Yesterday I flew to Okayama, and I returned to Okayama Medical Center (OMC) this morning. I was admitted as agreed. To my surprise, the hospital even provided me with my previous room. It feels like returning home after a long absence and seeing old friends again.

Okayama Medical Center with a selfie of the author.
Okayama Medical Center, as seen on Monday, 12 June 2023, moments before my admission for follow-up examinations.

This time my stay will be short, four days only. I’m here for follow-up examinations and maybe some additional BPAs. I feel totally fit and fine for everyday life, but my blood oxygen saturationBlood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) The oxygen saturation (SpO2) of a person's blood is defined as a percentage of the maximum amount (100%) of oxygen it can transport. A healthy person's SpO2 percentage should be between 96% and 99%. - Source: What is oxygen saturation (SpO2)? What is the normal range for SpO2??. Retrieved 11 November 2022, from ihealthlabs.com (SpO2Blood Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) The oxygen saturation (SpO2) of a person's blood is defined as a percentage of the maximum amount (100%) of oxygen it can transport. A healthy person's SpO2 percentage should be between 96% and 99%. - Source: What is oxygen saturation (SpO2)? What is the normal range for SpO2??. Retrieved 11 November 2022, from ihealthlabs.com) frequently drops below 88% when I exercise. Depending on the intensity, it can even go as low as 85%. Any improvement would be fantastic.

Let’s see!

Everything happens quickly

Because of my short stay, everything must happen quickly. Today I spent most of the day rushing from one examination to the next.

Today’s examinations:

  • Blood tests, 5 vials
  • 6-Minute walk test (6MWT)
  • Chest X-ray
  • CT scan
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
  • Lung function test
  • Echocardiogram
  • Lung perfusion scan

The doctors and hospital staff are going out of their way to accommodate me. My last exam of the day, a lung perfusion scan, was scheduled at 17:00 (5:00 pm), one hour after the clinic’s usual closing time.

Summary

My experience returning to Okayama Medical Center has been incredible thus far. I am grateful for the exceptional care I receive here. I highly recommend this hospital to anyone who is struggling with CTEPHChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension CTEPH is short for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, a rare form of high blood pressure in the lungs caused by blood clots or narrowed blood vessels. High blood pressure in the lungs is often also called pulmonary hypertension..