Chapter Five: Sayonara, My Dear Friends Summary and Analysis

Sadako, her mother and young sister went to Sadako's school on February 20, 1955, the day before she was to enter the hospital, to say goodbye to her friends. They promised to visit her. In just a few days, her condition had worsened. The main culprit was the incurable advanced state of malignant acute marrow leukemia which deteriorated Sadako's condition at a rapid rate. Her treatment included constant blood transfusions and cortisone injections to keep her white blood cell down. It was a costly treatment schedule and cost over $4,000 in one month. The average Japanese worker earned only $1,900 per month. A month after she entered the hospital, her teacher who was also a physician arranged for her to attend a class party. She looked forward to seeing her friends again. She smiled for...