My workload gradually increases as I can handle more. I tried a business trip to Bahrain, which has a 5 hour time difference with Singapore. Well prepared with sprays, nose flush, pain killers etc, I managed to chair a workshop and attend various meetings. I even had the energy to do yoga in the morning when I woke up at 3am but I guess I overstretched a bit. I was sad I could not meet my Arab friend who is undergoing chemotherapy for his kidneys.
The return to Singapore was by the red-eye (night) flight which left me exhausted, and it took me several days to get into my rhythm again. It all seemed to settle except for a shooting pain in my ribs. It wasn't that bad so I started preparing the move to Tokyo.
Sunday July 1st came sooner than I thought, lugging heavy suitcases to the airport, settling into a temporary hotel and viewing the house. Moving in while going to work all went like a breeze, with lots of energy and support of my brother-in-law. A bit busy but it all went fine except for a growing fear that the nagging pain in my side could be something much worse.
Then Thursday came. The shooting pain in my ribcage had become unbearable so I planned a visit to the company clinic to make sure it had nothing to do with my kidney (knowing what my friend to go through the last years). Lucky the nurse and this doctor spoke rather good english. Relief, the urine test came in blank so no kidney stone or anything worse which I had feared. The doctor recommended I'd better visit a orthopaedic and kindly made a printout of english speaking doctors in the neighbourhood.
The fear of metastasis had been nagging all along and had made me gradually more and more worried. I expressed it in my mental support WhatsApp group of bro's and sissies. Their reassuring responses reduced my anxiety, again providing me great mental support.
The next day's search for an orthopaedic went a bit different then expected as my explanation in Japanese resulted in me landing with an English speaking GP. I thought a second a opinion on the source of my pain wouldn't do any harm so I let the severe Nirasawa-sensei go about his painful investigation and in turn I could explain my medical background which he emphatically recorded.
Sensei shared my concern that the pain could mean more than just a pulled muscle or a concussion. He warned I might have to go for a CT-scan which made my heart skip a beat. I explained my upcoming check-up in August, and when the urine test again came in blank, he agreed to wait until then and prescribed painkillers. Big relief!
Lucky I had found excellent English speaking doctors which can be a pain in Tokyo. Both had provided me a listening ear to vent my worries and anxiety. Thank you Nirasawa-sensei of Musashinoyohwakai Hospital! For the days he is not practicing I asked for another English speaking doctor and Nakae-sensei was recommended by the helpful nurse.
My rusty Japanese helped me to gain confidence to deal with life in Tokyo the coming years. With all help from family and medical staff I somehow handled the fear of metastasis to my kidney and recover my positive mindset.
My colleagues were so caring and called me last night while enjoying the welcome party planned for me. I had cancelled to lie down and control the pain. With the noise of the party in the background they promised to organise another welcome party once I recovered enough. :-) I am going to enjoy it here.
Thank you all! I love you. It helps a lot to write it all down and reflect on what I have learned and in the process get the fear out my system. Camping alone in an empty house in Tokyo is not the best of places to go through all of this.
