Briefly: Messed up date with hospital appointments (every time, like lining up dominos to get all doctors/injections/tests lined up on same day and was supposed to be here last Friday) getting some of the stuff done today but means back here again next Friday. Very discouraged :(
*Not smiling* with my eyes
The hospital staff were super accommodating and got me in for “cocktail injection” and with Chinese Medicine Doctor who reviewed my memo and gave a thorough exam of abdomen, pulses and tongue.
TCM Doctor told me pulses are very weak and shallow, my body is fighting and trying but needs rest + Hot Springs and protein.
of course the hospital has flowers on display
I’ll be back next Friday to finish up the parts of the visit didn’t get done this time including inquiries about options for IVIG & Ozone therapy.
Aug 3: I’ve got a big long day at the hospital tomorrow, preparation for which is my priority.
So I’m going to fold some laundry and tidy up the writing desk.
Resisting desire to re-hang new art.
Did I tell you about our massive closet project yesterday?
Will find a long-winded yet loquacious esoteric historical rabbit hole podcast/video/audiobook (what’s the difference anymore?) to listen while I’m doing the above.
(Yes Margaret, I scribble when I’m anxious)
“to seriousness, as a miner who is always in danger makes haste in what he does”
V vG
Aug. 4: Terrible sleep, unbelievably anxious about today’s hospital visit even though I’ve done this literally hundreds of times before…
So, “pregaming” at my tiny calm cool coffee shop from which the master sent me a postcard (with transcription from his diary remarking on my first visit to his kissaten)
Machinery translation / dapper & injection
I keep whispering to myself (while at hospital checkpoint 2 of 5 or 6)
“you’ll be okay”
(I neeeeeed a long rest, however, i cant think about quite yet) but also, im #betterthanbefore
Always exciting to go to the “department of nuclear medicine”… Isn’t it? #BetterThanOppenheimer
Protip: for “tube tests” I now bring my own sleeping masks and earplugs and ensure them there is no metal included.
I have a whole arsenal of earplugs for different circumstances and situations but my “heavy artillery” are custom made by a hearing aid maker in Thailand and work their way down my ear canal and seal off the entire world when fully inserted.
Oh and I took my wonderful doctor a gift of a travel size Bodum French press – stainless steel with extra lid.
She’s incredibly busy and I always find canned coffee empties on her desk so trying to change that travesty.
Also, some bamboo charcoal and a shodo style letter.
Of course, I also have (at last count) 47 different sleeping masks in my continual search for the “perfect sleeping mask” / eventually, will sew my own but my fingers are much more geared for “big clumsy rough” projects right now
Postbox in the hospital / so many extra services available
Colossally long day at hospital. They’re incredibly efficient, organized and caring but my goodness, it’s a busy place and today had several different checkpoints including injections and scans in magical tubes.
My darlings came to pick me up fortunately, we are now home.
Thanks as always for my “fellow chronic and complex travelers” for chiming in with words of support and solidarity.
In my mind, summertime is especially hard for folks like us. #shrug
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