When you have a stomachache, and the pain continues, be careful. You had better not endure in your bed. Go to see the doctor as soon as possible. Well, my story happened when I was in my early twenties.
* Working at a British shipping company:
Just after I finished college, I was working at a British shipping company
in Kobe. Working for shipping company was very natural and special for me,
for Kobe is my hometown and I love here so much as a beautiful port city
with exotic atomosphere and open-minded people.My house was located at the
foot of Mt. Futatabi (part of Mt. Rokko) and I could see the wornderful view
of downtown Kobe and the main gate of harbor. Every year when we celebrate
the New Year, we could hear every vessels at anchor blows their whisltes.
They echoed off, so the sound was so wonderful for us. Sometimes as a little
child I went to see passenger boats at the harbor and wished some day I
could travel around the world by sea.
Maybe that's why I chose the shipping company. It's part of Swire Group
which owned 'Elizabeth II'.
Those days economy in Japan was not so bad. Time went comparatively slowly,
compared with the situation today. So free,casual and intimate atmosphere
remained in the company. Our boss and superiors were all frank and above all
they liked to enjoy their lives . We threw parties when the container ship
came, and there we could eat, drink and have cozy conversation with the
officers. Quite an experience for a young lady who didn't know the life far
away over the ocean.
Well, the accident happened just before 'Golden Week' in Japan, at the end of April.
* A pain in my stomach
It was just the pain in my stomach, which I have to stand for a while every
month. First I also felt so. But something was strange. I had a slight fever
and felt so bad. I was a bit nervous and asked to my mom if I should go to
the hospital. She only ordered(^^; me, 'Stay in bed !! Why can't you stand
just a pain like this ? '.
Well, here I had to tell about my mom a little bit. I am an only child.
Maybe she wanted me to be tough enough to live through this world. She
thought being too kind to me would do more harm than good. Perhaps she might
think that the pain had come with my weakness, or...?? Well, I don't know.
But what was worse, the stomachache began on Friday and I missed to go to
see a doctor for a couple of days.
* At the hospital
On Monday, finally I decided to see a doctor.
At the hospital...the doctor told me...
" You cannot go home. Call your family, as soon as possible!! " The
operation was done that day. Yes, it was appendicitis. Not so serious
operation, only to find later that the doctor had to cut longer than usual
to remove my appendix, because I had been in bed so long at home. (^^;
However this was not the end.
* Another Pain...
I don't know why, but bad things will happen one after another. Several days
after the operation, I felt a pain again. Sharp pain attacked me so hard
again and again. It was kind of agony. This time it was intestinal catarrh
. Because of the frequent acute pain, I had to grasp the bar of
the bed until it subsided. It continued ...perhaps for a couple of days.
Afterwards, I'd tell my friends that the pain I experienced was maybe like
the labor pains which we feel in childbirth. Well, it's partly true. When I
first had my child few years later, I truly thought that childbirth was much
easier. (^^;
* What I missed...
When I left hospital, the holiday week 'Golden Week' was over. I only knew
that I missed a lot of fun.
One of my plan that I made for this holiday was a short trip to
Shinshuu(nice resort place in the central part of Japan) with my friends. I
planned everything, reserved train and hotel myself. Everything was
canncelled.
Also I knew that my first chance to have a cruise by a passenger liner was
ruined. A cruise to Singapore and some other countries (not by Elizabeth
ll). Wow,,,my true kind friends went without me. My dream ended in vain.!!
Now so many years have passed since then. I haven't realized my dream to make a nice voyage, yet. I still dream of it. If I had seen a doctor a little earlier...(^o^;
So be careful, when you feel a stomachace !!!
But...wait a moment. There's one good thing. When I went back to my office
after a long absence, my friends said "Wow, you look nice , much more
attractive!"
Well, without going on a diet, I could be slim again. For several months, I
couldn't eat much. (^^)/~~
Feb 17, 1999