So we’ve both been kind of busy since we came back to Japan. As soon as she got back Kuniko had to prepare for classes and get ready for entrance exams for her school. I was already behind on two assignments for school (and luckily was granted an extension for one of them). Now things have calmed down a little bit, and I can get back to blogging on a more regular basis. So what’s new?
My bruised knee and leg that I brought back as a souvenir from Hue started swelling up once I arrived home. That was a big surprise to me since I didn’t have any problem walking on it (and still don’t). I figured it was a good idea to go visit the doctor, so I went to a local specialist to have it checked out.
The first impression of his office was pretty dramatic. The place was fairly large, and it was full of old people. This doctor had more chiropractic devices than Torquemada and a long line of old people waiting to use them. I had heard that Japan had an old population, and it seemed like most of them were inside having various aching bones and muscles being cared for. I was definitely the only patient under 60. I was seriously startled. Is this the future of Japan? Like most doctor’s offices in Japan it is like a social scene – I would guess that most people come several times a week. Patients would sit on a chair and these strange machines would heat up various parts of their bodies. In other rooms nurses put patients through exercises and stretches, and it was clear that it wasn’t the first time for anybody. Except me.
The doctor was a middle aged guy with a friendly smile, and he was clearly glad that I spoke a little bit of Japanese. After hearing my (embarrassing) story and a quick examination he sent me to the X-ray room, and the results said that my bones were fine. Since I was still bruised up he prescribed some meds to reduce the swelling and asked me to come back in a week.
A week later the bruises were gone but the swelling was still there. We decided to go ahead and drain the fluid out of the swelling and the result was a much smaller knee. It only swelled up a little bit more after that, and so the approach is for me to drop by now and then to drain it out and keep it rested as much as possible. Since it still feels strong I’m bummed that I can’t get on the Wii Fit and do exercises – I’m limiting myself to yoga these days.
Actually the doctor and I have become pretty friendly – today he and I chatted for a long time about learning languages while the nurse waited (somewhat uncomfortably) in the corner, nodding the whole time. I wondered what the other patients would have thought about waiting so long while he and I chit-chatted away, but I guess that’s not my problem. Today was the third time I have been, and each time (thanks to government health care) it costs about 500 yen (about $5).
Well, that’s about it for now. More later!
