February 28, 2005 The first report or update on Mark:
Mark's decision to go to Thailand is turning out to be a good decision. Even though it is private pay, it is turning out to be true that he will get the very best of care, at 1/5th the cost. He made an appointment with an oncologist for the day after he arrived in Thailand. He was at the hospital from 9 am until 8pm. seeing not only the oncologist but a radio-oncologist, an orthopedist and an infectious medicine specialist as he had developed an abscess on his elbow in some mysterious way. He had a battery of scans and tests: bone scans, heart scan with radioactive tag, blood tests, renal tests...and an IV with IV Rocefin. He is to get radiology every day for awhile as an outpatient, beginning right away, to shrink his esophageal cancer. There is the option of some laser cutting also. There is no talk of a magic cure though as some suspicious areas on his spine also.

More metastasis? One of his docs just arrived after 15 yrs at MD Anderson and is familiar with the experimental studies and drugs and treatments, as well as latest non-experimental treatments. He was greeted and treated like a king, escorted everywhere in the hospital which is apparently huge with a mall and restaurants. I have only viewed it from the outside and looked the lobby windows in the past and been impressed by how clean and how modern it is.
Mark's goal is to increase his quality of life and extend it as far as he can. I am less worried about him than I was. He accepts that he does not have long to live and I accept it too..however if he can have time to put his affairs in order, perhaps have a few more adventures while under good medical care, and to say goodbye it will be wonderful. I will be in Thailand March 7 to 21 unless I need to stay longer. If I come home, I will make a return trip perhaps 6 weeks later. Thanks for all your prayers and caring, betty