Yamada Kenji, a seasoned journalist known for his resilience, faced life-changing circumstances when he was diagnosed with stage 4 bladder cancer earlier this year at the age of 65. The diagnosis revealed not only the primary cancer but also metastasis to his lungs, propelling him onto a challenging path of treatment and recovery.
Upon receiving such dire news, Yamada chose to confront his illness with determination. He calmly accepted the stringent treatment regimen proposed by his doctors, opting initially for chemotherapy to address the advanced stages of his cancer. After several months of battling the disease, he underwent bladder removal surgery on October 30, 2024, marking a significant step in his medical fight.
His operation went remarkably well, allowing him to be discharged from the hospital about one week later. Thanks to previous procedures to address kidney function issues, he could escape the more invasive urinary diversion surgeries some other patients may face. This facilitated his recovery, and he began rehabilitation almost immediately, picking up exercises like sitting up and walking around his hospital room.
The stark transformation he experienced after surgery was notable. “The reduction of visits to the restroom after surgery has significantly improved my quality of life, allowing for uninterrupted sleep,” remarked Yamada, illustrating just how much his daily life altered. Previously, he had been plagued by frequent urges to urinate—sometimes as often as once every hour. Now, he finds relief with only two to three trips to the restroom daily.
Such changes have drastically uplifted his quality of life, allowing Yamada to regain normalcy. He found himself cooking again, shopping for fresh fish at local markets, and revitalizing activities such as leisurely strolls through the nearby park. “Autumn became so lovely as I admired the beautiful ginkgo trees,” he reflected, emphasizing the joy of rediscovering simple pleasures.
Despite the substantial improvements, not everything during his recovery has been smooth sailing. Following the operation, there came the emotional toll of male function loss, which carries inherent psychological weight. Yamada echoed shared sentiments expressed by fellow patients, including the late broadcaster Tomokazu Ogura, who had faced similar circumstances. “Despite the loss of male function post-surgery, I have found peace with my daily routine,” he shared, demonstrating how resourceful he has been throughout his ordeal.
Nonetheless, he remains vigilant about his condition, and just early this December, he had follow-up CT scans to monitor his progress. The results provided both good and bad news. On the positive side, the scans showed no indications of bladder cancer recurrence or new tumors forming within the abdominal cavity. “There are new metastases, but the lung metastases have shown signs of reduction,” Yamada updated, shedding light on the complex reality of living with advanced-stage cancer.
Yet, the challenges don't stop here. Yamada has also noted concerning changes within his body—weight loss being one of them. While he weighed 63 kilograms back in April, by mid-November, he had lost 10 kilograms, now tipping the scales at just 53 kilograms. “I have experienced weight loss and changes to my body during this process, but I remain optimistic,” Yamada stated, expressing his resolve to embrace his life amid uncertainties.
Yamada Kenji stands as a resilient figure, embodying not only the struggle against cancer but also the belief in recovery and quality of life. Even with the myriad challenges presented by his diagnosis and treatment, including the acute realizations of physical changes and emotional losses, his spirit endures. Each small victory, whether it’s the ability to sleep through the night or simply enjoying the bursting colors of autumn leaves, adds to his continuing fight, marking his inspiring narrative of life lived to the fullest.