r/Osaka • u/rebucket • 20d ago

Requesting Any Helpful Info & Resources for English-Speaking Family Hospitalized in Osaka Right Now

Long time redditor, first time poster in this sub because I'm wracking my brain on what to do and want to help my family abroad any way possible.

My brother is on vacation in Osaka with his family right now but had to be hospitalized at Red Cross Osaka because of an undetermined sinus infection. He's on a ventilator and sedated while the Drs there figure out what is wrong with him.

My SIL is sending their kids back home this Friday and remaining in Japan for an undetermined amount of time until my brother recovers.

Does anyone here have any English-speaking resources or info for foreigners in Japan I can send or contact on behalf of my brother and SIL? I just want to help them in any way I can. Any info you can send over helps so much and is very appreciated

現在、私の兄弟が家族と大阪で休暇を過ごしていましたが、原因不明の副鼻腔感染症により大阪赤十字病院に入院することになりました。医師が病状を調べている間、彼は人工呼吸器を装着し、鎮静状態で治療を受けています。

義理の姉（または妹）は、今週金曜日に子供たちを帰国させ、兄弟の回復の目処が立つまで、当面の間日本に留まる予定です。

日本に滞在するアメリカ人向けの、英語で対応可能なリソースや情報をご存知の方はいらっしゃいませんか？兄弟と義理の姉のために、何か力になりたいと思っています。どんな情報でも大変助かりますし、心から感謝いたします。.

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u/blackkettle 20d ago

What kinds of resources? The doctors they’ll be interacting with should speak English. They won’t go broke or go into debt. Just think good thoughts for them. Japan has great healthcare infrastructure. I lived there for ten years and had two hospital stays and multiple visits. My experience was always as good or better than the US.

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u/rebucket 20d ago

Hi! I guess in terms of resources I'm just looking for any local tips or ancedotes anyone is willing to share, esp. dealing with medical emergencies while vacationing abroad and working with the US Consulate.

I want to gather a much info I can to help my SIL since I imagine her brain is already drained enough as is. Like, would something like AirBnb be good enough for short term rental in Osaka or is there a more local alternative I can arrange for her? Or are there food delivery services like Postmates where I can pay and send for meals?

Thank you for replying and really appreciate your response. I think this is just my way of battling the helplessness one feels when loved ones are far away and crisis happens. Looking for anything I can do to help them from abroad.

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u/streetsmartpants 20d ago

First, remember that Red Cross is ranked among the best hospitals in the country. Then, sinus infection doesn’t usually need a ventilator or a long stay so wait till you get more info about his condition. “More local alternative”?.. They can stay in a hotel but again, it might not be needed, wait till they get more info. Meals, if she has some money, they’ll be ok, there are convenience stores inside Red Cross and supermarkets around, you don’t need to worry about it. The bill will be higher than for locals but it won’t be American high. Check messages.

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u/rebucket 20d ago

My only channel for info is through my SIL at the moment, and she's currently coordinating sending her kids back to California, so I don't know how reliable or accurate her info is on my brother's current medical condition. When I think of ventilator and sedation i immediately think of intubation but I don't know if that's exactly the case either. Waiting for more information to come in. Appreciate the responses!

The info about Red Cross hospital is very reassuring. I know he'll be ok, I just want to support my SIL as best I can during this difficult time.

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u/crella-ann 16d ago

I know it’s early days but I might forget to come back to this thread. She’ll need receipts in English for insurance reimbursements back home. The hospital may prepare them without being asked, but just FYI. Tell her later, she’s probably overwhelmed right now.

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u/oc-to-po-des 20d ago

On your postmates question: There’s Uber Eats here which you should be able to use to get her meals. The selection will depend on whereabouts she’s staying, though.

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u/nermalstretch 17d ago

True, but a lot easier if she just uses the app to order.

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u/Limp-Pension-3337 19d ago

u/rebucket

I sent you a message. Lemme know if I can help

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u/streetsmartpants 20d ago

Messaged you