on furikake. 🙆But he said I should only use that once a day because we are controlling the salt intake.😿 Then I took my medicines; 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Cellcept, anti-osteoporosis, 2 kinds of blood pressure medicines, medicine for uric acid, intestinal medicine, anti-edema, Ririka, Plaquenil, and the additional pill for anti-infection.

Before I took a bath, I had my IV taken out. Yes! I can enjoy my hot bath freely, without the gloves. 😊 But the IV was placed at my left hand this time. Then I had my IV for Cytomegalovirus, this will take 2 hours so it will just be in time to finish by lunch. Nagatsuji Sensei made his rounds. He saw me putting mint patches again, so he knows what that means, 😹but he was happy that my stomach is feeling better. I said to him, I can feel the movements in my intestines; it would probably hurt if not for the painkiller that he is giving me. We are both happy that it I am getting well day by day.👍 He also said that I still weigh 56.4 kilos so; I should balance my fluid intake up to 1,000ml only today.

The lunch for today is; 100g rice, sweet and sour fish, broccoli soup, green beans salad, and tea. I ate the rice and fish and some of the broccoli.

I went into the garden to have a walk, to study, and talk to my family.💕 Then at around 4:30 pm JST, my very good Indian friend from work, called and said she will visit me. 😊I am so glad to hear the news.

She arrived early. 😆Then she was able to meet my doctors. Nagatsuji Sensei, he was kind enough to have his time to chat with us. Then I and my friend bullied him because he is always saying that he hates English. But when we asked him in English, he quickly answers in Japanese.😁 Then he saw the 2 cakes and 2 jellies that my friend brought for me. He was in thoughts for a while,😱 then he said that I can eat it, but not all at one time, one piece a day only. 😥And mama doctor, Kitabayashi sensei, came in, then we chatted a little.😊 Since there are 4 sweets, I said that we should eat the sweets together. 😋Nagatsuji Sensei said to Kitabayashi Sensei that I was looking healthy and happy so nothing to worry about.

I was lucky that my friend stayed with me even though it was my dinner time and I am eating pork tonkatsu in front of her even though she is a pure vegetarian. 😶I bet she is feeling something not good seeing me eating. I took my medicines: 3 tablets of Predonine, 3 capsules of Prograf and 3 capsules of Cellcept, Ririka,  ferrous sulfate and the antibiotic for UTI. She was so surprised at the volume of it. Then we ate the cakes. 😋We shared half of each flavor so we can taste both. Nagatsuji Sensei, sorry but this still counts as one piece, but 2 flavors.😹

After my dinner, I and my friend went to the café to buy her sandwich and then went to the family mart, she even bought soba. So she will be having a sandwich and soba for dinner.😺 Then we chatted and made plans for what we are going to do after my discharge.👭 We chatted up to almost 10:00 pm JST. I was so happy that she came. My mind drifted for the time she was here.😻

I thank God for the blessings that I received for this day. I am very happy. 🙇💓

I took sleeping pill #1 & #2 at 11:38 pm JST.💤💤

Good night and rest well my friends.