We are just human beings. We have plans, things to do, priorities, but somehow along the way mishaps occur. Troubles, pains, difficulties pay a visit.
Aji was struggling with his final exams, papers, take-home-tests, thesis deadline. Like the Japanese say: "Important things come at the same time" meaning when you have important things to do, something unexpected take place. Who's on earth ever expected any disease like chicken pox?
Sunday morning Feb 12, Ibu noticed there are some blisters on her face-- thinking that it was somekind of allergic reactions, we postponed going to the hospital until Monday morning as ibu had an appointment to see Shigeta Sensei, the obsgyn. Sunday evening, ibu had a terrible fever, could not sleep, sore throat got worse.
Monday morning Feb 13, the more blisters popped up --not only on the face now, but all over ibu's body. With the fever, ibu dragged herself to go to the Shimin Byoin (Yokohama Municipal Hospital) by bus and 10 minute walk. Arriving at the hospital, Ibu tried to ask for assistance where to go first--dermatologist or obsgyn to a non- English speaking senior citizen volunteer, who turned out not understand ibu's question but showed ibu the way to the obsygn instead. The English speaking nurse at the obsgyn was not on duty, so that only two midwives tried to get ibu's message in English and desperate body language across . The clinic was not open, but they were willing to let Ibu lie down on one of the cubicle, check ibu's blood pressure, temperature, and immediately called the doctor. The doctor rushed in, checked the fetus' heartbeat and assigned one of the nurse to take ibu to the Infectious Disease Clinic.
At the Infectious Disease Clinic, the nurse was prepared and well-informed about Ibu's condition. Ibu could lie down comfortably on the clean, tidy bed while waiting for the doctor. The nurse checked ibu's temperature again and let ibu have a rest. The doctor came and she spoke English (what a great relief) and explained that she should consult the obsgyn about what medicine should be given with the course of pregnancy. The good thing was, the two doctors had discussions over the phone and decided on the medicine given, then the pharmacy was contacted and the nurse got the medicine ready so that ibu did not have to roam around the hospital . The payment event was delayed until next week . Ibu just could go home right away by a taxi as ibu was too weak to walk again to the bus stop and wait for the bus. Moreover the doctor said that chicken pox is so contagious that the one suffering from it should not move around and jeopardize others' health.
At home, Akira and Wisnu should be kept away from ibu. Wisnu was vaccinated so that he had 90% immunity toward the virus. Unfortunately Akira is too young to be vaccinated and he had to be away from ibu until the incubation period was over ---two weeks. Aji also had to maintain his stamina as he was facing his exams, at the same time juggling with the kids, doing the housechores and taking care of ibu.
Tuesday, Feb 14, the deadline for thesis submission. Aji had to go to campus and ibu tried to cope with the kids and housechores without standing the fact that the fever got worse and the pain started to be unbearable. The peak was when Wisnu felt ignored and he started to bang Akira's head to the wooden wall and pushed him really hard that Akira fell to the ground helplessly. Things just did not work out no matter what ibu tried to do or say , Wisnu became more violent. This is it. When aji came, ibu was sitting on the floor holding Akira with all tears, feeling helpless, desperate, exhausted, burn out and the worse thing was the headache and fever was really putting her down. Then ibu asked the possibility of putting Wisnu at the Hoikuen just for the next two days until aji's exam was over. Aji would have to cram with the books and someone just had to attend to Wisnu and for the time like this ibu just could not take everything.
Wednesday, Feb 15, it started to hurt to talk even to swallow her saliva as the blisters spread out to the throat, gums, tongue. Aji made a call to Aunty Niken but no one picked up the phone. Then, aji called Aunty Hiroko to ask for information about Hoikuen from the Ward office. Aunty Hiroko managed to contact one of the Hoikuen's Principle but unfortunately the Hoikuen was too full to accept Wisnu even only for a couple of days. Then Aji tried to call aunty Suzie to ask whether the church near YNU had volunteer or any day care center to take care of Wisnu. All these efforts seemed fruitless. Ibu never had any baby blues but this seemed to be even worse than what-so-called desperate.
In the afternoon, surprisingly Aunty Hiroko and Uncle Keisuke came and brought so much food: Inarizushi, oysters with nira, cabbage and clam soup, instant porridge, snacks.
They cooked for us and walked 1 km to our apato to deliver the food. We were speechless, astonished and grateful for their sincerity. Ibu tried to eat those food eventhough the tears fell down when the food passed through her throat as it was so painful to swallow-- tears of pain but happiness for having such good friends.Thursday, Feb 16 Aji had the exam on economic Growth Analysis at 1. Ibu emotionally felt better and tried to balance attention between Akira and Wisnu to reduce Wisnu's aggressive behavior while aji was away. Wisnu seemed to understand that ibu and aji were putting high hope on him to cooperate at least for this day. The good thing was there was a plenty of food so that ibu did not have to cook. Aji could help wash the dishes after the exam, feed Akira, change Akira's diaper, and many more.
Friday, Feb 17, at 11.30 Aunty Chie and Ide Sensei --aji's thesis advisor came to visit and bring some food: macaroni salad, sauteed ekinoki mushroom and aburage, omelet, snacks. Again, we were saved for the day. They were not afraid of being infected by the virus but came down to our apato despite their tight schedule.
At around 5 pm, Wisnu was throwing all the plates, spoon to the floor since ibu made him stop palying with the water. Surprisingly, the bell rang but we did not expect anyone. Wisnu ran to the door and bursted into laughter to find out who was coming. It turned out that Uncle Keisuke came to bring more food: pumpkin soup and porridge. He cooked for us eventhough he himself was crammed with his exam. He even insisted on washing the dishes and asked ibu to rest. Gee... Wisnu was very happy to see Keisuke and had good time playing with him for some time.
Saturday, Feb 18 we survived with the food from Aunty Chie as well as Uncle Keisuke. Ibu started to move around the house doing the housechores as the fever was gone. For those who had ever got chicken pox before must have understood how itchy it was when it comes to the process of recovery. The urge to scratch really almost drove ibu crazy!
Aji was trying to finish his paper as the deadline would be on Monday plus the homework to be submitted on the same day.
Sunday, Feb 19 at 11.30 Aunty Chie came again to bring food: rice, fried chicken strips, potato chips, snacks plus banana. Wisnu finished all the potato chips and half portion of the chicken strips. We had good lunch!
At 6, Aunty Hiroko and Uncle Keisuke came and brought food (again); Inarizushi, Tai fish in shoyu sauce, Tofu with peas, instant porridge. They stayed for a couple hours as ibu could keep them company.
Monday, Feb 20, at 9.00 Aunty Chie came to pick Ibu up to go to the doctor for a check up. The doctor said that it is safe now for ibu to go out and meet people( adult) but Akira still has to wait for another week until the incubation period is over. We just could hope things will turn out all right.
Chicken pox came without any warning --when aji badly need time and concentration to study and accomplish all the assignment. Somehow,we realize the prayers and blessing from our parents which also save us and keep us strong here. We are lucky that we are at the good care of God and there were friends coming around and lend a hand.
The clouds really have fine silver lining. Now that the clouds are clearing away, but we cherish and appreciate for all the things all of you have done for us. When family were so far away, when the pain seemed to be unbearable, it turned out that we are never alone here. .
