Diary of My Eye Disease Treatment
Day Fifteen
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
JENNIFER | SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 9:00PM JST
Hello my lovelies!
Today is a special day. The reason? I can’t put my finger on it yet. I woke up early and had my morning check up. My roommate unusually slept in longer than usual. She’s usually up by 5:00, but it was past 6:00 and she was snoozing or better yet snoring. I stayed in bed and began reading a bit. Before I knew it, I was brushing my teeth and heading to the eating area.
Breakfast
I chose a seat next to the window. I was the first one there and I thought that the sunlight would feel nice and warm on my skin. After about 10 minutes, it was beaming and I just allowed it. I like the sun and I don’t get much from in here so I benefitted from it. Takeshi, Maya, Kaori and I decided to sit together again and chat. We talked about the documentary Surviving Progress. I was explaining to them how Japan might be making progress, but things are different in other parts of the world. I also read Takeshi’s thoughts on the film, which were pretty insightful and interesting. I like knowing and discussing various opinions. This is what makes a conversation valuable. I like agreeing and disagreeing. It is part of accepting others for who they are and how they think. Kaori also shared some ideas and both her and Maya thought those where tough topics. I admit that those are definitely difficult to discuss at times. It was a fruitful morning and a good chat to add to that.
Hello my lovelies!
Today is a special day. The reason? I can’t put my finger on it yet. I woke up early and had my morning check up. My roommate unusually slept in longer than usual. She’s usually up by 5:00, but it was past 6:00 and she was snoozing or better yet snoring. I stayed in bed and began reading a bit. Before I knew it, I was brushing my teeth and heading to the eating area.
Breakfast
I chose a seat next to the window. I was the first one there and I thought that the sunlight would feel nice and warm on my skin. After about 10 minutes, it was beaming and I just allowed it. I like the sun and I don’t get much from in here so I benefitted from it. Takeshi, Maya, Kaori and I decided to sit together again and chat. We talked about the documentary Surviving Progress. I was explaining to them how Japan might be making progress, but things are different in other parts of the world. I also read Takeshi’s thoughts on the film, which were pretty insightful and interesting. I like knowing and discussing various opinions. This is what makes a conversation valuable. I like agreeing and disagreeing. It is part of accepting others for who they are and how they think. Kaori also shared some ideas and both her and Maya thought those where tough topics. I admit that those are definitely difficult to discuss at times. It was a fruitful morning and a good chat to add to that.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
What did we eat?
My Personal Thoughts
In Japan, there is lots of ecological and technological advancements unveiling. Yet, when we go to another part of the world, progress is either slow or moving in the opposite direction. I wish we could come together as one. If not all, at least a greater part of us could make a change in the world. To me, this is progress. Not just one country working for itself, but all countries working together for the betterment of the human race. This is one thing that many of us fail to see or we get so caught up in our own lives, businesses, etc. that we lose ourselves in something else and forget about becoming united.
Reading
Right after breakfast, I got my sticker. I kept reading Peter Jones’ novel. It gets more interesting by the minute. The main character seems to have such a sad and uneventful life. Yet, he tries to find ways to date women. I wonder how that compares to the reality of situations for some men. Do they have a terrible time dating and do they actually go beyond their ways just to find the ‘one?’ I read a couple of chapters then decided to start working on this article.
- Rice
- Burdock soup
- Green pepper and tofu salad
- Japanese egg dish
- Grape yogurt drink
My Personal Thoughts
In Japan, there is lots of ecological and technological advancements unveiling. Yet, when we go to another part of the world, progress is either slow or moving in the opposite direction. I wish we could come together as one. If not all, at least a greater part of us could make a change in the world. To me, this is progress. Not just one country working for itself, but all countries working together for the betterment of the human race. This is one thing that many of us fail to see or we get so caught up in our own lives, businesses, etc. that we lose ourselves in something else and forget about becoming united.
Reading
Right after breakfast, I got my sticker. I kept reading Peter Jones’ novel. It gets more interesting by the minute. The main character seems to have such a sad and uneventful life. Yet, he tries to find ways to date women. I wonder how that compares to the reality of situations for some men. Do they have a terrible time dating and do they actually go beyond their ways just to find the ‘one?’ I read a couple of chapters then decided to start working on this article.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Two New Roommates
Two women have been admitted into the room today. One lady is probably in her 70s and was given a bed next to the window. The other lady could be in her early to mid 40s. The latter one will be sleeping directly across from me. She came in with her boyfriend or husband. They almost immediately closed the curtain after arriving, he stepped away and she started rearranging the area. She was even standing on her bed. I don’t know for what. I could see her face and I just looked at her thinking, “What in the world are you doing?” She got down shortly afterwards. Well, now there are four of us in here.
The IV Injection
Today is the first day of the last part of my IV treatment. The nurse came in and examined my arm for about 5 minutes trying to find the best part of my vein to insert it in. I wanted to laugh because she kept looking at it and touching my vein. I usually get the IV on the lower part of my arm. This time she went much closer to my elbow. I asked her if I could bend my arm and she hesitantly agreed. I wished she put it on the lower end of my forearm, but I guess it would have been too difficult to get the vein. She told me that if the drops stopped moving that I should call them. So I have to look at the IV more often than not to make sure nothing goes wrong.
The Eye Injection
The doctor came in a little after 10:00 and gave me the injection. She was pretty careful in inserting the injection. I have wanted to ask if I could record the process. I think I will ask her that question in my follow-up session. I think it would be a great thing to do and show my readers. She injected the serum and promptly removed the needle. In no time, the pain kicked in. I felt as though I was getting a sinus infection, but that is just part of the painful process. I felt the burning and mallet sensation. Yet, it was all over in a short time.
What this experience has taught me
Well, I have been spending a lot of time:
However, have I thought about what I have learned here? It may take me no time or some time. I know there are parts of me that desire change. I will list some areas that I know I want to work on, but I won’t say that I know how fast my changes will transpire. In all, my main goal is to discipline myself in ways that I can follow just about any dream I set out to accomplish.
Changes
These are amongst a few. I want to begin here first before I have to move onto bigger changes.
*I forgot to ask the doctor about getting my injection recorded. I hope to remember tomorrow.
About my Bill
I ended up going downstairs to the second floor because I wanted to clarify what I would have to pay at the end of my stay here. They couldn’t help me, but the doctor who saw me today was able to speak with me. I wanted to know what my total would be when I had to check out. She said that I would not have to make any payments at the hospital. Instead, I would receive a bill in the mail and pay it with my bank account. I had no clue. I truly thought I had to make my payments right at checkout. That is a good thing. I hope that takes a while. That took a big weight off my shoulders. I still asked my aunt to help me out just in case something does not go as planned. She is very willing to help me. Thank goodness for family!
Two women have been admitted into the room today. One lady is probably in her 70s and was given a bed next to the window. The other lady could be in her early to mid 40s. The latter one will be sleeping directly across from me. She came in with her boyfriend or husband. They almost immediately closed the curtain after arriving, he stepped away and she started rearranging the area. She was even standing on her bed. I don’t know for what. I could see her face and I just looked at her thinking, “What in the world are you doing?” She got down shortly afterwards. Well, now there are four of us in here.
The IV Injection
Today is the first day of the last part of my IV treatment. The nurse came in and examined my arm for about 5 minutes trying to find the best part of my vein to insert it in. I wanted to laugh because she kept looking at it and touching my vein. I usually get the IV on the lower part of my arm. This time she went much closer to my elbow. I asked her if I could bend my arm and she hesitantly agreed. I wished she put it on the lower end of my forearm, but I guess it would have been too difficult to get the vein. She told me that if the drops stopped moving that I should call them. So I have to look at the IV more often than not to make sure nothing goes wrong.
The Eye Injection
The doctor came in a little after 10:00 and gave me the injection. She was pretty careful in inserting the injection. I have wanted to ask if I could record the process. I think I will ask her that question in my follow-up session. I think it would be a great thing to do and show my readers. She injected the serum and promptly removed the needle. In no time, the pain kicked in. I felt as though I was getting a sinus infection, but that is just part of the painful process. I felt the burning and mallet sensation. Yet, it was all over in a short time.
What this experience has taught me
Well, I have been spending a lot of time:
- Writing articles
- Creating a plan
- Reading
- Watching Movies
- And so on…
However, have I thought about what I have learned here? It may take me no time or some time. I know there are parts of me that desire change. I will list some areas that I know I want to work on, but I won’t say that I know how fast my changes will transpire. In all, my main goal is to discipline myself in ways that I can follow just about any dream I set out to accomplish.
Changes
- Find and keep attending a Japanese class (at least once a week)
- Meet new people, do fun activities and always learn from them
- Cook more, be healthy, and exercise on a daily
- Get involved in a cause
- Save more money & be more financially in control of my destiny
These are amongst a few. I want to begin here first before I have to move onto bigger changes.
*I forgot to ask the doctor about getting my injection recorded. I hope to remember tomorrow.
About my Bill
I ended up going downstairs to the second floor because I wanted to clarify what I would have to pay at the end of my stay here. They couldn’t help me, but the doctor who saw me today was able to speak with me. I wanted to know what my total would be when I had to check out. She said that I would not have to make any payments at the hospital. Instead, I would receive a bill in the mail and pay it with my bank account. I had no clue. I truly thought I had to make my payments right at checkout. That is a good thing. I hope that takes a while. That took a big weight off my shoulders. I still asked my aunt to help me out just in case something does not go as planned. She is very willing to help me. Thank goodness for family!
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Lunch Time!
I sat with Kaori and a friend of hers who just returned for the third part of her treatment. We spoke a bit and got acquainted. There were only three of us until Takeshi came. Takeshi joined in later on because he had to meet the doctor after lunch was served. Today, our meal was more filling. I had seafood curry rice. That was pretty good. We also had imitation crab salad with lettuce and a plain yogurt. I am starting to enjoy having plain yogurt more than the fruit-based yogurt. I guess because they keep serving them to us here. I am developing a taste for simplicity I guess. Let’s see what happens after my stay here.
That could be one of the aspects of this experience that might stick with me. I may end up focusing on eating more simply and healthy.
Budget
I decided I needed to create a budget for the rest of this month and the next. I went over my remaining salary and the expenses I would incur for the rest of the time before my next salary. I got the idea of how it will all turn out and so I will work with what I have and take it from there.
I sat with Kaori and a friend of hers who just returned for the third part of her treatment. We spoke a bit and got acquainted. There were only three of us until Takeshi came. Takeshi joined in later on because he had to meet the doctor after lunch was served. Today, our meal was more filling. I had seafood curry rice. That was pretty good. We also had imitation crab salad with lettuce and a plain yogurt. I am starting to enjoy having plain yogurt more than the fruit-based yogurt. I guess because they keep serving them to us here. I am developing a taste for simplicity I guess. Let’s see what happens after my stay here.
That could be one of the aspects of this experience that might stick with me. I may end up focusing on eating more simply and healthy.
Budget
I decided I needed to create a budget for the rest of this month and the next. I went over my remaining salary and the expenses I would incur for the rest of the time before my next salary. I got the idea of how it will all turn out and so I will work with what I have and take it from there.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Vegucated Film
I began watching a documentary on being a vegan and it is pretty interesting. Three people submit to a temporary vegan diet and are tracked throughout their progress. I like taking challenges of those sorts so I was curious about how the documentary would turn out. I have not finished watching it because I got a visitor.
Aya
For some of you who have been reading my articles, Aya was one of the patients here. She is such an amazing and strong woman and she was talking about life after her stay at this hospital. She can see so much better and she seems to be radiant at once. She has to return on Monday to remove some stitches, but I can’t see them. I am so happy that she feels great. I can hear it in her voice and see it on written all over her face. Takeshi, her and I were talking for about two hours about so much and we had a wonderful time. She brought me one of my favorite Japanese snacks and I took advantage. Yes, I am definitely making it a habit now. I am leaving soon so I will manage. I thanked her dearly. Well, the next time that I will see anyone else from the outside will be on Saturday so no more temptations will arise while I’m here.
Dinner Time
I had dinner with Maya, Takeshi and a lady who sat with us this afternoon during lunch. I did not say much because they spoke in Japanese. I did not mind though. I was pretty hungry and I wanted to eat my food. Takeshi spoke with me a bit, but I was so focused on the food. I was perfectly fine with listening to their Japanese conversation. I hope I was not being rude.
What did we eat?
I took a nice shower and now I am going to finish watching Vegucated. Thanks for reading!
I began watching a documentary on being a vegan and it is pretty interesting. Three people submit to a temporary vegan diet and are tracked throughout their progress. I like taking challenges of those sorts so I was curious about how the documentary would turn out. I have not finished watching it because I got a visitor.
Aya
For some of you who have been reading my articles, Aya was one of the patients here. She is such an amazing and strong woman and she was talking about life after her stay at this hospital. She can see so much better and she seems to be radiant at once. She has to return on Monday to remove some stitches, but I can’t see them. I am so happy that she feels great. I can hear it in her voice and see it on written all over her face. Takeshi, her and I were talking for about two hours about so much and we had a wonderful time. She brought me one of my favorite Japanese snacks and I took advantage. Yes, I am definitely making it a habit now. I am leaving soon so I will manage. I thanked her dearly. Well, the next time that I will see anyone else from the outside will be on Saturday so no more temptations will arise while I’m here.
Dinner Time
I had dinner with Maya, Takeshi and a lady who sat with us this afternoon during lunch. I did not say much because they spoke in Japanese. I did not mind though. I was pretty hungry and I wanted to eat my food. Takeshi spoke with me a bit, but I was so focused on the food. I was perfectly fine with listening to their Japanese conversation. I hope I was not being rude.
What did we eat?
- A mix of burdock with ground chicken and mushrooms
- An egg soup
- Salmon with potato wedges and lettuce
- Rice
- Drinkable yogurt
I took a nice shower and now I am going to finish watching Vegucated. Thanks for reading!
