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Testicular Cancer in Japan
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Firstly I realise that this may not be the totally correct place for this post, however the message is to those in first stages.
9 months ago I was diagnosed with TC whilse living in Japan. That may not sound much but I'm a New Zealander who tranfered from the UK so are used to different health systems.
Also I only have a very basic grasp of the Japanese Language so it was all a big change. I wont' go into the whole diagnosis/treatment as its all standard stuff and others have covered it well enough before.
After I was diagnosed I sought out a community of people who had TC and found this group. I've not been in touch with it for months now as my fight was mine and the circumstances were rather odd.
Now that I've had a positive outcome on my blood tumour markers I can come up for air. And there is something I can really add to this forum.
I am a foreigner (gaigin) and was diagnosed with TC here in Japan. It was quite something to have a condition like that and also not be able to communicate easily.
I was intially diagnosed at the Roppongi Hills Clinic and under the specialist there transfered to the Jikei University Hospital. I didn't know at the time but its one of the premier hospitals in Tokyo/Japan, and is where the Imperial Family go for health treatment.
They were fantastic to me. They are listed here as an 'can speak english hosptal', so by default they weill speak in Japanese to you, then switch when you don't understand. An odd thing to say is that is does improve your Japanese!
However the real reason I wanted to write this is to other men who may find themselves in my situation of have TC in Japan and not be a fluent Japanese speaker. My answer is don't worry to much. If you principle docter speaks english you will be fine. Nearly all of them do speak english to some degree and some just want to practice on you.
My end comment is that regardless of language you will get the very very best care available. I'm now 4 months after my chemo therapy and they have me in every month to check I'm fine!
And yes! I am fine. Last blood result was that the 9 month battle was worth it and I'm on the up.
If any of you are facing this challenge in Japan please contact me and I would like to support.
Firstly I realise that this may not be the totally correct place for this post, however the message is to those in first stages.
9 months ago I was diagnosed with TC whilse living in Japan. That may not sound much but I'm a New Zealander who tranfered from the UK so are used to different health systems.
Also I only have a very basic grasp of the Japanese Language so it was all a big change. I wont' go into the whole diagnosis/treatment as its all standard stuff and others have covered it well enough before.
After I was diagnosed I sought out a community of people who had TC and found this group. I've not been in touch with it for months now as my fight was mine and the circumstances were rather odd.
Now that I've had a positive outcome on my blood tumour markers I can come up for air. And there is something I can really add to this forum.
I am a foreigner (gaigin) and was diagnosed with TC here in Japan. It was quite something to have a condition like that and also not be able to communicate easily.
I was intially diagnosed at the Roppongi Hills Clinic and under the specialist there transfered to the Jikei University Hospital. I didn't know at the time but its one of the premier hospitals in Tokyo/Japan, and is where the Imperial Family go for health treatment.
They were fantastic to me. They are listed here as an 'can speak english hosptal', so by default they weill speak in Japanese to you, then switch when you don't understand. An odd thing to say is that is does improve your Japanese!
However the real reason I wanted to write this is to other men who may find themselves in my situation of have TC in Japan and not be a fluent Japanese speaker. My answer is don't worry to much. If you principle docter speaks english you will be fine. Nearly all of them do speak english to some degree and some just want to practice on you.
My end comment is that regardless of language you will get the very very best care available. I'm now 4 months after my chemo therapy and they have me in every month to check I'm fine!
And yes! I am fine. Last blood result was that the 9 month battle was worth it and I'm on the up.
If any of you are facing this challenge in Japan please contact me and I would like to support.
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