Japanese Surgeon's Daily Life

Yellow Sand and China

　　The cherry blossom front reached my hometown and they are just about to bloom. People are prepared to go out for boisterous parties under the cherry trees, whereas some yellow sand is coming to Japan from China. The mountains in the distance look blurred. Some people with respiratory problems have to wear a facemask and glasses. Those people had better avoid parties outside exposed to the yellow sand. Almost all of the things coming from China are a nuisance.
　　China has been prohibiting the import of marine products from Japan on the grounds of the high tritium of the treated water from Fukushima, but according to the data issued the other day, the amount of tritium from normally operating atomic power plants in China far outstrips that of the after-disaster Fukushima plant. China's nothing but a nuisance.

 

Jet Lag

　　Jet lag is widely accepted as a nuisance, but it wasn't on this trip. We saw a need to keep being suffered from jet lag for 2 days. The start time of the Honolulu Marathon was 5 a.m., so we had to get up before 3 a.m. on the day of the marathon. Luckily for us, the jet lag helped us get up at such an early hour. All of us went to bed around 9 p.m. last night and got up at about 3 a.m. It was because of the jet jag, and four of us, who would join the marathon, had to keep this condition. I would usually continue to stay in bed to recover from jet lag even if I couldn't sleep, but not on this trip.
　　After breakfast, we left for Waikiki beach to watch a fun run.

　時差ぼけは厄介な物というのが通説だが、今回は違う。我々は時差ぼけを２日間は維持する必要があった。ホノルルマラソンは５時スタートなので、３時頃には起床して準備が必要なのだ。なので、９時頃にはマラソン組は就寝し、９日土曜日も３時に起床した。何の苦労もなく自然に目が覚めた。今日も目一杯遊ぶ！腹ごしらえをして午前５時過ぎ、出発。

Awful Pack Of Cigarettes

　　On the way back to my hotel, I felt thirsty and dropped in at a convenience store to get something to drink. A customer who was waiting before me asked something to the store staff member. Then, the staff member turned around and opened a hanging break-front cupboard behind him. With an instant glance, I understood that the contents of the cupboard were impressive packs of cigarettes. The awful pictures on the packs caught my eye and I'd like to have taken a close look at them, but its door was closed after taking some packs out. This is my speculation, but the doors of the cupboards might have been protection from the sight of younger generations. At the same time, I wanted one because of the health guidance for my patients. The following picture shows two packs of different cigarettes. The reminders that cigarettes are incriminated as the major cause of lung cancer are read on the packs of Japanese cigarettes too, but they are very gentle being different from those of the U.K.'s. Now, I use these packs as instructional goods.

(Vocabulary)
hanging cupboard つり戸棚
break-front 両開きの戸棚
cupboard doors 戸棚の扉
instructional (教材などが) 指導用の

喉が渇いて寄ったコンビニで煙草が販売されていることを知った。店員の後ろにある扉付きの棚にあった。店員は客の求めにより煙草を取り出しすぐに閉めた。青少年の視線に触れないようにしているのだろう。日本も真似たい行動だ。その煙草は今、禁煙指導のため、手元にある。

Continued from the previous entry:

　　I recalled the times of timber shortage after World War II. The indiscriminate carpet bombing of the U.S. deprived commoners of their houses, which ended up being a shortage of timber for the construction of houses. People who had a trying time at that time thankfully planted lots of Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress for their descendants.
　　However, since a few decades ago, cheap timber from Canada or the U.S.A. has been overshadowing the Japanese forestry industry and consequently the considerably vast forest in Japan is left maintenance-free. As a matter of fact, the pollen from those trees is now a social issue. Too much cedar and cypress forest became a root of modern illness.
　　Lots of people in Japan wear a mask to prevent pollen from invading from February to May. When an accident occurred in Fukushima Daiichi Atomic Power Plant in March 2011, I laughed at German journalists, who were reporting that most Japanese wore a mask to avoid nuclear effects. Some people might do as they said, but most people did it due to pollen allergy. The reporting was totally inaccurate, but this sort of thing often happens. I learnt the risk of swallowing stories without questioning.

(Vocabulary)
forestry 林学, 営林, 林業
As a matter of fact 実を言うと
swallow ; to accept without questioning 鵜呑みにする

Slipped Disk

　　I got my waist injured when I sneezed. I really became conscious of my age. Luckily the symptom is getting better on medication. It's my first experience and I now know the agony of patients. In that sense, this was a good lesson. During the pandemic, I was too lazy to do some exercise. I thought it was crazy to jog with a mask on, but it might be my excuse to escape from exercise. I realized that physical strength is a must to enjoy a happy life.

 

New Fiscal Year

　　A new fiscal year started. It starts from April and ends in March in Japan. In this season, the cherry blossoms front moves up across Japan from south to north. All the country is enveloped by brilliant scenes. Above all, as the pandemic eases this year, people look happy and loads of young men start their career. About 9000 people seem to be newly licensed to work as physicians. I nostalgically remember the time when I got into the medical field.
　　While I have been working in the medical field for about 40 years, I saw a huge number of patients. Some of them didn't accept the reality of aging. They clung to past glory and buried their head in the sand. I think it's like competing with the setting sun. I'd like to sink with the sun and enjoy the sunset.
　　Just to be sure, I'm not going to die soon. (grin)

(Vocabulary)
cling しがみつく, 握り［抱き］締める
cling to sb/sth ＜…＞にしがみつく

 

Battery-Assisted Folding Bicycle

　　I bought a folding bicycle equipped with a battery assistance system. I used to own a battery-assisted one and I understood how helpful the assistance was. That bicycle was taken by my daughter when she got married and went out from my house. The bicycle was designed for ordinary housewives and was very handy.
　　I chose a folding type of bicycle this time, because of its portability. I can load it in my car and take it wherever I want. To secure its portability, the size of tires are forfeited. Therefore, it's not good for a long ride, but it's very useful to ride in a crowded or busy street in the urban district.
　　I visited Shimanto City on business today and carried my new bicycle with me. The following pictures were shot on a small hill where a comfortable park was located and there were some monuments of historic persons of this city's birth. With conventional bicycles, I wouldn't feel like climbing up the hill, but with this battery-assisted one, I didn't feel any reluctance. This bicycle would be useful for my well-being physically and mentally.

　

Age Tells

　　As the pandemic eased, I went downtown with my friends. The occasional get-together is delightful, but an accident occurred in my house. When I tried to take my shoes off rubbing both heels together while standing at the door, I failed to swiftly take them off. Leaning forward on the floor with my feet set on the entrance, I can take my shoes off quickly if sober, but I was drunk at that time. My upper body proceeded forward as usual, but my lower part didn't. I pitched forward. I was in a hurry to make a beeline for the toilet. If I had only sat down on the floor to untie the laces. I heavily hit my right hand. How long will it take to recover? I have difficulties even in washing my face, zipping up my pants and writing. Taking my age into consideration, it will take at least one month. So sad.

(Vocabulary)
pitch forward つんのめる
untie 〈結んだ物など〉 をほどく
Peter untied his shoelaces. ピーターは靴ひもをほどいた．

 

A Cloven Foot

　　This word is used as a derogatory term for Japanese in Korea. The mainstream media and sophisticated people in South Korea don't use this word any more, but this derogatory term is often used in the North. Anyway, this term seems to be derived from the Japanese culture of using "Geta" or "Setta", a Japanese style of clog, which has a cord to fix the foot. This cord runs between the big toe and the second toe. This means, the toe is divided into two parts; a big toe and others. Yes, it's the cloven foot.
　　One thing, the use of "Geta" seems to be good for the health. When you put the "Geta" on, you will come to walk in a proper posture heedlessly applying your weight on both big toes. You'd not suffer from ingrown toe nails by this. Your feet will get dry and this leads to protection from athlete's foot. Most chefs of Japanese traditional cuisine put "Geta" on willingly.
　　Take a look at the following picture. It shows my new walking shoes. It looks like rubber-soled socks which are used by construction workers and farmers. I had to prepare special socks for the shoes, but the shoes are really good.

(Vocabulary)
cleave
1 [他](文) (工具で) 〈材木・岩石など〉 を裂く, 割る
2 [他](フォーマル) 〈社会など〉 を分裂させる, 引き裂く
3 [他](文) 〈水・空気など〉 を切って進む
4 [自] 裂ける, 割れる
[動] (cleaved または clove /klouv/ または cleft /kleft/cleaved または cloven /klóuven/ または cleft)
derogatory term 差別用語
derogatory 〈言葉・人などが〉 侮辱的な, けなすような, 軽蔑(けいべつ)的な
clog /klɑg || klɔg/ [名] 《[C]通例複数形で》 クロッグ (足の甲の部分が革で覆われた木製サンダル)
rubber‐soled socks 地下足袋
apply 体重をかける
in proper posture 正しい姿勢で

First Aid Box

　　There was a small box at a corner in the gondola as shown below. Taking a close look, it was a first aid kit, in which a few dozen oxygen canisters were set. If the ropeway system doesn't work properly due to some sort of accident and the passengers got stranded in limbo, and additionally, the volcanic activities got dangerously harsh, what would become of the passengers? This kit would be prepared assuming such an awful situation. Looking down from the gondola, there were several people working to monitor the volcanic activities. I came away with the idea that the authorities are paying elaborate attention to both the tourism industry and the tourists' security.

Preliminary Consultation for Vaccination

　　The Government urges citizens to get vaccinated as soon as possible, but lots of people are reluctant to get vaccinated. I was asked to attend a mass vaccination event today taking on the preliminary consultation. My task is to judge if recipients have something allergic or harmful to the vaccine and make the final decision for his/her vaccination. According to today's news, the government are considering the 4th vaccination. I wonder how many times we have to receive the injection and when I will be able to make a trip freely.

 

The 3rd Vaccination

　　Tomorrow is the day when I have to receive the 3rd shot of vaccination against COVID-19. The previous two shots' side effects weren't so severe and I felt only a little muscle pains and general fatigue. However, those of the 3rd shot seem to be harder than before. The vaccines which I took were COMIRNATY(by pfizer) as the 1st and 2nd vaccines, but I chose Spikevax (by Moderna) this time. This combination is said to enhance the antibody titer, but I just want to know how severe the side effects of Spikevax are. I took two day-offs in advance in case of the appearance of severe side effects.

 

Belated Mass Vaccination

　　I attended the mass vaccination today. The applicants were from hospitality industries of my prefecture. Senior citizens and people with chronic diseases or high risks for infection are prioritized in the official mass vaccination by the Government, so the young generation have been put off.
　　The president of the industry group is my friend from junior high school, and he was meaning to take various steps for recovery from the pandemic in the industries, and one of the steps was the vaccination. That's why this mass vaccination was planned and I was asked to check every applicant's condition if they were all right to get vaccinated, or not. Staffs of accommodations, restaurants, actors and actresses from show businesses, , , people who were tasked with many roles in the hospitality industries got together.
　　After the perfect preparation of the vaccination, however, it was postponed. Can you guess the cause? It was because the contamination of the vaccine, Moderna, was reported. Consequently, a major part of our stocks of Moderna which were seemingly possible to be contaminated judging from its Lot number were collected. I was afraid if the foreign body was something biological, but it was a micro piece of stainless steel which had been apparently peeled off from the production machine. Anyway, the mass vaccination had to be postponed and it finally started today.

(Vocabulary)
put sth off ～を先延ばしにする

 

Lunch Break During the Health Check Session

　　The annual medical check of the employees is regulated to be compulsory for every business unit by law. If something wrong was found in the tests, the employee will be sent to a clinic. I had been working in the clinic side for a long time until last year, but now I'm in the medical check side and I deal with people who sometimes strongly declare that they don't need any medication.
　　If they don't feel any health problem subjectively, they don't comply with my opinion often. I soothe them to consult a doctor at that time. It requires much effort, but my job is rewarding.
　　The following picture shows my table at lunch time during the session. My lunch was a sweetened bun and a canned cafe au lait over reading a book through my kindle.

Mass Vaccination

　　The mass vaccination had already started in Japan. The health care workers, including me, were given a shot on a priority basis. Next, the elderly who wanted to get vaccinated and people with chronic diseases have been given the shot. Then ordinary people began to receive the vaccination.
　　However, there's a shortage of doctors, who perform the preliminary examination of applicants. I was asked to attend the vaccination meeting planned by the nearby municipality. Arriving at the designated place, there were about 10 doctors and 30 to 40 paramedical staff members along with clerical staff.
　　In addition, there must have been some more staff behind the scene who prepare the vaccines, which was frozen. The vaccine was from Pfizer and it was preserved frozen. It should be thawed before use and should be set in syringes. Paramedical staff members would be ready behind the partition wall. I'd like to join the vaccination projects when I have time.

(Vocabulary)
on a priority basis　優先的に
thaw [他] (thaw something ↔ out とも) 〈冷凍食品〉 を解凍する

Plague 2020

　　I read a nonfiction book about the pandemic of the Wuhan virus which had been published just a year ago. I've read five or six nonfiction books by the same journalist before and I believe in his ability of collecting accurate information. The process from the sparse appearance of the virus in Wuhan to June in 2020 was documented precisely and I learned much from the book.
　　Turning back all the history from the bird's view, I noticed several points which I didn't understand in real time. When Wuhan was locked out, the Japanese Government didn't mind the issue. The prevalence of the virus was underestimated in Japan. What who said then is documented in the book. I learned that the Japanese health and labor ministry was unable to control the risk.

(Vocabulary)
sparse まばらな, 少ない, 〈髪が〉 薄い
precisely 正確に, ちょうど

Bed, Toilet, Comparison

　　Three weeks have passed since I began using my bed. I should have used it much earlier. My bed made by Nihon Bed is very comfortable and contributes to my health.
　　Japan's bedding is not bad, but the western bed is much better especially for older people. Comparing both, the bed will be declared the winner. By the way, how about toilets?
　　When I saw the western style toilet for the first time more than 50 years ago at my uncle's house, I was surprised at its curious shape, but now I prefer the western one. I can't detect any merit for the Japanese style toilet now. The western style can be the winner in terms of the toilet.
　　However, once the Japanese accepted the western style toilet, its progress has been remarkable. When you open the door of the compartment, the toilet senses your presence and opens its cover for you. After the business, it cleans around the anus and dries up. Any bad smell is automatically eliminated from the compartment. You might say that I'm lying, but it's true. If you come to Japan, I advise you to use the toilet just after arriving at the airport, I assure you that you'll be astonished by its function.

(Vocabulary)
be declared the winner 軍配が上がる

My Bed 3

　　My bed was delivered yesterday. I tried to lie on the various beds in the furniture store the other day and I selected this, a little hard one with a simple frame. The frame hasn't drawers and there is a space under the bed. The reason why I chose this frame was for the robotic cleaner, Roomba, to work smoothly. As I expected, the Roomba came to move smoothly in my room.
　　The hardness of the mattress was a nice fit for me. I was able to get a good sleep last night. It was very easy to get up from the bed. It would be helpful when I get older to avoid accidents from orthostatic hypotension.
　　However, I have one thing to solve. I wonder where I can put my things around my bed. I can buy bedside tables, but I would sometimes drop my things from the table being half asleep, but anyway, I should have had my bed much earlier.

(Vocabulary)
being half asleep 寝ぼけて

Vaccination Leave

　　I got a vaccination yesterday. I have a general fatigue today. I'm not febrile, but I feel weary anyway. I have a regular appetite luckily and finished breakfast as usual. Then I began reading "Into the Wild", but stopped due to listlessness. I've spent meaningless hours on the sofa until noon. I did almost nothing, but I got hungry. I watched two movies on Netflix in the afternoon over a light snack. I don't like spending time like these, but I had no other way to kill time. Today was the day of no advancement.

(Vocabulary)
listless (疲れて) やる気のない, 無気力な
meaningless 意味のない, 無益な

Care of My Parents

　　Today was taken for the care of my parents.
　　My mother has a serious dementia and is receiving good care in a nursing facility. A physician regularly visits the facility and takes care of inhabitants. As my mother broke her eyeglasses accidentally the other day, my brother and I took her to an eye doctor for the examination and the prescription of the eyeglasses. What she talks about was ambiguous and it was not easy to check her eyesight, but finally I got the prescription of her eyeglasses.
　　Then we took her to another facility in which my father is admitted. He is bedridden, but his cognitive ability is still maintained. Due to the pandemic, they weren't allowed to see each other face to face and their meeting was via iPad. Their meeting was after an interval of more than 6 months. To our grief, my mother didn't remember my father. Her symptom is called "mottled dementia". "Mottled" means, two phases of the normal and impaired cognition vary from time to time. The moment when she saw her husband would be in the impaired cognition phase. Her attitude would disappoint my father. My brother and I thought that it was our fault to take her to my father's facility.
　　After I sent her to her nursery home, I dropped in at my regular optician and asked to make her glasses from the prescription.

(Vocabulary)
mottled dementia まだら痴呆