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Today (October 2) has been busy and eventful. As further signs of Mayumi's progress, the doctors removed her epidural, so her pain medication will be administered orally from now on; they also removed the staples from the incision below her neck, the intravenous tube from her wrist, and the "A Line" from her shoulder. Results from the ultrasound have not been reported to her, but she says that the swelling in her left hand is getting better. The doctors detected a small amount of water in her lungs, so they will remove that in the next day or two.

When we met him in late August, her surgeon estimated that Mayumi would stay in the hospital for 10 to 12 days. However, because of the progress she has made, it is possible that she can leave the hospital and return home as early as Wednesday (October 4). That decision will depend on the results of tomorrow's x-ray examination of her reconstructed esophagas, and a test in which she will be given a small amount of water to drink.

A bouquet of flowers arrived for Mayumi at home today, from one of the companies she has worked for over the years. (The hospital does not allow patients to receive flowers in their hospital rooms.) They appear in the attached photo, along with some sent earlier by Mark's brother and sister-in-law, as well as a painting by Mark's niece. This photo will allow Mayumi to see what they looked like before our two cats attack them when I am not guarding them. They will also remind us of the many generous expressions of support--including cards, e-mails, fax messages and telephone calls--that she has received from so many of you during the past four months.