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This morning (September 28), the hospital staff removed the ventilation tube from Mayumi's throat, one day later than originally forecast. Her surgeon was concerned that persistent swelling around her throat could make breathing difficult, and decided to leave the tube in one extra day. It was very uncomfortable, and made it impossible to speak, so Mayumi was relieved to have it removed, at last.

Of course, there is some lingering discomfort in her throat, but according to her surgeon, who stopped by around 4:00 p.m. to check on her, that is to be expected. In addition, her attempts to sleep are often interrupted by some coughing; but she has been assured that this is normal and, in fact, good, because it helps to clear her airway of mucus.

In spite of these irritations, Mayumi is calm and resting quietly. Paradoxically, she is benefitting from the fact that this is her second stay in the same hospital in the past three months, so she is already familiar with the flow of activity surrounding her, and the periodic interruptions that she has to put up with by the vigilant hospital staff, who, when they are not administering medicine or trying to make her comfortable, spend alot of time monitoring her vital signs, keeping records, and staring at computer screens nearby.

We continue to be very touched by the numerous expressions of support that she has received from friends and family this week. Most of them arrive by telephone, fax, e-mail, or the US Postal Service. But one of the most inspiring was delivered in person by a woman from India whom Mayumi barely knows, and who I only met for the first time when she stopped by yesterday morning, rang the front doorbell, and introduced herself as a neighbor who conversed with Mayumi a few times when Mayumi was out walking along her street. Knowing of Mayumi's impending surgery, she decided to fast for two days, in addition to praying regularly on Mayumi's behalf, so she wanted to reassure me that "There is nothing to worry about; Mayumi will be fine." Between her prayers, and those of the Jesuit community at Holy Cross, and those of our own (Unitarian) church's ministers and congregation, God is being called by many names, so Mayumi is pretty well covered!