I know this is the rainy season and I know that we get heavy rain but yesterday was
crazy. Thunder storms and torrential rain for a long time from Saturday night until
about lunch time Sunday. David went to vote in the morning, he said that some places the water was
up to his knees! It was surreal watching the news and recognizing places.
This is from NHK world news, most of the places shown are just down the road from here.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20190721_15/
We are still under a storm warning, but I hope that the worse is over and done with.
The shopping mall where Christopher is working was completely flooded.
This week starts my summer holidays, I'm hoping that the weather will improve!
According to the forecast for this week it is going to get hot! Not sure if that is good
or not!
Sunday, July 21, 2019
Friday, July 5, 2019
Rainy Season
We've had some rain, about 24 hours non stop but not as bad as in some areas south of us. So far no flooding or landslides, as yet. Some areas have not been so lucky.
One problem I have with this weather is the constant headaches and feeling of leathery. I really have no energy at all. Plus, to add to my misery , my allergies are in full swing! I am trying to get things done every day but all I want to do is sleep or sit and stare into space, even reading or watching TV seems like to much trouble. I get this every year but this year it feels worse.
Of course the cats keep me busy. It's a good job they are cute.
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| About 10kgs of fruit |
 |
Monday, June 24, 2019
One Year Check-Up
Today was my one year check up since my cancer diagnosis.
The appointment went okay, just lots of waiting around. First was the mammogram. Not a nice
experience but over in a few minutes. Then a CT scan. To help with the contrast a special
liquid is injected through a drip. I always have problems with having a drip as my veins are rather deep, I ask for the nurse to use the vain on my hand. But the nurse today said that she could get a vein in my arm. After lots of slapping she finally found a vein to stick me. Getting the drip in was alright, but she kept asking if it hurt. I wanted to say of course it hurts you just stuck a big needle in my arm, but I smiled and kept my peace. The CT scan was painless and the staff got it to speak in English to me. At certain times you have to breathe deep and hold your breathe, in Japanese I always get mixed up! Having the English really helped. After that was an echo and then more waiting to see the doctor. One thing with this hospital is that everything is there, so when they take blood it is sent to the hospital lab to be processed. The same with the scan, everything is sent to the doctors computer, no waiting for outside labs! Makes things a bit easier, over and done in one day.
The good news is that every thing is clear, no sign f cancer anywhere.
These are ume fruit that David picked from mother in laws garden the other week. He is making a drink from them. It's really nice and refreshing in the heat. Little sharp which makes the drink nice!
The appointment went okay, just lots of waiting around. First was the mammogram. Not a nice
experience but over in a few minutes. Then a CT scan. To help with the contrast a special
liquid is injected through a drip. I always have problems with having a drip as my veins are rather deep, I ask for the nurse to use the vain on my hand. But the nurse today said that she could get a vein in my arm. After lots of slapping she finally found a vein to stick me. Getting the drip in was alright, but she kept asking if it hurt. I wanted to say of course it hurts you just stuck a big needle in my arm, but I smiled and kept my peace. The CT scan was painless and the staff got it to speak in English to me. At certain times you have to breathe deep and hold your breathe, in Japanese I always get mixed up! Having the English really helped. After that was an echo and then more waiting to see the doctor. One thing with this hospital is that everything is there, so when they take blood it is sent to the hospital lab to be processed. The same with the scan, everything is sent to the doctors computer, no waiting for outside labs! Makes things a bit easier, over and done in one day.
The good news is that every thing is clear, no sign f cancer anywhere.
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Hisao's Birthday
Friday would of been Hisao's 58th birthday. It's hard to think of him as being 58!
I often wonder what he would be doing if he were here. One thing all the problems with
my mother in law would of been on him!
I found some older photos that I've scanned into the computer, not good quality because of the scanner but enjoy!
I really miss Hisao!
I often wonder what he would be doing if he were here. One thing all the problems with
my mother in law would of been on him!
I found some older photos that I've scanned into the computer, not good quality because of the scanner but enjoy!
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| About 5 years old |
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| 20's maybe |
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| 18 years old in Tokyo |
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| With my Mom and Dad, 30 years ago. |
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| With David and Hannah and our first dog |
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| With the kids |
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Here We Go Again
Every year while it is still cool I tell myself that I will do better in the summer.
I determine not to be defeated by the weather. That I will keep to my schedule and not
end up in bed, being miserable. I dream of going out, of visiting places and seeing things,
especially during the holidays. I tell myself that a positive attitude will help because
complaining is not going to change the heat and humidity.
Most years I can get through the first few weeks then end up getting sick.
This year I didn't make it through the first week of the intense heat!
Yesterday, according to a weather app that I have it was 30C but real feel was
up to 36C. I decided that it would be best to use the air conditioner while I was teaching.
But I couldn't find the remote. Mikey and I searched for half an hour but no luck.
I taught for 2 hours, with a big fan on but it didn't help that much.
In the evening I couldn't cool down, got an awful headache and felt sick. When I checked
my temperature it was 38.5C, I had heat stroke. I couldn't believe it, the first week!
So I realized that a positive attitude is not going to change my body and it's reaction
to the heat. But being positive is so much better at dealing with the heat. Moaning is
a waste of time. So now I am trying to find the humor in my situation and how to manage
the rest of the summer.
Our animals seem alright in the heat. The cats don't like to be held, which is understandable.
They roam around the house looking for a cool spot, then they don't move until it's time to
eat, sensible creatures. Our dog, Lucky has found a cool spot in the yard. She is getting old now
and doesn't have the energy she use to. I make sure she has plenty of cool, clean water.
As always cat photos. We had a long box that the cats loved running in and out of!
I determine not to be defeated by the weather. That I will keep to my schedule and not
end up in bed, being miserable. I dream of going out, of visiting places and seeing things,
especially during the holidays. I tell myself that a positive attitude will help because
complaining is not going to change the heat and humidity.
Most years I can get through the first few weeks then end up getting sick.
This year I didn't make it through the first week of the intense heat!
Yesterday, according to a weather app that I have it was 30C but real feel was
up to 36C. I decided that it would be best to use the air conditioner while I was teaching.
But I couldn't find the remote. Mikey and I searched for half an hour but no luck.
I taught for 2 hours, with a big fan on but it didn't help that much.
In the evening I couldn't cool down, got an awful headache and felt sick. When I checked
my temperature it was 38.5C, I had heat stroke. I couldn't believe it, the first week!
So I realized that a positive attitude is not going to change my body and it's reaction
to the heat. But being positive is so much better at dealing with the heat. Moaning is
a waste of time. So now I am trying to find the humor in my situation and how to manage
the rest of the summer.
Our animals seem alright in the heat. The cats don't like to be held, which is understandable.
They roam around the house looking for a cool spot, then they don't move until it's time to
eat, sensible creatures. Our dog, Lucky has found a cool spot in the yard. She is getting old now
and doesn't have the energy she use to. I make sure she has plenty of cool, clean water.
Monday, May 27, 2019
SAD
My mother in law is in a care home. There was no choice, she is bed ridden, unable to get to the
toilet or take a bath by herself. Even standing for a couple of minutes has her in pain.
She has no other family, there are cousins somewhere but I have no idea where or who they are.
She has no money, no savings just a meager pension of about 450 pounds every two months. The only place that had room and could work with the welfare to pay the balance of her care is an older place. Before she was put in there we went and talked to the staff. I asked about activities, chance to interact with the other residents and staff, some kind of rehabilitation, I was reassured that there was such things but I am not seeing that. David and I went yesterday. As we walked to her room, that she shares with other ladies, the smell of urine was overwhelming, the doors to the other rooms are open and the residents are just lying there, neither dead or alive. My mother in law has nothing to look at, I think she is in her bed all day with a blank wall to stare at, no TV, nothing to interact with!
Just a wall with a calendar, for what, to count down the days until she dies. It is really sad and I can't do anything about it! I can't have her here, my health is not good enough and she would totally stress us all out. We can't afford anywhere else and I think her health is so fragile that moving her could be dangerous! She has worked hard her whole life to be dumped in this place. One problem is that the government wants families to care for the elderly at home so there is little funding for care homes.
And just to make me more sad there was an awful knife attack this morning in a city just outside of Tokyo. The news so far states that one elementary school girl has been killed, along with 15 others that have been injured.
toilet or take a bath by herself. Even standing for a couple of minutes has her in pain.
She has no other family, there are cousins somewhere but I have no idea where or who they are.
She has no money, no savings just a meager pension of about 450 pounds every two months. The only place that had room and could work with the welfare to pay the balance of her care is an older place. Before she was put in there we went and talked to the staff. I asked about activities, chance to interact with the other residents and staff, some kind of rehabilitation, I was reassured that there was such things but I am not seeing that. David and I went yesterday. As we walked to her room, that she shares with other ladies, the smell of urine was overwhelming, the doors to the other rooms are open and the residents are just lying there, neither dead or alive. My mother in law has nothing to look at, I think she is in her bed all day with a blank wall to stare at, no TV, nothing to interact with!
Just a wall with a calendar, for what, to count down the days until she dies. It is really sad and I can't do anything about it! I can't have her here, my health is not good enough and she would totally stress us all out. We can't afford anywhere else and I think her health is so fragile that moving her could be dangerous! She has worked hard her whole life to be dumped in this place. One problem is that the government wants families to care for the elderly at home so there is little funding for care homes.
And just to make me more sad there was an awful knife attack this morning in a city just outside of Tokyo. The news so far states that one elementary school girl has been killed, along with 15 others that have been injured.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
WHY
May in the area where I live is usually nice. Not too hot, not too cold.
Average temperature is between 20 to 25C (68 to 77F). It is
just the right weather to go out, see places, get the garden done and
deep clean the house before the extreme heat of summer.
But not this year. Today it was up to 33C (91F) where I live. According to the news some
places were expected to hit 37C (98F). Too hot for this time of year!
Why is it so hot? That is one question I keep asking. I honestly felt I had a few more weeks
before the crazy heat would start. We haven't had the rainy season yet. Actually there
hasn't been a lot of rain these past couple of months. And the rain we have had has been
very strong down pours that doesn't soak the ground. We drove past a field two days after
the last down pour and I was shocked at how dry the soil was, it looked like there had
been no rain for weeks!
Our poor animals are suffering. The dog has dug herself a hole under a tree to cool down. The cats
are stretched out in the corridor. We keep fresh water for them. I am wondering what to do if it gets really hot. I would want the dog inside with the air conditioning but with the cats that might
be difficult!
Average temperature is between 20 to 25C (68 to 77F). It is
just the right weather to go out, see places, get the garden done and
deep clean the house before the extreme heat of summer.
But not this year. Today it was up to 33C (91F) where I live. According to the news some
places were expected to hit 37C (98F). Too hot for this time of year!
Why is it so hot? That is one question I keep asking. I honestly felt I had a few more weeks
before the crazy heat would start. We haven't had the rainy season yet. Actually there
hasn't been a lot of rain these past couple of months. And the rain we have had has been
very strong down pours that doesn't soak the ground. We drove past a field two days after
the last down pour and I was shocked at how dry the soil was, it looked like there had
been no rain for weeks!
Our poor animals are suffering. The dog has dug herself a hole under a tree to cool down. The cats
are stretched out in the corridor. We keep fresh water for them. I am wondering what to do if it gets really hot. I would want the dog inside with the air conditioning but with the cats that might
be difficult!
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