On December 18th, 2011, two days after I was discharged from the hospital after eight months of treatment, I went to a place I loved at the time, and a heron greeted me at Heian Shrine.
In May 2011, I had a strange physical condition that I had never experienced before, so I went to a large hospital near my workplace for a check-up.
At first, I was diagnosed with mild pneumonia, and since they said that pneumonia would heal faster if I were hospitalized, I immediately agreed.
I was blessed with a brain in the category of genius and an extremely healthy body with excellent motor skills.
I was born and raised in Yuriage, a fishing port under the direct control of the Date clan. This port town is still famous for its delicious fish.
I grew up eating fresh fish, Sendai natto, Sasanishiki rice, one of Japan's most delicious rice varieties, and fresh field crops daily.
I was convinced that my life expectancy was 100 years old.
I was that healthy.
I don't remember it at all, but I was very ill with a disease that was popular when I was little - except for one case where I was saved by the efforts of a doctor at the Sendai City Hospital, with whom my father was friendly.
It led to my becoming one of Osaka's most famous foodies and heavy drinkers during my business life.
So, I immediately accepted the hospital admission.
Despite my lack of experience with hospitals, I was ready to face this new chapter head-on.
When I got back to the office, I told the managing director that I was going to be hospitalized the next day.
Soon after, the phone on my desk rang.
It was the doctor in charge. "We've found something terrible..."
His words sent a shiver down my spine, the reality of my situation sinking in. I was not prepared for this news.
"Doctor, please tell me the name of my illness, even if it's bad news."
"Acute myeloid leukemia."
I was prepared to die in an instant.
The circumstances are as I wrote in "The Turntable of Civilization" before.
After being told by my doctor that I had a 25% chance of survival, I spent eight months in hospital.
This photo collection is of Heian Shrine, etc., which I visited on the day after I was declared fully recovered and discharged from the hospital on December 16th.
Heian Shrine was a place I visited frequently at the time.
A heron greeted me.
It was a scene like a miracle.
As I neared full recovery, I made a point to walk many laps of the wide elliptical corridor at Kitano Hospital daily, determined to regain my strength.
At this time, I was listening to an album from George Harrison's final years, including this song, on my iPod.
As you know, he died of a brain tumor despite treatment.
I don't know of any other song that is as poignant and beautiful as this one.
When I discovered this photo collection, I thought this was the only song that could be played in the background.
In May 2011, I had a strange physical condition that I had never experienced before, so I went to a large hospital near my workplace for a check-up.
At first, I was diagnosed with mild pneumonia, and since they said that pneumonia would heal faster if I were hospitalized, I immediately agreed.
I was blessed with a brain in the category of genius and an extremely healthy body with excellent motor skills.
I was born and raised in Yuriage, a fishing port under the direct control of the Date clan. This port town is still famous for its delicious fish.
I grew up eating fresh fish, Sendai natto, Sasanishiki rice, one of Japan's most delicious rice varieties, and fresh field crops daily.
I was convinced that my life expectancy was 100 years old.
I was that healthy.
I don't remember it at all, but I was very ill with a disease that was popular when I was little - except for one case where I was saved by the efforts of a doctor at the Sendai City Hospital, with whom my father was friendly.
It led to my becoming one of Osaka's most famous foodies and heavy drinkers during my business life.
So, I immediately accepted the hospital admission.
Despite my lack of experience with hospitals, I was ready to face this new chapter head-on.
When I got back to the office, I told the managing director that I was going to be hospitalized the next day.
Soon after, the phone on my desk rang.
It was the doctor in charge. "We've found something terrible..."
His words sent a shiver down my spine, the reality of my situation sinking in. I was not prepared for this news.
"Doctor, please tell me the name of my illness, even if it's bad news."
"Acute myeloid leukemia."
I was prepared to die in an instant.
The circumstances are as I wrote in "The Turntable of Civilization" before.
After being told by my doctor that I had a 25% chance of survival, I spent eight months in hospital.
This photo collection is of Heian Shrine, etc., which I visited on the day after I was declared fully recovered and discharged from the hospital on December 16th.
Heian Shrine was a place I visited frequently at the time.
A heron greeted me.
It was a scene like a miracle.
As I neared full recovery, I made a point to walk many laps of the wide elliptical corridor at Kitano Hospital daily, determined to regain my strength.
At this time, I was listening to an album from George Harrison's final years, including this song, on my iPod.
As you know, he died of a brain tumor despite treatment.
I don't know of any other song that is as poignant and beautiful as this one.
When I discovered this photo collection, I thought this was the only song that could be played in the background.
