In the morning I had a urine test and a blood test. I had already completed the stool test yesterday.
The morning urine was still a little reddish. It's probably myoglobin (the protein released when muscle breaks down) still being excreted.
Checkout is at 12. Four-hour countdown. The doctor came to look at the blood test results. CPK (a value indicating muscle damage) had returned to the normal range, and white blood cells had decreased and were returning to normal. There was no doubt I was heading in the right direction. When I told him my fever had gone down, he asked, "Do you want to be discharged today?" and of course I said Yes.
Today's Japanese translator was a different person than yesterday. Apparently this hospital has several Japanese interpreters. Amazing. I thanked the doctor and said bye-bye. I'm really glad I'm okay. In the end it may have just been my excessive worry. Lately I'd been looking up medical information on ChatGPT and had gotten oddly detailed, which only made me worry more.
A bill for 45,202 baht
I got a phone call saying to pay on the 4th floor. 45,202 baht. About 200,000 yen. It was within expectations, and given how thoroughly I was taken care of, I felt 200,000 yen was reasonable.
I immediately called the credit card's insurance company to report it. I told them I didn't plan to return to Japan within a month, but they said it was fine. Payment by credit card was OK, so I paid it all at once. I wonder how long it's been since I paid 200,000 yen in a single lump sum.
The IV was finished, I took a shower, cleaned up the room, and took a commemorative photo. It made for a nice memento of "this happened at the hospital."
The warmth of the hostel
I took a taxi to the hostel. I had informed them in advance, "I'm sick and in the hospital so I might check out late," and they said late check-out would be fine. When I arrived they immediately asked, "Are you OK?" and told me, "Take your time."
The room was being cleaned and wasn't available until 2:30, so I waited on the first floor. Then another staff member went out of their way to buy me coconut water and handed it to me. So kind. It was a whole coconut with only the shell removed, so after drinking I could eat the jiggly flesh. It was incredibly delicious and I ate it instantly. Since diarrhea had depleted my magnesium and potassium, I think my body was craving it.
Eastern medicine and Western medicine
The Chinese friend I met before I was hospitalized came back. When I told her about my hospitalization, she said she used to work in a hospital and knew a lot about medical care. She liked eastern medicine and believed that improving blood flow with massage and pressure points and using herbal medicine to harness the immune system is the best approach.
It was an interesting conversation, but I felt a bit skeptical. The actual process of healing from illness has been scientifically clarified: organic compounds in drugs act in the body to regulate hormones and immune responses. Of course eastern medicine has good aspects, but I felt it lacked scientific evidence to claim it could cure everything on its own. Superficial explanations don't convince me. That said, being exposed to different value systems like this is one of the joys of traveling.
To a new hotel
I completed checkout at the hostel. I had the receptionist write a message in the guestbook and I left a message too. I rode a motorbike to the new hotel. For this week I booked a private room where I could be alone. The place I booked on Airbnb felt really nice.
The best green curry of my life
After a short rest I went to a nearby restaurant with good reviews. I ordered the green Thai curry. It was insanely delicious. Even though I had diarrhea I ate it all. A proper meal after a long time was truly delicious, maybe the best Thai food I've ever had. And it was only 60 baht.
The night I stopped in my tracks
At night I went to do laundry and took a walk for the first time in a while. Walking along the river, I saw the girl who had been at the restaurant sitting on a bench. I thought it was a chance, but at the same time I got really scared and walked in a different direction.
Unexpected opportunities come suddenly. That's why you should instantly ask, "Will I regret this? If I could buy this situation, how much would I pay for it?" and if the benefits are there, act. Being scared is basically only a good thing. You won't be rejected, and I know I'm good at communication. I'm probably just lacking experience and confidence. I have to accumulate small experiences.
But this time it didn't work. It can't be helped.
I suddenly thought about the idea of "having support." When I first went overseas as a solo nomad two years ago, I even trembled when saying "Hello" to staff. Compared to that, I'm much better now. But it still makes a difference whether you have support or not. Thinking about it, the presence of support is really significant.
North Jazz Gate
I walked along the river and arrived at North Jazz Gate. Jazz was about to start and the place was packed with people. I listened to the jazz from outside, and it felt really pleasant.
Jazz calms my heart and lifts my spirits. I listened to a bit of the performance, decided to come back another day, and went home.
