Sunday, June 10, 2012

A Beginner's Point of View 363-364

Day 363-378:

I’ve been seeing the doctor for a while, trying to get my liver cured. I may be at it a while.

I got a call from the doctor after several tests done. It turns out that I’ve had a benign growth in my liver for some time. It’s been undetectable until now. Last fall, I got struck in the unprotected part of my side by a few students practicing doh-uchi and missing the doh armor. Those strikes injured my liver and aggravated the growth, which in turn aggravated my liver. I think next month I might be okay to go back to Iaido since there is no contact. However, it may be a while until I go back to Kendo.

Day 378.5:

This is the first tournament I’ve been to since my injury. I’m still injured and the doctor has forbidden me from fighting until I’m healed, but I can run tables.

The night before the tournament, I showed up to the gymnasium to help set up. I spent over an hour helping to tape up the courts and arrange the tables. Everyone wanted to know where I’ve been and what’s happened. I told them the short version of my medical story and they were all shocked. They were all sympathetic and told me not to come back until I really felt cured. I’m glad to know they’re all behind me.

We had over one hundred and fifty fighters show up. I set myself at a table and began to help. The table manager asked what I wanted to do. I volunteered for ribbon-tying since I seem to be really good at it. I let the manager know that I could help with any job she needed.

As the day went on, more and more fighters showed up who were not fighting at the moment, asking to help. I sent them off strategically to find kenshi that I couldn’t find. As a result, all fighters were tagged for every bracket of a round in advance. I had no idea I had management skills.

The tournament went smoothly and I stayed to help clean up. We put just about everything away and I went home at about 8:45 or so. What a long day, but I didn’t get exhausted once. I’m grateful that I didn’t have to stop and wheeze in front of everyone.