UPDATE:

I am writing you from Singapore, where I find myself in a much more relaxed state of mind, and with a wireless internet connection right from the hospital room! Martin is doing much better, and although still weak, and tired, he is 'back to his chipper self' (as our boss says).

The doctors at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital are very capable, and taking excellent care of Martin; it is reassuring to know that he is in good hands. Thank you all for your thoughts and best wishes.



When we left Bali the doctors there had said that Martin had malaria, dengue, hepatitis, and liver damage... but they were confused about several of the test results. So, the doctors here, even as 'world-class' and capable as they are, still haven't figured out everything that is wrong with Martin. It appears that what was making him really sick was a mixed-malarial infection (which they are treating), but that may have also triggered, or been triggered by, something else. The dengue antibodies that they found in Martin's blood appear to be from the previous infections he had as a child (the doctors actually told us that there are only three kinds of dengue, and since he has had dengue three times already, he's only got one more to go and he'll be free of that worry!). The tropical disease specialist thinks that he has another type of viral infection, and they are still doing tests to check for that. The liver specialist says that although his liver function is still out of whack, it will improve with the treatment. In short, both doctors have said that Martin is going to be OK.

What a HOLIDAY! I have barely left the hospital for the guilt I feel at leaving Martin alone in the room with the wheezing, coughing, sputtering, grunting old man in the bed next to him, and screeching of his family members. I did escape to meet Lisa (a friend we met through our friend Cecilia, and hung out with on our first visit to Bali) for an Indian dinner last night, and to see the Harry Potter movie. I would buy the new book also, but it's an outrageous 53 Sing dollars here, so I think I can wait!

Funny thing is about this hospital... many people actually do come here on HOLIDAY!!! -- They book their hospital room like they would book a hotel room! And the options are wild: there are deluxe and superior rooms as well as suites (where the whole family can stay together while their loved-one gets whatever treatment they require or elect). Aaaahhh, private health care. Mount Elizabeth also happens to be situated in the midst of the posh "Orchard Road" shopping district, and room rates are competitive with some of the corporate hotels in the area, so hey, why not... visit Singapore, go shopping, and have a little surgery! Apparently many Americans are starting to do it... it beats the costs and the service in their own country, and the climate and shopping is world-renown!

They just moved us into a single room, which is much more comfortable, and now I can sleep on the couch!