Diary of My Eye Disease Treatment
Day Ten
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
JENNIFER | SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 7:26PM JST
Yesterday & Today
You might be wondering why I didn’t write at all yesterday. Well, I didn’t feel like it. Simple as that. I wanted to spend the day doing something else. I followed my daily routines and got a lot of reading done. I started another book, which I had intended to begin reading before I even got a hold of it. It’s a fiction novel by Peter Jones, The Good Guy’s Guide to Getting the Girl. I began it in the morning and got halfway through it. It is definitely an interesting read about the life of a guy and dating from a man’s perspective. I hadn’t read anything like that before and it is surely good insight. I hope to finish it today. I know I put my other book, The Voice of Knowledge, to the side, but I can always get back to that one later.
I didn’t take any photos yesterday for the simple fact that I did not want to contribute to my diary in any way. Plus, I didn’t get much sleep the night before and I wanted to dedicate the next day to resting as much as I could. So, I did. I napped for the most part of the day and that allowed me to regenerate my stamina. I also took a sleeping pill for the first time and a bowel movement pill, because the last couple of days have been a little rough. Then headed to bed at around 10:00pm.
Yesterday & Today
You might be wondering why I didn’t write at all yesterday. Well, I didn’t feel like it. Simple as that. I wanted to spend the day doing something else. I followed my daily routines and got a lot of reading done. I started another book, which I had intended to begin reading before I even got a hold of it. It’s a fiction novel by Peter Jones, The Good Guy’s Guide to Getting the Girl. I began it in the morning and got halfway through it. It is definitely an interesting read about the life of a guy and dating from a man’s perspective. I hadn’t read anything like that before and it is surely good insight. I hope to finish it today. I know I put my other book, The Voice of Knowledge, to the side, but I can always get back to that one later.
I didn’t take any photos yesterday for the simple fact that I did not want to contribute to my diary in any way. Plus, I didn’t get much sleep the night before and I wanted to dedicate the next day to resting as much as I could. So, I did. I napped for the most part of the day and that allowed me to regenerate my stamina. I also took a sleeping pill for the first time and a bowel movement pill, because the last couple of days have been a little rough. Then headed to bed at around 10:00pm.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
I also failed to add that my room was completely full these last couple of days. Again, there are six beds in my room and all six beds had patients. None of the women spoke English so I haven’t made much contact with them. The 50 or 60 something year-old lady whose bed is in front of me is leaving today. There is one lady who is next to me, but we don’t speak. As of now, there will be five women remaining. Everyone’s situation is different. Some people come in for simpler procedures and others stay longer than, like me.
This Morning
I slept in as much as I could. Although I went to the restroom before 7:00, I was able to sleep a little longer afterwards. That felt good. Then the morning check-up took place. I slept a little longer after that and then got up and brushed my teeth. Then I went off to breakfast.
Breakfast
This morning I sat with Yurie. I know she is pretty excited because it is her last day. I am excited for her. Now, I will spend most of my time in my room eating, writing, reading and relaxing. Not a big deal, just prefer to keep to myself. I asked her what she was planning on eating as soon as she left today. She didn’t hesitate to say, sweets! Tell me about it! Well, that only applies to people who like candy as much as we do. I told her some of the Japanese sweets that I love and she seems to enjoy them too.
This Morning
I slept in as much as I could. Although I went to the restroom before 7:00, I was able to sleep a little longer afterwards. That felt good. Then the morning check-up took place. I slept a little longer after that and then got up and brushed my teeth. Then I went off to breakfast.
Breakfast
This morning I sat with Yurie. I know she is pretty excited because it is her last day. I am excited for her. Now, I will spend most of my time in my room eating, writing, reading and relaxing. Not a big deal, just prefer to keep to myself. I asked her what she was planning on eating as soon as she left today. She didn’t hesitate to say, sweets! Tell me about it! Well, that only applies to people who like candy as much as we do. I told her some of the Japanese sweets that I love and she seems to enjoy them too.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Confession
There is one Japanese sweet that I had in my bag from the time I got here. In the last couple of days, I lost my battle with temptation and I ate it. I know I’m not supposed to eat any outside food, but I couldn’t help it. I was feeling a little hungry between meals and gave in. Don't judge me. I also felt a little guilty and to make matters worse, it left a bad taste in my mouth. From that point on, I decided to refuse eating any other outside snacks until I leave this place.
For breakfast, we had rice, wheat gluten and seaweed soup, a Japanese egg dish, which was pretty good today, some bean sprout and cucumber salad and some yogurt. I enjoyed every bite. Yurie and I kept our conversation short and after breakfast, the nurse came into the eating area to place my sticker on my face. Later, I went to my room got on the computer.
There is one Japanese sweet that I had in my bag from the time I got here. In the last couple of days, I lost my battle with temptation and I ate it. I know I’m not supposed to eat any outside food, but I couldn’t help it. I was feeling a little hungry between meals and gave in. Don't judge me. I also felt a little guilty and to make matters worse, it left a bad taste in my mouth. From that point on, I decided to refuse eating any other outside snacks until I leave this place.
For breakfast, we had rice, wheat gluten and seaweed soup, a Japanese egg dish, which was pretty good today, some bean sprout and cucumber salad and some yogurt. I enjoyed every bite. Yurie and I kept our conversation short and after breakfast, the nurse came into the eating area to place my sticker on my face. Later, I went to my room got on the computer.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
The IV Injection
It was pretty simple today. The nurse set the IV up on my left arm and made sure it wasn’t hurting. I thanked her and she went about her way.
The Eye Injection
About an hour after the sticker, the doctor came in and administered the injection. She had me go into position, prompted me to look up straight, as always, and placed the needle as close to the eyeball as I think I have ever felt it before. I almost thought she’d poke it, but she didn’t. She dispersed the fluid then wrapped it up. I lay there holding the alcohol pad and knowing that the pain would kick in. It did and the mallet feeling just swung into action. It doesn’t help that I have been feeling a slight headache these last couple of mornings. I waited while the sting, the pain and the overall discomfort weakened. After a few minutes, I got up and started writing. The headaches seem to last a little longer, not as strongly, but faintly throughout the day.
The Follow-Up
The doctor whose English skills are pretty good gave me the shot and did my follow-up. She asked how I was feeling and I admitted that I have been experiencing slight headaches the last couple of days. She wanted to make sure that I have been getting enough sleep. I stated that last night I slept well.
She also asked about my vision and I told her that it varies. One moment I see clearly, other moments either blurry or have slight double vision. She took a pencil, moved it from side to side and up and down wondering if I see double vision. The only time I saw that way was while looking to my far left. She concluded that we barely look to the far left while holding our heads straight anyway.
It was pretty simple today. The nurse set the IV up on my left arm and made sure it wasn’t hurting. I thanked her and she went about her way.
The Eye Injection
About an hour after the sticker, the doctor came in and administered the injection. She had me go into position, prompted me to look up straight, as always, and placed the needle as close to the eyeball as I think I have ever felt it before. I almost thought she’d poke it, but she didn’t. She dispersed the fluid then wrapped it up. I lay there holding the alcohol pad and knowing that the pain would kick in. It did and the mallet feeling just swung into action. It doesn’t help that I have been feeling a slight headache these last couple of mornings. I waited while the sting, the pain and the overall discomfort weakened. After a few minutes, I got up and started writing. The headaches seem to last a little longer, not as strongly, but faintly throughout the day.
The Follow-Up
The doctor whose English skills are pretty good gave me the shot and did my follow-up. She asked how I was feeling and I admitted that I have been experiencing slight headaches the last couple of days. She wanted to make sure that I have been getting enough sleep. I stated that last night I slept well.
She also asked about my vision and I told her that it varies. One moment I see clearly, other moments either blurry or have slight double vision. She took a pencil, moved it from side to side and up and down wondering if I see double vision. The only time I saw that way was while looking to my far left. She concluded that we barely look to the far left while holding our heads straight anyway.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
I inquired about my progress and she sees the swelling from my eyes have slightly decreased. That’s good news. I look forward to this continuous recovery. Another topic I was concerned about was the fact that some patients here who have had the same treatment that I am currently undergoing may return to the hospital a year or two later due to additional complications. She said that in some cases, situations like these happen, but she does not see this happening to me. Of course, there is no telling what might happen. Either way, she feels good about this being the only eye treatment I may need to experience. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and my mind at an all-time positive.
Yurie’s Departure
Yurie stopped by to say goodbye. She was glowing in happiness and I am so happy for her. She wrote me a letter in English and I am ever so thankful. I asked her to stay in touch via Facebook. I hope she does. She’s a beautiful soul.
Yurie’s Departure
Yurie stopped by to say goodbye. She was glowing in happiness and I am so happy for her. She wrote me a letter in English and I am ever so thankful. I asked her to stay in touch via Facebook. I hope she does. She’s a beautiful soul.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Lunch Time
Today, I decided to have lunch in my room. It was so delicious. They served noodles. They are called うどん(pronounced udon). Those are my favorite noodles in Japan. It came with a sauce on the side for me to pour at my taste. These noodles are meant to be eaten cold. The other dishes consisted of Tempura, which is another Japanese dish made of deep-fried seafood and vegetables, a side of veggies and for dessert some あんみつ (or at least that’s what I think it is. It is pronounced Anmitsu). For those of you who do not know what that is, let me explain. It is a mix of fruits. It all depends on who serves it, but mine had tangerines and pineapples with sweet beans, mocha (small sticky white rice balls) and a clear light jelly. That was perfect! I have been craving sweets and that just made my day!
Lunch is over and I’ve decided to write and rest. Let’s see what the rest of the day holds.
Electro-Cardiogram
I got an electro-cardiogram done about half past two to make sure that everything is doing well with my heart. The staff is always making sure that my heart palpitations are at a normal rate. So far, I have had two or three of ECGs. Today was the last day of my second course of IV injections and now to wait the next four days before the last three consecutive ones.
I have to get off of this bed and move to the eatery room so that a lady can change the bed sheets. It’s laundry day! I’ll be back in a jiffy.
Today, I decided to have lunch in my room. It was so delicious. They served noodles. They are called うどん(pronounced udon). Those are my favorite noodles in Japan. It came with a sauce on the side for me to pour at my taste. These noodles are meant to be eaten cold. The other dishes consisted of Tempura, which is another Japanese dish made of deep-fried seafood and vegetables, a side of veggies and for dessert some あんみつ (or at least that’s what I think it is. It is pronounced Anmitsu). For those of you who do not know what that is, let me explain. It is a mix of fruits. It all depends on who serves it, but mine had tangerines and pineapples with sweet beans, mocha (small sticky white rice balls) and a clear light jelly. That was perfect! I have been craving sweets and that just made my day!
Lunch is over and I’ve decided to write and rest. Let’s see what the rest of the day holds.
Electro-Cardiogram
I got an electro-cardiogram done about half past two to make sure that everything is doing well with my heart. The staff is always making sure that my heart palpitations are at a normal rate. So far, I have had two or three of ECGs. Today was the last day of my second course of IV injections and now to wait the next four days before the last three consecutive ones.
I have to get off of this bed and move to the eatery room so that a lady can change the bed sheets. It’s laundry day! I’ll be back in a jiffy.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
While I was uploading this article onto my website, a lady in her 60s approached my bed area and invited me to dinner. She made a point to say that she speaks little English. She's adorable already. It doesn't fail. There are always beautiful souls who want to speak with me. Her English isn't so bad after all. She told me that she just got admitted into this hospital about three days ago and will stay here for about two more weeks to undergo surgery. We happen to have the same disease. She shared that her and her husband frequent Italy once a year and that she's also studying Italian. On top of that she has a 38-year-old daughter who she wants me to meet tomorrow. We talked and laughed a lot. She also wants us to continue having meals together. I accepted. Then we finished and wished each other a good night. Her name shall be Kaori.
Dinner
It was great! We had rice like always, tofu mixed with chicken and small noodles, a small scrumptious soup and fish dressed with vegetables. It couldn't have gotten and better than this. I feel as though I am at a 4-star restaurant because the cooking is pretty awesome here.
That is all for today. Thank you for reading my diary!
Dinner
It was great! We had rice like always, tofu mixed with chicken and small noodles, a small scrumptious soup and fish dressed with vegetables. It couldn't have gotten and better than this. I feel as though I am at a 4-star restaurant because the cooking is pretty awesome here.
That is all for today. Thank you for reading my diary!
