The Battle Over Electronic Devices
Saturday, May 13th: Spouse (H) visited unexpectedly to drop off items.
13:29 (H) Is there anything you're having trouble with?
13:30 (Me) When do you think you can bring shampoo?
13:31 (H) I'll bring it Monday evening. Do you want any SnowMan magazines or anything?
13:32 (Me) I'm fine. What I'm having trouble with is not being able to see my company phone and iPad.
13:33 (H) Let's forget about work for now!
13:34 (Me) I'll forget it once I get things settled, but I can't leave it like this. <Typo for as it is>
13:44 (H)Your supervisor said not to worry and to focus on your treatment. First of all, staying absolutely still until the surgery to set the bone is very important for you, your family, and your colleagues.
15:02 (Me) I know that, but
15:03 (H) Which shampoo is good? Can I drop it off on the weekend? Will they accept it if I bring it now? You want to wash your hair soon, right? I'm bringing it now, is there anything else you need?
15:13 (Me) If you're coming, please bring my company phone and iPad too
15:15 (H) Your company phone isn't working, and I can't bring company-related things.
15:17 (Me) It's cold, so a cardigan. A black knit one.
15:25 (Me) Please bring the shampoo.
15:26 (H) Got it. I'll bring the shampoo, conditioner, and cardigan.
15:27 (Me) Please bring the iPad too.
15:27 (H) No iPad.
15:27 (Me) I have a headache from the stress.
15:28 (H) If you get the nurse to contact me and it's okay. Why do you need it? You shouldn't be working.
*Consulted with the nurse to contact my spouse
15:37 (H) I just got permission from the nurse, so I'm bringing the iPad.
*My spouse visited while I was in rehab. Actually, due to the current situation, visits are generally limited to once a week, so
they left the items and went home without visiting.17:05 (Me) Thanks, I received it.
18:01 (H) Did getting the iPad reduce your stress? 🙂
18:29 (Me) A lot.
*I don't remember my spouse telling my supervisor about my condition, and it seems my anxiety about having to contact the company grew as I regained consciousness.
The next day, the 14th (Sun): Report from spouse to daughter, and another visit today.
13:25 (H) Yesterday, I delivered the cardigan, shampoo, and company iPad to the hospital.
13:26 (D) Yeah, thanks.
13:28 (H) When I said no to the iPad, it seemed to make her restless from the stress, and moving around violently is more dangerous... so I consulted with the nurse and decided to give it to her. She's much calmer now. Also, she said she wanted underwear, but the nurse explained it wasn't necessary yet.
13:36 (D) I see. Doesn't she need toner or anything?
13:40 (H) It seems she really enjoyed having her hair washed for the first time the day before yesterday, so she wanted me to bring shampoo. Oh right,
rehab evaluation started on the 11th, and she sometimes walks without a wheelchair with the nurse's support. If there are no issues, I think she'll move to a 4-person room in the general ward next week.13:43 (D) That's good, that's fast. Glad to hear things are going smoothly.
13:46 (H) But,
doesn't she remember that you started a job and aren't in Tokyo for training?13:48 (D) Seems like it. Even if I tell her I'm not in Tokyo, she doesn't react to that.
13:49 (H) I thought so... Yesterday she asked who was going to bring the shampoo. When I hear these incorrect statements, should I correct them or just go along with it? I'm not sure. I should probably consult the hospital.
13:55 (D) I correct her sometimes, but if she still doesn't seem to understand, I just go along with it. Also, I've already told J-chan about the voice she's hearing. Anyway, even if you correct her, she ignores it, so doesn't it not matter?
13:58 (H) I wonder if it's important not to overstimulate her brain.
15:42 (H) The nurse just contacted me saying she needs a box of tissues and cash, so I'm going back to the hospital. I want to bring her toner and stuff, but do you know which one? She told me 'Three' and 'brown Muji'. Is this it?
16:32 (D) Ah, I just read it. That's the one.
16:33 (H) Thanks. I decided to leave 5,000 yen in cash for purchasing consumables.
*My spouse visited just to drop off items and cash again today, and went home without visiting..
Ten days after the craniotomy, it seems I was able to communicate with my spouse and daughter little by little, thanks in part to flick input and predictive text on my iPhone.
Reading it back now, there are moments in the conversation where I think, 'Huh? That word? Why?'...
Even though they felt confused, they didn't waver, and they supported me so well by working together... I truly have nothing but gratitude.