A Change in Summer and Autumn Plans
Well, just when you think things are going along all right, life throws a curve ball. More in tune to a writer however, as a friend of mine likes to say when things go wrong: PLOT TWIST!
I wasn’t feeling so well when I left Tokyo in June for a long visit to the U.S. and there was good reason why. I have lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes. No panic necessary – it’s a curable form of cancer and I am tolerating the treatment – chemotherapy – quite well. Oh, I don’t mean to imply that it’s all fun and games, but the good news is that treatment appears to be working already and I will be my regular reading, writing and raring-to-go self in a matter of months. I have an excellent team of doctors at the George Washington University Hospital and my friends and family in the U.S. have been wonderful. I have treatment every three weeks through October, and then post-treatment testing, so it is likely that I will not be back in Tokyo until after the December holidays, in January.
In the meantime, as I undertake this treatment, I am going to try to do some writing about not the ins and outs of cancer treatment, but more like what’s happening in my brain as I go through it. What happens in my brain is much more interesting (and less..um…gross!) than what’s up with my body.
So, dear reader, I hope you will forgive my many-month digression away from solely Japan-based writing and continue to read my blog for other reasons as well. Don’t worry – I’ll be back in Tokyo and writing about it with fresh eyes in no time.
Happy summer, wherever you are.
Aimee Weinstein, Tokyo Writer 
I have enjoyed your posts about Tokyo but would certainly be just as interested in what’s happening otherwise. Thank you for sharing. And through the good and bad, may your journey forward be filled with family and friends loving you along the way.
You will be in my prayers for a speedy and successful recovery. I have always enjoyed your blog, no matter what and where you were writing.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery. I’m sure I speak for many of your readers when I say we’ll be looking forward to your return to Tokyo and Japan blogging when you’re better. Take care.
Hope you have a fast recovery and are back in Japan before too long. In the meantime, take care and enjoy (in as much as you can) spending time with your friends and family.