‘Mother’s Day’ in Japan

THE AUTHOR and her daughter Amanda

KYOTO, Japan—The day after arriving at Kansai International Airport, I checked into the Isshiki Memorial Voice Center/Hiroshiba ENT Clinic to undergo surgery for spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological speech disorder characterized by weak, strangled voice and clipped words.

In the Philippines, I tried acupuncture for six months to no avail, followed by injections of vitamins C and B. The six ENTs I went to all had the same diagnosis. For three years, I struggled with tremulous speech.

Last February, a group of retired nurses from the Philippine Women’s University joined the Batanes Photo Safari, and with them was ENT specialist, Dr. Karen June Dumlao. She had once attended a forum conducted by Dr. Shinya Hiroshiba and Dr. Masahiro Tanabe, including a demo on the surgical treatment for spasmodic dysphonia at the Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Thereafter, I began communicating with Dr. Hiroshiba, who assured me that my condition was curable. I was scheduled for operation sometime between April 17 and 22.

Luminary

None of my daughters could go with me, and I needed to raise funds. But, I was keen on getting treated.

The surgery was performed by doctors Hiroshiba and Tanabe. Also present was 86-year-old Dr. Nobuhuki Isshiki, a luminary in his field of expertise.

They sliced three inches of my neck skin, widened my vocal cords by four millimeters, drilled a bone, and asked me to choose between a low or high pitch. I chose the former. I was forbidden to stretch my neck or talk for 10 days.

But, there was a special surprise waiting for me: At 9 p.m., Amanda, my third daughter, came into my room and I almost cried. “Don’t talk, Mami,” she “ordered” me.

The next day, we checked out and were billeted by Dr. Shinya Hiroshiba in a luxurious mountain resort called XIV.

Amanda and I went on a walking tour of Kyoto. She told me, “You see, Mami, I’m a flight attendant, I love taking pictures, I’m a diver, and I tour my colleagues abroad during layovers. —Just like you! But, for now, don’t talk—it’s bad for you.” I was happy to obey. —What a way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year!

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