A short personal update...

Hello Makiko-san,

My thoughts are with you and I love love love your amazing work and recipes! I used them always when I was living in Sydney, and continue to refer to your website all the time now that I am living in Tokyo. I love your book, too.

You're doing an amazing job fighting your cancer. I lost my father three months ago to the disease.

Love Sandwich

xoxo

Maki, your health is the most important priority right now.
Your readers think you're fab and just want you to get better.
I know it's not Japanese, but a common Korean idiom is to say 'Fighting!' or 'Hwaiting!' when supporting and encouraging their comrades.
So much love and 'Fighting!' to you Maki - please take care.

Hi Maki, I'm sorry to hear you're still having some health problems...I hope this is just a hiccup in terms of your complete recovery. Your writing brightens my day, and you are always the blogger I turn to when I have a japanese food question! I hope it helps to know you are appreciated...your words are not wasted, but go out into the world like seeds that grow a garden of ideas and experiences for others. Thanks for that! :) And speedy recovery to you!

Feel better soon Maki. Praying for you!

Keeping my finger crossed for you to heal completely

Hi Maki

Thank you for the update, too bad about the need for ongoing treatment；so glad to hear you speak of the writing you are planning.

お大事に

Hello Maki,
I've been reading your blog for a long time and I just wanted to say how much I enjoy it and that I am sorry to hear about your problems. I wish you all the best with your health. I know what it means.
Take lots of care - we are waiting for you here.
Lu

Don't worry about us. Some of have been here a while and will continue to be. Take your time, get better. We will be here when you are ready and able to be here too.

*hugs and all that*

Wish you all the best!

My best wishes, Maki. I've been an avid reader of your blog for years and it's a shame you're to have to go through with radiation again.

I-I want to send you a get well card. And a... a fantastic gift. D:

Wish you all the best! Get well soon...

Get well soon Maki-san! I've been lurking on your blog/s for years, I love what you do. All the very best from over here.

Take care of yourself, I love your posts so much that I will enjoy re-reading the older ones until you feel well enough to write more! :)

All your fans are cheering for you and sending love and good wishes your way.

Another Fan (Kat)

マキさん、

このブローグ大好き！健康の事、頑張ってください。ここの皆、マキさんの復帰待っています！お大事に！

Hi makiko...you are quite an admirable woman! Inspire of your health condition you stills are for your blog followers. By the way I discovered cook pad and I just love the recipes there...so simple and mostly Homecooked and comfort food...oh so you are that translator...yes I have come across your name there.

Take care of your health and I am praying you will be able to recover real soon,

Best,

Chit

Hello Maki-san

I hope you are feeling better soon/ I'll be looking forward to your future postings.

Gambarimashooo!!!

Roy

I hope you get better soon. You have been so strong in all of this You will overcome this "bump in the road".

Dear Maki, fight for you and all the people who love you, your family and friends, and all of us, unknown far-away friends who support you with thoughts of love.

I'm sure all is going to be for the better, not easy, but you're a strong person...Whishing you a full recovery, take care of you :-)

Lot of love, Lucia

{HUGS} from Texas.

Take care of yourself. As has been mentioned already - many of us have followed you for a while and will be here whenever you feel like writing, regularly or sporadically.

Mostly, though, we are all hoping for the best recovery possible for you.

Take care and my most profound wishes are for your healing quickly and forever.

ps
You have an amazing talent for communicating the written word and flavors from the kitchen and your past experiences..

I am very sorry to hear you're going through this. Rest and recover! We all look forward to your food blogs when you're ready. And thank you for sharing your update.

Makiko-San,

I am a long time lurker on this site. You have been a huge help to me, as I am married to a Japanese man who loves and misses Japanese food. His mother & sister are back in Japan and unavailable to teach me how to cook it. I found your site a while ago and it has helped me immensely. Please know that you have people all over the world who care about you and are pulling for you. Take care of yourself, and know that there is a worldwide web... Of support!

Keeping you in the Light,

Caroline

Hang in there, Maki! Please rest, get strong, and write for us once you're better. You have a lot of fans supporting you.

牧子さん
いつも素敵なレシピと楽しい記事をありがとうございます。私は外国の方が作る「Bento」のブログを偶然見つけて日本風のお弁当の愛好者の存在を知り驚きました。検索の末、牧子さんのブログにたどり着き、ファンになってお弁当作りを始めました。牧子さんのブログに出会うまでは余裕のある時に冷凍食品でお弁当を作っていたのです。牧子さんのおかげで日本の食文化の素晴らしさを外国にいる方の角度から追体験することができ、私も楽しくお弁当を作るようになりました。ありがとうございます。そして、Just Bento cook bookを購入しようと思っています。

　ところで、お身体、お辛そうで心配しています。ぜひ、ゆっくりと時間を取って養生なさってください。英語苦手な私はまだまだ読めていない過去記事がたくさんありますので、それを読み進めてお待ちしております。
　英語があまり得意でないので日本語で失礼いたしました。

　お大事になさってくださいね。

頑張ってよ！えらい人ですね＾＿＾

Maki-- Good luck with your treatment. I will be thinking of you and wishing you the best.

Regards, James Arisman

so happy to see all the well-wishes from others here; I came to do the same. there is so much love for you out here in internet land. fight the good fight! you can do it Maki-san!!!

So glad to hear from you, Makiko-san, and to hear that you are feeling better. Take care of yourself, and I look forward to hearing from you again :)

Get well soon, Maki!

With Fall here, I'm definitely looking forward to some seasonal favorites once you're feeling better.

Dear Maki

It's good that your painful infection is somewhat abated.

I am hoping so much that the radiation fatigue is minimal and that you have the energy to do at least some of the things you enjoy.

As far as the blog - there is so much on here already! I looked back at your article about Jiro Dreams of Sushi the other day when I had the chance to see the movie. Your essays are always so intelligent and illuminating that they are a pleasure to come back to.

Best wishes and lots of love, Maire

I'm glad you're on the road to recovery. Just keep on taking care of yourself, that's what's most important!

I appreciate what you have given people with your site and with sharing news of your health. I hope you continue to improve and that the treatments go well!

Get well soon! Hugs

Take care of yourself, Maki. I sincerely hope you'll be better soon.

Wishing you well,
JT

Hi Maki,
Thank you for writing this update, I'm happy that you're doing better and I hope that all of the treatments go well and you make a perfect recovery! I've loved your blog for a long time, and I first heard about the English version of Cookpad through your post about it. I ended up working as a translator and reviewer for Cookpad, and I mostly review things, but whenever I'm reviewing one that I guess that you translated, I always feel kind of like I'm being too arrogant by making any changes to something translated by the writer of Just Hungry! I love the work, though, so I'm extra grateful for you and this blog :)
Please take care of yourself, we're all thinking of you!

Please take care. I hope you get well soon!

Dear Maki, Please just take care of yourself, that's the problem with we women. We always put everyone else first. So new slogan "Maki first, all else second" take care will definately start following you on Facebook.

Maki,

It is very encouraging to hear how you are sick, yet you stay strong. I pray for blessings for you, and a steady, complete recovery :)

Always remember to keep yourself focused on God! Take care.

Just wanted to say take care. I still refer people to your blog all the time! I feel like I do every day.

Take your deep-sleep naps. Everything else should be taken easily. I had radiation so know the aftereffects of exhaustion. Neverheless, the radiation treatment will help you and ultimately make you cancer-free and stronger. Your followers around the world wish for health for you. From the comments, you should feel the immense respect and love.

Much love to you, Maki. May this next round of treatment get rid of the disease, and may your body not be ravaged by it. xoxo

Makiko -

I have just "met" you tonight on Quora and greatly admire your very helpful answers regarding Japanese culture. Your website is so interesting! In 6 days I am going to Tokyo, so your insightful articles and now this food site are valuable.

Best of luck with your health problems, stay strong and hopeful!

Diane (USA)

Hi Maki,

Please continue to take care of your lovely self! I really enjoy your "voice" on the blogosphere and am excited about your new series of food-related topics.

Thank you! and others who translate the Cookpad recipes. I recently moved to Japan with a bunch of food allergies on board, which means I cook a lot! Cookpad has been so helpful! to me making use of local ingredients and enjoying variety in my meals.

I wish you well. I live with ongoing fatigue due to various health issues. Just take it one day at a time and enjoy what you can of what each day brings. I enjoy hearing the crows caw and the sun that comes in our large, well placed windows.

Sending you comfort and healing from Seattle! I hope you can take the time you need to recover. I love your blog and love your recipes. It always brightens my day.

Hello-

I hope you feel your best soon :) I found your website by clicking many different links online and your page is by far my favorite. I am happy to hear that you feel better to bring the page back to full force. Take good care of yourself.

Sincerely,
M.

Maki,

You are such a beautiful spirit and I love reading your blog/books not only for the delicious, easy-to-follow recipes but to take in your gracious, wonderful spirit. I am half-Japanese and want to connect more with my Japanese side and feel that cooking is great and rewarding way to do so. Your blog/books are invaluable and I hope you please please take rest and tend to your beautiful "garden." ;)

A life-long follower!

<3

Misa (Seattle but in Tokyo for the fall)

Hi,

For a while I didn't visit your lovely blog and I am not on Facebook so i was unaware of yr health problems. As a former cervix cancer patient I want to send you all my support and loving and I am so hoping you will get trough this latest radiation therapy without too much health loss and effort and naustiousness and stuff. I want you to know I really love your web site which I always visit to improve my Japanese cooking although I am doing that for more than 20 years now. Thank you so much for your lovely and elaborate recipes and tips and good luck to you and your loved ones. Take care!!

kind regards, Hester

Hi Maki,
Thank you so much for your blog. It´s always a pleasure to read your posts, but please, dońt forget to take care of your health.
I've been following you for years, and I'll still be there whenever you come back.
Have many restful naps !
See you soon !

Bises

Maki-san,
I've been a big fan of yours since I first read an article of your in the Japan Times. Just want to add to everyone's comments and tell you that you are amazing. You have that real fighting (がんばって）spirit. Keep doing what you love and it'll keep your mood up on tough days.
Please take care of yourself. I won't be able to have confidence to cook without you. God bless you.

Maki, your blog is truly inspirational. Your passion for Japanese food is infectious and everytime I visit Just Bento, my love for Japan continues to grow!

Surround yourself with support and love, I wish you all the best and look forward to many more knowledgeable posts from you!

With love,

Eva

Sending your way a lot of warm prayers and wish you a quick recovery! I am passing through almost the same, so, I do know how do you feel...
Take a good care of yourself and just believe, everything will be just fine!

love

Rina

Always loved reading through your websites.

I hope your health quickly improves.

Best wishes.

I love food which is why I've been reading your blog for years. I still visit your blog to find out how you're doing.

A favorite quote “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” – Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)

May I suggest a high raw vegan diet??

People with cancers have cured themselves with a high raw vegan diet.

Kris Carr diagnosed in 2003 with a very rare and incurable (yet thankfully slow-growing) stage 4 cancer. She's went on mission to find a cure and live. She did and is doing it everyday, and inspiring everyday people to eat and live better. Kris' site is http://kriscarr.com/

Chris Wark was was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer in 2003, at 26 years old. His site is www.chrisbeatcancer.com/‎. He beat his cancer, chemo-free.

I personally went vegan the year after my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011; she was 40 years old. I was 41yr, and I ate healthy already (at least I thought so, but I wasn't taking any chances). I wanted to make it even better. I gave up eggs which was the main animal by-product I ate.

Going vegan, a plant-based diet is focuses on whole plant foods: fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts and seeds, zero animal products (and not processed foods that were once whole foods). No meat, fish, butter, milk, eggs, cheese, gelatin or other animal by-product.

Consider this. The human body is able to repair/replace every cell.

Interesting Facts
Every 28 days, your skin replaces itself.
Your red blood cells, 4 months.
Your nails, 6-10 months.
Your liver, 5 months.
Your taste buds, 10 days.
Your lungs, 6 weeks.
Your intestines, 2-4 days.
Your hair, 3-6 years.
Your bones, 10 years.
Your heart, 20 years.
Your body makes these new cells from the food you eat.
What you eat literally becomes YOU.

Only our brain and eyes are the same age as we are.

Just try to imagine eating clean / alkaline-forming / plant-based diet for 30 days (I used 30 since it takes 30 days for a habit to form; it's enough time to gauge changes, how people feel etc). How the body is able to repair/renew our cells to be healthy, thrive and function as they should. Energy levels go up, clarity, people lose unhealthy weight. Symptoms disappear, and chronic illnesses (even cancer or your infection) can be reversed over time.

Cancer cells thrive in a acid body/environment. Eating a plant-based diet helps keep the body in an alkaline state.

Try green juicing which allows the phyto-plant nutrients, vitamins and minerals to be absorbed by the body.

Hugs from NY!

I am so proud of how you have dealt with your issues. I am praying that this will all be over soon and become only a distant memory.

Thank you for your continued attention to your web logs. Bento boxes are my favorite.

Happy Holidays and all the best to you.

Nan

Best wishes for a continued improvement; you suggest that you are in France where the medical care is first class.
After some years following Just Bento I found the link to Just Hungry and from there how to cook rice properly (my local Chinese wholesaler stocks "Japanese Sushi rice"). Arrigato

I just wanted to say, I love both your websites and I hope you feel better soon. You are doing great work. I've been using both your sites since discovering them just recently. Keep up the good work and the good fight!