Testicular Cancer in Japan

[thedster]

Hello from Tokyo

Hi there Mike
I just wrote a big email and hit the wrong key on my keyboard and lost it al!

Firstly hajimema****e. Your trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima sounds great. Do let me know when you come. I live in Tokyo but stay regularly at a place called Shimoda which is on the trip down and has some of the best beaches in Japan.

I spent along time down there recovering from my chemo.

Oh yeah, I know okonomiyaki. It fantastic, as is most of the food here!

I hope your rplnd went well and that you are strong now.

Do let me know when you are here!
david

[Ampaman]

Iraishaimase !!!

Hey THEDSTER Hajimema****e- ! we got your back if you need translation or questions feel free, my wife is originally from Nagano. I was recently diagnosed too TC, just had rplnd. I can't wait to hit JAPAN and climb Mt. FUJI and bike from TOKYO to HIROSHIMA soon, probably we can meet up! (Hey you know that food HIROSHIMA
OKONOMIYAKI aka Japanese pizza ! they are the best!) my wife grandad -ojichan- makes them really good !
Okonomiyaki usually includes chopped cabbage and various toppings like thinly sliced pork, red ginger, yakisoba noodles, tenkasu (tempura crumbs), corn, green onion, squid, shrimp, dried bonito flakes, bean sprouts, and more.
YOSH !!Livestrong ! Dozo yuroshku- Mike desu

[thedster]

Thank you

Maria
Thank you for you kind message. Its inspired me to keep in contact with this group and add were I can to the multiple questions that come up. I think the one thing after we have been though it is all the questions that you have when you start.

I hope I can give some insight to others who are diagnosed outside there home country, and all of us as well.

Its the lack of certainty that affects us all, and I now want to return some of the knowledge I picked up from it all.

l
d

[Mom]

Thanks for posting your story. You have a lot to offer so don't go away. You must have been in one scarey spot for a while. I can't help but feel that doctors are doctors, most are good but some are great and the reason they become doctors is to help people like you. Communication is the key and sometimes thats a problem even when everyone is speaking English! Glad you are doing so well. Dianne

[MRMRSU]

Hi thedster: First, let me congratulate you on your recovery and your positive spirit with what you went through. That in itself will do wonders to people who visit this forum for support. Secondly, it's difficult enough to comprehend the whirlwind of information - even in your own native tongue, so you have to be commended for getting through what must have been a scary time with the language barrier. Your experience should lend great support to others facing a similar situation. I've never been to Japan...it looks like an amazing country and I'm glad they were able to successfully treat you. Just wanted to give you a shout-out!

[thedster]

All
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.