Day 322, August 16, 2025 – Yokohama, Japan
An army of nasty little interlopers has invaded my body. I can hear them traipsing around in their little army boots, making a ruckus, stomping out my oxygen. They go by Streptococcus pneumoniae, but that’s way too elegant a name for them. They need a moniker more in line with their brutal tactics. Can any of my creative friends help me with a rechristening?
I have no idea how they broke in or where they came from. But my white-lab coated cavalry, both on the ship and in the hospital, immediately stepped in, with a full artillery. Ceftriaxone. Salbutamol. Dexamethasone. Amoxicillin. Azithromycin. Thyradin. Esomeprazole. Dayvigo. Calonal. Relvar. Humulin. Lactec. Acerio. Tazopipe. Terumo. Rinderon. Tazovive. Solden 3A. Meptin Inhalation. Vilanterol. Fluticasone. Periodically the cavalry requests from me blood, urine, sputum, an x-ray, CAT scan or some other proof of life. They haven’t asked me for tear samples yet, but I’ve got plenty of those if needed.
I can hear them fighting, and there is friendly fire I’m afraid of getting caught in. But today I think my cavalry has taken charge and set my oxygen free. The diligent scientist in me is valiantly trying to keep up with it all, taking notes and scanning labels to keep a record. Because at the end I know I will want a view of exactly what went down in my body.
But today I am exhausted from the fight and trying to monitor it. I just want to lay down the arms, and my pen. Today I will brew myself a pot of fragrant tea, of which the hospital has a lovely selection. Wrap my hands around a warm, soothing cup and inhale the sweet white peach. And just sit here quietly in front of my little window and watch life on the outside. Push down the lump in my throat that keeps reminding me of everything I’m missing.
And maybe, just maybe, a little birdie will alight on the window ledge and join me in a spot of tea.
25 responses to “A Cup of Tea in Time of War”
I think it is a good sign that you are sending us some creative writing entries – including a war metaphor. Your body and brain are fighting back. You are enjoying the simple pleasure of tea and envisioning bird visits and complex problem solving once recovered. Don’t under estimate how good, how powerful that is. Your brain is powerful. Keep resting your body so when you rejoin your ship you are ready for excursions! Many are cheering for you
Thanks Joan! The creative writing entries might be the result of a combination of antibiotics and steroid, but I’ll take inspiration whatever way I can get it.
Aah, rest well and recover. The ship is not far away, and Japan isn’t going anywhere. I look forward to seeing you around, feeling better.
Amazingly enough, you are right where you need to be. Serious illness is humbling, and you can’t rush your healing. Although it’s not the journey you wanted, your Yokohama time will be treasured at some point. After you pass through survival mode, you might need some slow time, and you get to choose this.
Tea moments are wonderful, aren’t they?
Eve – yes they are indeed
Basia
Your antibiotics therapy is right in line for strep pnumoniae. Don’t fight the antibiotics and allow them to win the battle. Get better with some rest!!!
Thank you for the update, being in hospital is no fun at the best of times. Being in one that is not an English speaking as a 1st language will be even harder. But it really is the best place for you to be right now. Like you say you have your army of helpers there, doing all they can to repel the boarders that invaded you. This is the time when you are glad you got good health insurance.
Hazel – I don’t have health insurance but enough in savings to get me by.
SSP…. Seriously Shitty Pneumonia! We ALL hate it and we ALL hate that it attacked YOU! Sending you and your caretakers every Good Healing Vibe, Good Healing Juju and Good Healing Peaceful Thought! Your body needs all those to heal, Basia.
May the Force and Peach Tea be with you! 🍑🫖🍑🫖🍑
Jane Anne – SSP – yes I love that!
I am sure you know it Basia. But make sure you enter everything into Chat GPT or a similar AI model. You will learn a lot. But take the info a grain of salt (or cup of tea) as always.
Your post left me speechless and filled with all types of tears. If there is the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize for blogs, your entry should be nominated.
Two images came to me regarding birds, keeping in mind my past encounters with them. One is an image of CH when she came to visit me one year. She was in the Angry Bird phase. She took a picture with her AB everywhere including at the Alamo. Many lovely conversations with amused strangers followed. The other image is of the Japanese tradition of making a 1000 origami cranes for healing, hope and peace. Over the years, I have seen many of our students do presentations on this traditions. It has always been a perfect healing project. Link below
https://japantalker.com/symbols-of-hope-healing-and-a-thousand-year-tradition/
Donna – we are actually doing the 1000 Origami Cranes project on the ship. I’ve created a number of them along with other shipmates. We are close to 2000 I think, and the plan is to deliver them to two locations as part of a pilgrimage. It’s one of the things I’m most upset about missing.
Oh what a perfect convergence of events. Ask your health care providers at the hospital if they could make one or two to add to your VVO project. Can you continue to make them while you are stuck?
I’ll join you in a cup of peach green tea and hope you’re at least sleeping well and have some worthwhile reading to take your mind somewhere else for a bit of time. Xo
Invasaurum Maximus.
Horrific internal adventure. Fervent wishes for recovery, hoping the worst is now past and becomes a story. You have indeed been living a storied life, Basia. 🙏
O My Gosh… This is not good news! Thank God you are ok.. ish.
Still breathing anyway! How in the heck???? Prayers up for you… Will be thinking of you often and try to send some birdies your way… I have an “in” with them… I give them great food.
Stay hydrated and fed even if you have to choke it down. I am so sorry you are sick…. Hang in there…. Also if you have the CALM app… That would help relax you. Tones… Etc.
Prayers up….
So your army of doctors has a full armory – ! wow!
I’m here ready to chat with you on whatever device works if you want company. Just help me with the time differences. hugs Tereska
Thanks Tereska. I’m hanging in there. Thank goodness for laptop entertainment!
Oh, I’m so glad to hear from you. You are such a brilliant writer. If I show this to my friends, they would think you were in a war zone which you are, but I would think in Japan. The medical attention is very good. I am thinking of you every day.
Thanks Meredith, I appreciate the thoughts
Not sure what places you’ll miss – but that won’t stop you from going back one day to see them. Continue to get better and move
Forward !
Shannon – yes I am going to do a Japan do-over. There is so much here to see and do.
You are strong. The tea will help. We all support you. Get well. Come back soon.
Thanks Jim, looking forward to being back on board.