Veteran Manager Battles Pancreatic Cancer, Reveals Prognosis to Daughter Anna Tsuchiya
Tokyo, Japan – Mayumi Tsuchiya, the longtime manager of actress Anna Tsuchiya, has revealed she is battling pancreatic cancer and was initially given a prognosis of just one to one-and-a-half years to live. The diagnosis came after experiencing persistent stomach discomfort, a condition that ultimately led to the finding of a 5cm tumor.
the situation began last June when Mayumi noticed a strange feeling in her stomach. “It feels strange…3 liters,” she recalled, referring to the astonishing amount of digested liquid found to have accumulated due to the tumor narrowing the pylorus, the stomach’s outlet. While annual stomach tests had been conducted, the cancer’s location behind the stomach delayed its detection. doctors subsequently diagnosed her with pancreatic disease.
Despite the grim prognosis, Mayumi, 67, is determined to fight the illness. “I don’t think I’m a person who’s going to die that easily,so I’m going to fight,” she stated. She initially withheld the news from Anna, fearing it would impact her work, finally telling her daughter ten days after receiving the diagnosis. Anna’s reaction was one of profound distress, offering to donate her own pancreas – an offer Mayumi gently dismissed as medically impractical.
Mayumi is currently undergoing treatment,which includes draining accumulated fluids from her stomach via a nasal tube and receiving intravenous fluids,as she is unable to drink. Chemotherapy, administered weekly, has caused internal bleeding and swelling in her arm due to her narrow blood vessels. The treatment has also led to significant hair loss, prompting her to shave off her long-cherished dark hair, a source of pride for many years.
Anna Tsuchiya, reflecting on her mother’s strength, described a sense of acceptance and a shift in perspective. “Now 60 years have passed, I’m breaking down what she treasured…I thought it was fine to have only one year left to live. I’ve already started switching to the next level,” she said. She emphasized her continued presence is a testament to her mother’s enduring spirit: “If I’m here, I’m alive. Just go with the support of the people who are alive.”
Mayumi has managed Anna Tsuchiya for 16 years and remains dedicated to supporting her daughter’s career, stating she has no plans to retire unless explicitly told she can stop.
