An Interview with Crime Journalist Taihei Ogawa! “To be honest, I underestimated it”—Chemotherapy Leaves His Mouth Swollen and Blisters on His Fingers
“I got blisters where the cap touched my skin…”
“My body doesn’t move right away, and I don’t feel like I have the energy. I really do feel that my immune system has weakened and my ability to take action has diminished.”
These are the words of crime journalist Taihei Ogawa (64).Mr. Ogawa underwent surgery on August 5 to remove colorectal cancer. During the procedure, metastases were found in 16 lymph nodes, all of which were removed. While colorectal cancer is said to have few noticeable symptoms in its early stages, Mr. Ogawa’s cancer was already at Stage 3C when it was discovered.
In a video released by “FRIDAY TV” on October 3, he discusses the events leading up to the diagnosis.
He was discharged from the hospital on August 21 after surgery. Although all the cancer was removed, he has been undergoing chemotherapy for about half a year, starting on October 1, to prevent recurrence.
Today marks the 12th day since he began treatment. Although he looks a little thinner, his complexion is good, and he gives the impression of being full of energy as usual. However, when asked about his current physical condition, he began by saying, “Honestly, I’m not doing well.” Reflecting on the start of his treatment,
“I might have underestimated it…”
he said.
“On the first day, I received an IV infusion of chemotherapy at the hospital. That took about three hours. That same night, I started taking oral medication. I take six tablets twice a day, morning and night. I do that for two weeks. Then, I take a one-week break from treatment without taking any medication.These three weeks make up one cycle. I’ll continue this for eight cycles, so it’s a total of 24 weeks—about half a year. Today is October 12, so I haven’t even finished the first cycle yet. It’s been 12 days since I started treatment, but today is when I’ve felt the worst.
At first, things weren’t as bad as I’d expected. Of course, I did feel some discomfort—just a tingling numbness in my lips when I drank something cold. That lasted about four days. Then came a scratchy feeling in my throat.It felt like I might have caught a slight cold. So I thought, “I don’t need to take a week off, do I?” But the medication is gradually starting to take effect. I guess the side effects didn’t show up at first because the medication wasn’t working very well.”
Currently, his mouth is numb and swollen all over, and he says he can’t open his mouth more than half as wide as usual.
“Today, I was eating lunch as usual, but the food I picked up with my chopsticks wouldn’t go into my mouth. It just fell right onto the table, and I thought, ‘What am I doing?’… I tried bringing it to my mouth again, but it still wouldn’t go in. I was actually a little surprised.
What surprised me even more was that just trying to open a plastic bottle cap caused a blister to form on the finger I used to touch it. This is the first time in my life that’s ever happened.”
It’s not just the chemotherapy that’s taking a toll on Mr. Ogawa. The stoma (artificial anus) he still wears is also a major source of stress and a factor that makes daily life difficult.
Even so, Mr. Ogawa remains positive, saying:
“But the human body gets used to things. Knowing that I have work to do helps me stay motivated and keeps me going.”
Mr. Ogawa’s battle with cancer continues—.
[YouTube] On “FRIDAY TV,” crime journalist Taihei Ogawa discusses the side effects of chemotherapy and the realities of living with a stoma (artificial anus).