I was released from the hospital yesterday morning.
Man - I was terrified to spend two days in the hospital in Japan by myself! What I haven’t said yet, is unlike Canada, Mark was not permitted to be with me. Because of Covid protocols, you can only visit once a week for fifteen minutes between 2:30 and 4pm on any given day. As my surgery was in the afternoon, there was no opportunity for a visit.
I was most distressed by this fact. Those of you who know me well, know that I have a very active imagination! All sorts of scenarios went through my head leading up to this surgery. And - If you do indeed know me you also know that I have had multiple surgeries in my adult life, but never without my hubby by my side before the surgery and of course as soon as I woke up.
In the rearview mirror I can now say that it was okay. I managed okay. Everyone was incredibly kind and respectful. Consider that I live in their country and I suck at the language. I was not treated poorly because of this. At all.
When the time came - right on time, by the way - I walked to the elevator and down to the surgical floor with my nurse. My nurse. Each of the 4 of us in my room had our own nurse. This would be unheard of in Canada! We awkwardly chatted in broken English and Japanese on the way but her message was clear: Do your best!! I am rooting for you…
When I arrived at the surgery I had to say my name. The nurses had a flip chart with a series of instructions in English for me to read. Obviously I was not their first foreign patient. I assume that for English patients with better Japanese than mine these cards would still be used. I expect medical terms would not be commonly known.
Once in the OR, I recognized my anesthetist and one of the doctors. When I was instructed to lay down on the table I created a bit of drama! Even in Canada, OR tables are narrow - I think they thought I would slide off the other side! Instructions were given to me in English. But like everything in Japan, things proceed slowly and meticulously. For me - I’m thinking - just put me under already and let’s get this over with! I had too much time to think and the tears did start to slide out of the corners of my eyes. I could hear my heartbeat and I was annoyed that it was becoming more rapid - I expected more of myself! One kind nurse who didn’t speak English came to my side and put her hand on my arm…
Also - there was no counting backwards like in Canada - I actually thought of practicing in Japanese - LOL! Obviously I can count in Japanese but backwards?
I did get my private room after the surgery. I cannot stress enough how peaceful my hospital experience was compared to Canada. Everything was gentle and quiet so as to not disturb the patient at all costs. The first night - in the room of 4 - the nurses entered many times - with flashlights and quiet whispers. I can also say that my nurse did check on me at least 3 times during the night - but ever so quietly… I slept so well - both nights.
An afternoon surgery in Canada often means dehydration and veins tough to find for an eventual IV. Because I stayed the night before? When I had to quit having fluids, my IV was started - no dehydration and veins that were easy to find! Check out the bruises from my 24 hour IV!!
So Canada has FREE health care and I believe it is SO important!! But - in Canada - I would probably still be waiting for my initial consult with a dermatologist! After being released yesterday it was time to go to the cashier! Paperwork (including $65 for private room for one night) was handed in. And we waited to be called. In Japan, people pay 30% of medical costs out of pocket. In Canada that would be crazy expensive!!
In Japan, 2 nights in hospital (private room one night), surgery and all the trimmings cost us $950 Canadian - which we put on our credit card! There are also programs in place for people who have less financial wherewithal to make payments without interest. CRAZY!!!
So - without further ado - here are the results!!
Pretty gruesome for sure!!
But - because the temporary surface is artificial, I can’t really feel it! So it looks WAY worse than it is! And in a week? Perhaps a “comb over” is possible? Ha Ha! I will see my doctors for a follow up in two weeks and cross my fingers that there are NO malignant cells on the margins. I am hoping that I can schedule my skin graft prior to my trip to Canada…
Stay Tuned…. Feeling lucky…
FUCK CANCER!
コメント