"Doctor, Shall We Have a Contest to See Who's More Eccentric?" - My First Follow-up Visit After Leaving the Hospital - July 2, 2026 (Thursday), Reiwa 8

Today was my first follow-up visit to the Japanese Red Cross Hospital after being discharged.

While looking at my X-rays, my doctor explained the titanium hardware that had been placed in my shoulder.

"For now, it looks fine. If it ever causes problems, we can consider removing it."

Since I love swimming, I couldn't help asking,

"Doctor, do you think I'll be able to swim the butterfly stroke again?"

He smiled and replied,

"Well... that'll take determination."

It sounded less like a medical explanation and more like encouragement to keep working hard in rehabilitation.

Then, in the middle of the examination, he suddenly asked,

"So, what kind of work did you do?"

"I was a high school English teacher."

As soon as I answered, he said,

"I thought so. You seemed very sharp."

I laughed and replied,

"I'm not so much sharp as... people often tell me I'm a bit eccentric. I think I could even compete with you."

He grinned.

"Oh? Shall we?"

It was hardly the kind of conversation one would expect in a medical examination room.

Actually, this wasn't my first memorable experience with him.

While I was still in the hospital, he once told me,

"I'll come back later and show you the photos."

So I waited for about thirty minutes.

In the end, he never came. A nurse later told me that he had probably been called into emergency surgery.

I had also struggled with a change in my follow-up appointment.

When I mentioned it today, he simply said,

"I see... I see..."

and gave me a slight bow.

He doesn't seem to be the type who apologizes formally.

Instead, he has a rather unique personality.

That was when I found myself thinking,

"This doctor might be quite an eccentric himself."

Of course, I don't mean that as an insult.

There is something appealing about people who see the world a little differently.

I've often been told that I'm a bit unusual myself.

So perhaps, if we really had an eccentricity contest, it might actually be a close match.

Breaking my shoulder was certainly not something I ever wished for.

But because of it, I met a doctor who could make me laugh.

Illness and injury are never welcome.

Yet sometimes they bring unexpected encounters and moments of laughter.

That was the greatest gift I took home from my very first follow-up visit after leaving the hospital.

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