Diary of My Eye Disease Treatment
Day Twelve
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
JENNIFER | SEPTEMBER 21, 2014 11:36PM JST
Today was a pretty simple day.
Followed my morning routine.
Before 7:00, two of the new ladies in my room were up and talking as if it were the middle of the day. I huffed and puffed, shook on my bed and then shook my curtains until they quiet themselves down. I think and hope they got the point.
Breakfast
I sat with Kaori, Maya and the other lady. We talked about food. Kaori clearly likes to cook and she was teaching me how to make simple desserts at home, which I will definitely try. She said to buy small round flour discs, cut up some apples (or fruits), add a few pieces to the discs, close them, place them in the microwave for a few seconds then deep fry them for a short time. Voila, A small slightly battered fruit tart! I can’t wait to try it at home. She was also asking me what kinds of food I like to cook and we kept talking about that for some time.
Today was a pretty simple day.
Followed my morning routine.
Before 7:00, two of the new ladies in my room were up and talking as if it were the middle of the day. I huffed and puffed, shook on my bed and then shook my curtains until they quiet themselves down. I think and hope they got the point.
Breakfast
I sat with Kaori, Maya and the other lady. We talked about food. Kaori clearly likes to cook and she was teaching me how to make simple desserts at home, which I will definitely try. She said to buy small round flour discs, cut up some apples (or fruits), add a few pieces to the discs, close them, place them in the microwave for a few seconds then deep fry them for a short time. Voila, A small slightly battered fruit tart! I can’t wait to try it at home. She was also asking me what kinds of food I like to cook and we kept talking about that for some time.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
For breakfast we had vegetable soup, a mix of egg, cheese, corn, greens and tomato sauce in one bowl, two slices of bread with jam, a piece of banana and grape yogurt. The packets of jam are very tiny and Kaori does not like putting jam on her bread so she gave me hers. I didn’t ask for it, but it was nice of her to do so.
The Eye Injection
Thirty minutes in and I got the anesthetic sticker. Shy of an hour and a half later, the doctor came to administer the eye injection. There isn’t much to analyze about it because it felt just as painful as it’s been feeling recently. I lay there, waited while the firing pain went down. I almost dozed off for it felt like it took longer to go away.
The Eye Injection
Thirty minutes in and I got the anesthetic sticker. Shy of an hour and a half later, the doctor came to administer the eye injection. There isn’t much to analyze about it because it felt just as painful as it’s been feeling recently. I lay there, waited while the firing pain went down. I almost dozed off for it felt like it took longer to go away.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
During that same time, the lady who was admitted at the same time as I did left. I was a bit shocked, because I thought she would leave at the same time as me. Well, we don’t have the same problem, but she looked like her problem was much worse. I could be. Either way, I wished her the best of luck and I really do.
Follow-Up
I got a follow-up and the doctor voluntarily stated that the swelling in my eyes is going down. That put a smile on my face.
On the Computer
I spent all morning tending to other personal business on my computer so I did not spend too much time on my diary. I want to meet a goal. Prior to leaving this hospital, I would like to finish my plan. So far, it is turning out pretty promising. I have ditched reading and other projects, even delayed my diary entries for the simple fact that I have a deadline to meet. I know that after I leave this hospital, I will be busy working on other stuff.
Follow-Up
I got a follow-up and the doctor voluntarily stated that the swelling in my eyes is going down. That put a smile on my face.
On the Computer
I spent all morning tending to other personal business on my computer so I did not spend too much time on my diary. I want to meet a goal. Prior to leaving this hospital, I would like to finish my plan. So far, it is turning out pretty promising. I have ditched reading and other projects, even delayed my diary entries for the simple fact that I have a deadline to meet. I know that after I leave this hospital, I will be busy working on other stuff.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Lunch Time
I joined my new group of hospital friends again. Our conversations are not as detailed as I have had with past patients, but we get a few words in. I pay more attention to my food and whenever a subject matter arises, we briefly touch upon it.
We were served mushroom soup, rice, cabbage, and a dish that they call, すぶた which is sweet and sour pork. In my case, they served me chicken, because I don’t eat pork. We also had a side dish with pineapples. The food was good, but the pineapples had a peculiar taste. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish them.
I joined my new group of hospital friends again. Our conversations are not as detailed as I have had with past patients, but we get a few words in. I pay more attention to my food and whenever a subject matter arises, we briefly touch upon it.
We were served mushroom soup, rice, cabbage, and a dish that they call, すぶた which is sweet and sour pork. In my case, they served me chicken, because I don’t eat pork. We also had a side dish with pineapples. The food was good, but the pineapples had a peculiar taste. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish them.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Daily Medication Breakdown
One thing that I have completely forgotten to share with you is that on a daily basis, I have to take medicine after breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed. In the morning, I chew a pill to help me with my digestion, I also have to take a small pack of granulated medicine to possibly avoid a stomachache, and the third tiny thin powdered packet is supposed to help me maintain a regular bowel movement. After lunch, I have to take the same tiny powdered packet and again after dinner. Before bed, I take another granulated packet of medicine for my stomach. It is the same kind of medicine packet I take in the morning. In some cases, I have a hard time falling asleep so there have been moments where I have asked for a sleeping pill to get me snoozing. In case I have issues with my bowel movements, I also ask for a laxative.
I felt a little lazy today so I put a movie on my computer, closed the curtains and started watching it. After a few minutes, I had to turn it off and I took a nap for I don’t know how long. Then, I got a surprise.
An Unexpected Visitor
In the midst of my nap, I heard someone calling my name. It wasn’t a dream. It was one of my coworkers. What a nice surprise. She came in and sat with me. We talked about life here and I was thankful for her showing up. I was looking groggy and she kept apologizing for disturbing me. Anyhow, I was just happy to see her. We talked about what she was planning to do this evening and she said she would get her hair done in this area. That sounds like fun. She was asking me if I could leave the hospital, but unfortunately I can’t. I would love to come and go from time to time. I don’t know why I haven’t made it a point to try and get some fresh air. I think I will try to convince the doctors and nurses to allow me to take a walk outside of the hospital. Do you think they will permit it? Let’s see. Wait until some of my friends come over.
Kaori’s daughter stopped by while my visitor was here. She wanted to check up on me and make sure I was okay. That was very sweet of her.
Once my visitor left, Kaori came by and told me that she had some sweets. I burst out laughing. All I could think about was, “you are killing me with the snacks!” I am but so strong. She brought two snacks and said it was a secret. Then she asked me if I wanted more, but in reality what I thought she was asking was if I was okay with what I had, so I said ‘yes.’ Why did I respond? Before I could take it back, she returned with two more snacks. Oh my gosh! I quickly put them in a plastic bag and stuffed it in my drawer. The thought of eating some of it has definitely crossed my mind, but I think I will end up collecting everything I receive and eat them all when I leave the hospital. I will have more than enough snacks while at home. Today is the 21st and I have six more days to go. It didn’t cross my mind to countdown my stay here. I prefer not to. This is a great learning experience; the people, the procedures and being in the moment has brought so much insight to me.
One thing that I have completely forgotten to share with you is that on a daily basis, I have to take medicine after breakfast, lunch, dinner and before bed. In the morning, I chew a pill to help me with my digestion, I also have to take a small pack of granulated medicine to possibly avoid a stomachache, and the third tiny thin powdered packet is supposed to help me maintain a regular bowel movement. After lunch, I have to take the same tiny powdered packet and again after dinner. Before bed, I take another granulated packet of medicine for my stomach. It is the same kind of medicine packet I take in the morning. In some cases, I have a hard time falling asleep so there have been moments where I have asked for a sleeping pill to get me snoozing. In case I have issues with my bowel movements, I also ask for a laxative.
I felt a little lazy today so I put a movie on my computer, closed the curtains and started watching it. After a few minutes, I had to turn it off and I took a nap for I don’t know how long. Then, I got a surprise.
An Unexpected Visitor
In the midst of my nap, I heard someone calling my name. It wasn’t a dream. It was one of my coworkers. What a nice surprise. She came in and sat with me. We talked about life here and I was thankful for her showing up. I was looking groggy and she kept apologizing for disturbing me. Anyhow, I was just happy to see her. We talked about what she was planning to do this evening and she said she would get her hair done in this area. That sounds like fun. She was asking me if I could leave the hospital, but unfortunately I can’t. I would love to come and go from time to time. I don’t know why I haven’t made it a point to try and get some fresh air. I think I will try to convince the doctors and nurses to allow me to take a walk outside of the hospital. Do you think they will permit it? Let’s see. Wait until some of my friends come over.
Kaori’s daughter stopped by while my visitor was here. She wanted to check up on me and make sure I was okay. That was very sweet of her.
Once my visitor left, Kaori came by and told me that she had some sweets. I burst out laughing. All I could think about was, “you are killing me with the snacks!” I am but so strong. She brought two snacks and said it was a secret. Then she asked me if I wanted more, but in reality what I thought she was asking was if I was okay with what I had, so I said ‘yes.’ Why did I respond? Before I could take it back, she returned with two more snacks. Oh my gosh! I quickly put them in a plastic bag and stuffed it in my drawer. The thought of eating some of it has definitely crossed my mind, but I think I will end up collecting everything I receive and eat them all when I leave the hospital. I will have more than enough snacks while at home. Today is the 21st and I have six more days to go. It didn’t cross my mind to countdown my stay here. I prefer not to. This is a great learning experience; the people, the procedures and being in the moment has brought so much insight to me.
© 2014 Jennifer Gutierrez
Dinner
Almost time for dinner. I was still working on my plans up until I had to eat. I went to the dinner table and sat with the lovely ladies. Ms. Kaori kept thinking about a store that she recommends I purchase goods from. I told her that one of the dishes I like to cook is pasta and she recommended a place called Yamaya. She says that it is inexpensive and they have great products. She also tried her best to show me where it was on the map in her phone. I told her that I would do my best to find it and I think I will. For dinner, we had a tofu patty, bean sprouts with pickled cucumber salad and it had a hint of wasabi, rice and tomato and burdock soup. I loved it! After dinner, I placed my tray away and headed back to my room.
Muscle Contractions
I have not been active here so my body has been contracting in so many ways. If I walk up a couple of stairs, I feel slight aches on my calves and legs. That isn’t good. I decided to walk up and down the stairs. I stretched for about 15-20 minutes until my legs were feeling a little more relaxed. I did yoga poses that I could remember and did a mini workout on the stairs. My body needed all of that and still needs more. This is going to be a daily thing, because I can’t leave this place feeling like I was in a coma. After that, I took a nice shower and headed back to my room. My body feels a lot better.
I will leave it at that for today. Thank you for reading my diary!
Almost time for dinner. I was still working on my plans up until I had to eat. I went to the dinner table and sat with the lovely ladies. Ms. Kaori kept thinking about a store that she recommends I purchase goods from. I told her that one of the dishes I like to cook is pasta and she recommended a place called Yamaya. She says that it is inexpensive and they have great products. She also tried her best to show me where it was on the map in her phone. I told her that I would do my best to find it and I think I will. For dinner, we had a tofu patty, bean sprouts with pickled cucumber salad and it had a hint of wasabi, rice and tomato and burdock soup. I loved it! After dinner, I placed my tray away and headed back to my room.
Muscle Contractions
I have not been active here so my body has been contracting in so many ways. If I walk up a couple of stairs, I feel slight aches on my calves and legs. That isn’t good. I decided to walk up and down the stairs. I stretched for about 15-20 minutes until my legs were feeling a little more relaxed. I did yoga poses that I could remember and did a mini workout on the stairs. My body needed all of that and still needs more. This is going to be a daily thing, because I can’t leave this place feeling like I was in a coma. After that, I took a nice shower and headed back to my room. My body feels a lot better.
I will leave it at that for today. Thank you for reading my diary!
