After a Frustrating Bank Visit, I Got Back into the Water for the First Time in Five Months — I Still Love Swimming Friday, October 30, 2026 Day 5 After Discharge

1. Leaving at 8:30 a.m. for the Labor Bank

I left home on the 8:30 a.m. bus today.

My purpose was to resolve a problem with my Labor Bank cash card.

After retirement, I joined a mutual aid association for retired members. When I was still working, medical expense reimbursements were automatically deposited into my bank account if certain conditions were met. After retirement, however, the system changed to one requiring an application.

For members between the ages of 60 and 70, if medical expenses, including prescription costs, amount to at least 5,000 yen per month for the same illness at the same medical institution, they can submit copies of their receipts along with a designated application form. After the amount is calculated, the reimbursement is deposited into their designated account.

When I lived in Shizuoka, I sometimes dropped off the application documents together with my husband’s whenever I happened to pass near the station.

Things are different now that I live in Ehime.

There is a close relationship between the mutual aid association, the retirees’ association, and the Labor Bank. Using the Labor Bank also makes sense in terms of transfer fees. There would be little point in receiving medical expense assistance if the bank transfer fees ended up costing more than the reimbursement itself.

I will probably continue to visit hospitals in the future, and there is also assistance available for comprehensive health checkups. That is why I wanted to make sure I could use my Labor Bank account properly.

After moving to Matsuyama, I opened an account with the Labor Bank. I chose not to have a passbook and received only a cash card.

However, after switching to a new iPhone in October, I had trouble transferring my banking services.

I managed to transfer some accounts, including Sumishin SBI Net Bank, although it took considerable effort. But I simply could not log in to the Labor Bank app.

I tried several PINs that I normally use, but none worked.

I had also contacted the bank by phone, but the problem remained unresolved. So I went there today expecting that I might have to request a replacement card.

2. Something I Learned for the First Time at the Counter

The first thing I was told was that replacing the card would cost 1,100 yen.

Since I did not have a passbook, I had brought everything I thought might be necessary, including my My Number card and registered bank seal.

Then the staff member helping me mentioned something unexpected.

Apparently, the Labor Bank app had changed on October 1, and that might have been the cause of my problem.

Wait, really?

On my new iPhone, I kept getting a message saying that my PIN was incorrect. I was worried that the app might become locked, so I had been trying again every day.

The app on my old iPhone was frozen, while the one on the new iPhone kept telling me that my PIN was incorrect.

Yet when I had called the bank for help, nobody had mentioned that the app itself had changed.

At the counter, they uninstalled and reinstalled the app, entered the branch number and account number, and reset the PIN. After that, it worked perfectly.

I was astonished.

Had I really come all this way just for something like this?

Honestly, I was angry.

If the app had changed, customers should have been informed clearly. At the very least, I wish someone had explained it when I called to ask for help.

3. The Cash Card Turned Out to Be a Separate Problem

Since I was already at the counter, I decided to check one more thing.

“Can I actually use this cash card?”

When they tried it in the machine, the card was pushed back out partway through.

The problem occurred before I even had a chance to enter my PIN.

The staff member checked it and explained that there was a magnetic stripe error.

Apparently, something was wrong with the card’s magnetic stripe.

They could not determine exactly what had caused it, but they said it was not something they could blame on me. The bank would therefore replace the card at its own expense.

In the end, I did not have to pay the 1,100 yen replacement fee.

The new card is expected to arrive by registered mail within seven to ten days at my address at Eden.

There had been two separate problems: the app and the magnetic stripe on the card.

Still, I had prepared all those documents, my My Number card, and my registered seal for today’s visit. Because I did not have a passbook, I had been especially careful to bring everything I might need.

I was left with a rather complicated feeling.

4. I Felt I Would Be Even Angrier If I Went Straight Home

Actually, I had brought my swimsuit with me today.

I was planning to go near the Matsuyama City Community Center anyway.

It is a little walk from the Labor Bank, but not an unreasonable distance.

I wanted to swim, but since I had only recently been discharged from the hospital, I had wondered whether I should postpone it.

However, after everything that happened at the bank, I felt that if I went straight home, my frustration would only get worse.

So I decided to go to the pool.

The regular admission fee is 300 yen for one hour.

However, the one-hour limit includes changing time.

For example, if you enter at 4:58, you must finish changing and leave by 5:58.

Even if you do not spend much time using the hair dryer, the actual time in the water is only about 20 to 30 minutes.

Even so, today I really wanted to get into the water.

5. My First Time Back in the Pool in Five Months

I changed into my swimsuit and entered the pool.

The last time I had been in the water was probably when I tried a trial session at the Fitta gym in late May or early June.

It had been about five months.

First, I walked through the water where I could.

When I tried floating, using a kickboard caused pain in my left shoulder. Floating without the kickboard felt a little easier.

I tried a little freestyle, but I became afraid of rotating my left arm, so I stopped.

For butterfly, I moved only my legs without using my arms.

Next, I turned onto my back and tried kicking.

Then, although I was a little nervous, I decided to try breaststroke.

To my surprise, I could swim better than I expected.

I have a meniscus problem in my right knee, and I had forgotten to bring my knee support today. So I avoided strong kicks and simply moved gently through the water.

Even so, breaststroke felt the most comfortable.

In the end, I spent about 20 minutes in the water.

Changing into a swimsuit, floating, and swimming again after such a long time.

I still love the water.

6. My Body Has Not Returned to Normal Yet

I am still recovering from my left shoulder fracture and surgery.

My shoulder movement is restricted, and my wrist hurts as well. Since returning home, I have also noticed that I cannot fully bend my fingers.

I also have a meniscus problem in my right knee.

On land, I am constantly reminded of the things I cannot do and the movements that cause pain.

There is a limit to how much rehabilitation I can do by myself. I have not yet been able to receive outpatient rehabilitation as regularly as I would like.

Yesterday, thinking about all these things left me feeling emotionally low as well.

But today, I got into the water.

I listened to my body and tried to swim while checking which movements I could manage and which ones I could not.

Freestyle felt frightening. The kickboard caused pain. But breaststroke felt good.

Tonight, I need to check how my shoulder, wrist, and knee are feeling and take care of myself without overdoing anything.

On November 4, I am scheduled to see Dr. A in the orthopedic department at Dogo Onsen Hospital. After that, arrangements are being made for me to receive 40-minute outpatient rehabilitation sessions with Mr. AM, who also worked with me before my hospitalization.

I will make sure to tell them about today’s swimming experience.

7. Some Things We Love Never Really Leave Us

When I left the pool, I had missed the bus I could have taken if I had left earlier.

I knew that would happen. I had known from the beginning that I would not make that bus if I stayed in the pool.

The next bus was scheduled for 1:12 p.m.

The rain had been heavy, but while I was waiting, it gradually began to ease.

As I waited for the bus, I found myself reflecting on the day.

I had been frustrated by the bank procedures. They had taken up more time than necessary.

But I was glad I had not gone straight home. I was glad I had gone to the pool.

My body still cannot move as it once did. There are many things I cannot do, and I sometimes feel impatient with my recovery.

Even so, being in the water was fun.

Rather than simply forgetting the unpleasant experience, I felt as though I had rediscovered something I had always loved.

My body has not yet returned to normal.

But the part of me that enjoys doing the things I love is still there.

Yes, I still love the water.

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