I began coughing severely in November 1997 and I thought it was just a flu. I went to the hospital and they prescribed some cough medicine. But still, coughing did not stop.

Ms. Watanabe and her daughter

After two weeks, I had an X-ray examination and it showed the accumulation of liquid in my lung. It was the cause of my cough. They were able to drain 4.5 liters of the liquid.

The severe cough recurred in April 1998, and water accumulation in my lung was confirmed. After draining the water in the left lung, I thought I could go home. But water began to accumulate in the right lung as well. I had another operation and they injected medicine to my lungs to prevent further water accumulation.

"...I already felt that my life was in jeopardy."

However, my body rejected the medication and I suffered a high fever and had difficulty breathing. I already felt that my life was in jeopardy. The treatment for the right lung was suspended and the cough still wouldn`t go away. Then, I lost my appetite. The cough grew worse after I went home.

It was even difficult for me to climb the stairs. I suffered greatly from the severe coughing during the three weeks at home. Then I went back to the hospital again.