hiroko.io

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Why I’m Taking a Chemo Drug

Hiroko Nishimura · August 25, 2017January 11, 2021

Three weeks ago, I took my first dose of Methtrexate (MTX), a chemotherapy agent, and an immuno-suppresant drug, after months of persistent, debilitating chronic pain. It had begun in my foot early spring. By the time I started the drug, the pain had spread to my shoulder, elbow, multiple fingers, hips, and jaw. In beginning of …

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Minimalism Journey: Decluttering

Hiroko Nishimura · August 7, 2017July 25, 2020

July was the month when I finally kick-started the “Minimalism Journey” I had been intending for months. Over the past few months, I have started to accumulate a list of “Decluttering To-Do’s,” but as with most of my cleaning-based tasks, nothing really got done, and the mess just kept on expanding. Last month, I finally …

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1 Paycheck Challenge to Save Money

Hiroko Nishimura · July 28, 2017July 22, 2020

For the month of August, I am going to try out the 1 Paycheck Challenge to save money. Basically, it’s what it sounds like. Since I get paid twice a month, I am going to attempt to pay all of my bills with just one of my paychecks, and save or invest the other paycheck. Give …

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Being an Obliger: Rules, Habits, and Routines

Hiroko Nishimura · July 14, 2017August 2, 2020

Which “Four Tendency” personality trait are YOU? And how can you use your personality traits to help you live an easier life?

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June Recap: Happy Birthday!

Hiroko Nishimura · July 8, 2017July 23, 2020

It’s July! Which means June, my birthday month, passed by, and the year is more than half way over already. A lot happened last month, but at the same time, it seems like nothing has changed. Trip to Japan My birthday was in June, and I it jetlagged after my 2 week trip to Japan. …

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1 Minute Rule

Hiroko Nishimura · July 5, 2017July 22, 2020

I’ve just implemented the “1 Minute Rule” in my life, inspired by Gretchen Rubin’s own “One Minute Rule.” What exactly is the “1 Minute Rule“? What it calls for is very simple: If there’s anything you can do within one minute, just do it now. It’s quite phenomenal what “mundane small tasks” we manage to …

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Organizing with Brain Injury

Hiroko Nishimura · August 28, 2016July 22, 2020

I used to be that student who started an assignment at 12AM the night before it was due, finished it at some wee hour of dawn, and submitted it to more or less make an A. Once my brain was snipped at and poked around a bit, that part of me was no more. I …

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Why I Run

Hiroko Nishimura · April 20, 2016July 22, 2020

I have never been a “natural athlete.” I have never had talents for the athletics, and I trip over air periodically. Knowing this (I guess I was always a slow slothy child), my parents put me through vigorous athletic childhood. I swam for 10 years (2 to 12 years old), and played tennis for almost …

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Our March for Brain Injury Awareness

Hiroko Nishimura · March 4, 2016July 22, 2020

This year’s hashtag/motto for Brain Injury Association of America‘s Brain Injury Awareness Month is #NotAloneInBrainInjury. The campaign for 2016~2017 is “Not Alone“: The Not Alone campaign provides a platform for educating the general public about the incidence of brain injury and the needs of people with brain injuries and their families. The campaign also lends itself …

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A Lesson in Slowing Down

Hiroko Nishimura · February 19, 2016July 22, 2020

I am a huge proponent of the importance of “Listening to Your Body.” If it’s tired, I’ve told countless frustrated survivors, it’s not being “lazy” to stop and rest. It’s a necessity. This goes for neuro-, physical- or mental- fatigue. Since I began my recovery process from my craniotomy four years ago, I have become keenly aware …