Diary of My Eye Disease Treatment
Day Fourteen
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
JENNIFER | SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 10: 45PM JST
Good day folks!
This morning was an average morning. The ladies in my room were up early, but I slept in a little longer. Slept? Maybe not, I just lay there.
Got my morning check complete even though it was a little earlier than usual. The cleaning lady came in to get the contents of my garbage and I didn’t move. I wanted her to know I was still asleep. I know that is just terrible. Minutes later, I sat up and began placing yesterday’s diary article on my website. I couldn’t get into my account last night so I did it this morning.
A Mini Stretch Session
I stretched for some time to help my muscles get ready to leave this hospital soon.
Good day folks!
This morning was an average morning. The ladies in my room were up early, but I slept in a little longer. Slept? Maybe not, I just lay there.
Got my morning check complete even though it was a little earlier than usual. The cleaning lady came in to get the contents of my garbage and I didn’t move. I wanted her to know I was still asleep. I know that is just terrible. Minutes later, I sat up and began placing yesterday’s diary article on my website. I couldn’t get into my account last night so I did it this morning.
A Mini Stretch Session
I stretched for some time to help my muscles get ready to leave this hospital soon.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Breakfast
I did not join the crew, because I wanted to get the article up and running. I ended up eating in my room and it was delicious. What did I have? They served rice, tofu with vegetables, tofu and potato soup, eggplant and a strawberry yogurt drink. I enjoyed it as usual. I felt a little bad since I know the group was waiting for me. When I went to return my tray, they had joined two tables for all of us to fit. Either way, they understood that I had to work on my diary.
After breakfast, I received my anesthetic sticker. Later on the doctor came in and gave me the injection. It was a bit painful today. I could hear the liquid squirt into my skin. I waited for about 5 or 6 minutes and it subsided quickly.
I did not join the crew, because I wanted to get the article up and running. I ended up eating in my room and it was delicious. What did I have? They served rice, tofu with vegetables, tofu and potato soup, eggplant and a strawberry yogurt drink. I enjoyed it as usual. I felt a little bad since I know the group was waiting for me. When I went to return my tray, they had joined two tables for all of us to fit. Either way, they understood that I had to work on my diary.
After breakfast, I received my anesthetic sticker. Later on the doctor came in and gave me the injection. It was a bit painful today. I could hear the liquid squirt into my skin. I waited for about 5 or 6 minutes and it subsided quickly.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Follow-Up
The doctor told me that I am showing improvement. The swelling is going down and after my treatment, which ends in less than four days, I will be taking medication for a few months. I believe she said I would take 3 or 4 pills a day for about three months then I will get a lower dosage as time goes on. That sounds promising. I know I shouldn’t rush to leave, but time is crunching and it is getting closer to check out. My last three-day IV treatment starts again tomorrow and that should be fun!
One of the ladies in my room left. Now, there are only two of us!
My Older Brother
I was chatting with my older brother who pretty much stays in touch with me almost every day. I was telling him about a documentary that I saw named I Am and he asked me if I had access to Netflix. Sadly, Japan has not gotten that service yet. On the other hand, I forgot that I have a blocker on my Google Chrome browser that would probably allow me to watch Netflix movies. My brother gave me his account information and I went ahead and got in. Woohoo! I am so excited about it. I am thankful. Now, I will spend a lot more time watching movies. Yippee! I love movies.
The first movie that caught my attention was Don Jon. It seemed like a hit so I watched it. It was okay. Nothing special. Then I moved onto a documentary. I decided to go for National Geographic: Inside North Korea. That was a bit realistic and although life there is atrocious for the common people, it was not a surprise to me to see what life is really like for them and how people are treated.
I am on a roll now.
I started watching a documentary on Google. It entailed very useful information on the two founders’ journeys to building their business. When great ideas arise, opportunities are inclined to become available. On the flip side, there are always problems in any growing and successful business as it increases in popularity. I love learning about how business owners build and struggle. Yet, at the end of the day those who persevere the hardest and smartest are the same ones who break through the most challenging moments.
The doctor told me that I am showing improvement. The swelling is going down and after my treatment, which ends in less than four days, I will be taking medication for a few months. I believe she said I would take 3 or 4 pills a day for about three months then I will get a lower dosage as time goes on. That sounds promising. I know I shouldn’t rush to leave, but time is crunching and it is getting closer to check out. My last three-day IV treatment starts again tomorrow and that should be fun!
One of the ladies in my room left. Now, there are only two of us!
My Older Brother
I was chatting with my older brother who pretty much stays in touch with me almost every day. I was telling him about a documentary that I saw named I Am and he asked me if I had access to Netflix. Sadly, Japan has not gotten that service yet. On the other hand, I forgot that I have a blocker on my Google Chrome browser that would probably allow me to watch Netflix movies. My brother gave me his account information and I went ahead and got in. Woohoo! I am so excited about it. I am thankful. Now, I will spend a lot more time watching movies. Yippee! I love movies.
The first movie that caught my attention was Don Jon. It seemed like a hit so I watched it. It was okay. Nothing special. Then I moved onto a documentary. I decided to go for National Geographic: Inside North Korea. That was a bit realistic and although life there is atrocious for the common people, it was not a surprise to me to see what life is really like for them and how people are treated.
I am on a roll now.
I started watching a documentary on Google. It entailed very useful information on the two founders’ journeys to building their business. When great ideas arise, opportunities are inclined to become available. On the flip side, there are always problems in any growing and successful business as it increases in popularity. I love learning about how business owners build and struggle. Yet, at the end of the day those who persevere the hardest and smartest are the same ones who break through the most challenging moments.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Asking the Nurse
I was very curious to find out about my snack-eating habits so I took my chances and I asked one of the nurses, “If my friends bring me some snacks, could I have some?” I thought that she would say something along the lines of, “It will hurt your diet and you might get very sick.” Nonetheless, that wasn’t the case. She ended up telling me that if they do bring it, I should just secretly eat it. I was shocked! The nurse told me this! I’m not making it a habit out of it, but I just want a damn snack.
I’m hypothesizing that the main reason why they don’t want us to eat them is so we won’t gain weight or have an acne outbreak like I already have. First off, I have lost about 5-7 pounds here. That is mainly because I do not get enough food. I like having some weight on my body. Excuse me, but I’m going to have a piece of Godiva chocolate that my friend brought me the other day.
Takeshi’s Wife
Takeshi’s wife came by bearing gifts. That was one the kindest gestures anyone, who does not know me, has done for me here. She brought me a beanie bag filled with beans to rest on my eyes. I can heat it up and rest the bag on my eyes. She also brought some sweets. She called them “Secret snacks!” Since I have not been on my IV lately, I don’t think that eating the sweets would affect my taste buds as much. So, I took my chances again. I ate one of the sweets. It didn’t leave a bad taste on my mouth, but my tolerance for eating any dessert is lower than usual. Either way, it was pretty good and I enjoyed it. She got me three of them, but I only ate some of one.
Two Visitors
Two of my friends stopped by today. One of them brought me a small box of flowers. They are beautiful! We talked about silly discussion when we get together. Some of the topics were drinking, sneaking food, music videos, and a load of senseless topics. At times, I prefer speaking about more in-depth interesting topics, but some of my friends have a hard time enjoying a deep-seated conversation. To each his or her own.
I was very curious to find out about my snack-eating habits so I took my chances and I asked one of the nurses, “If my friends bring me some snacks, could I have some?” I thought that she would say something along the lines of, “It will hurt your diet and you might get very sick.” Nonetheless, that wasn’t the case. She ended up telling me that if they do bring it, I should just secretly eat it. I was shocked! The nurse told me this! I’m not making it a habit out of it, but I just want a damn snack.
I’m hypothesizing that the main reason why they don’t want us to eat them is so we won’t gain weight or have an acne outbreak like I already have. First off, I have lost about 5-7 pounds here. That is mainly because I do not get enough food. I like having some weight on my body. Excuse me, but I’m going to have a piece of Godiva chocolate that my friend brought me the other day.
Takeshi’s Wife
Takeshi’s wife came by bearing gifts. That was one the kindest gestures anyone, who does not know me, has done for me here. She brought me a beanie bag filled with beans to rest on my eyes. I can heat it up and rest the bag on my eyes. She also brought some sweets. She called them “Secret snacks!” Since I have not been on my IV lately, I don’t think that eating the sweets would affect my taste buds as much. So, I took my chances again. I ate one of the sweets. It didn’t leave a bad taste on my mouth, but my tolerance for eating any dessert is lower than usual. Either way, it was pretty good and I enjoyed it. She got me three of them, but I only ate some of one.
Two Visitors
Two of my friends stopped by today. One of them brought me a small box of flowers. They are beautiful! We talked about silly discussion when we get together. Some of the topics were drinking, sneaking food, music videos, and a load of senseless topics. At times, I prefer speaking about more in-depth interesting topics, but some of my friends have a hard time enjoying a deep-seated conversation. To each his or her own.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
I was a bit hungry when they got here and ate another snack that I had hidden in my drawer. We closed the curtains and I went for it. They offered to get me something from outside, but I didn’t want to make it a big deal. Five o’clock approached and it was time for them to leave. Regular visiting hours are usually until 7:00, but today is a holiday. It’s Autumnal Equinox Day and all businesses are closed, including schools. They were kind enough to stop by and for that I am grateful!
After I finished watching the Google movie, I took some notes. I like to do that because it allows me to ponder on what I saw well after I saw it. Today was mostly a movie day and I have been having fun watching them. Thanks to my brother for giving me access to his account!
Dinner Time!
I was anxiously waiting to get fed. I was a bit hungrier than usual. I sat with Takeshi, Kaori and Maya. The other lady left because she is on the break treatment plan. So now we are only four people. We talked about many themes. We discussed documentaries, names of food, and some areas of Japan that are being built up and are planning to open in a couple of years. We had a great conversation tonight. We also talked about having sweets in our rooms. I think all of us planned on eating sweets after dinner. We love them. Takeshi and I do not get full with our meals, but Kaori gets full easily. Maya got some cheesecake. Yummy! I would love some strawberry cheesecake right now. My dinner consisted of cabbage, freeze-dried tofu called koyatofu mixed with other vegetables, rice and fish with radish and greens. It was all pretty tasty. Oh and a small piece of banana.
That is it for today. I will be watching more movies and translating this article into Spanish! Thanks for reading!
After I finished watching the Google movie, I took some notes. I like to do that because it allows me to ponder on what I saw well after I saw it. Today was mostly a movie day and I have been having fun watching them. Thanks to my brother for giving me access to his account!
Dinner Time!
I was anxiously waiting to get fed. I was a bit hungrier than usual. I sat with Takeshi, Kaori and Maya. The other lady left because she is on the break treatment plan. So now we are only four people. We talked about many themes. We discussed documentaries, names of food, and some areas of Japan that are being built up and are planning to open in a couple of years. We had a great conversation tonight. We also talked about having sweets in our rooms. I think all of us planned on eating sweets after dinner. We love them. Takeshi and I do not get full with our meals, but Kaori gets full easily. Maya got some cheesecake. Yummy! I would love some strawberry cheesecake right now. My dinner consisted of cabbage, freeze-dried tofu called koyatofu mixed with other vegetables, rice and fish with radish and greens. It was all pretty tasty. Oh and a small piece of banana.
That is it for today. I will be watching more movies and translating this article into Spanish! Thanks for reading!
