Dearall,
Assome of you may know my tenure in China was cut short when probable lung cancerwas found. I have since returned to Thailand to undergo further tests. Theresults of these tests are as follows.
The diagnosis:
The Chinese diagnosis was correct. Anadvanced stage of lung cancer was found.
The prognosis:
Theprognosis is quite favorable. The condition should be treatable with targetedmedicines, Quality of life should improve with the treatment of the illness.Being relatively healthy and fit should help in the healing process. The doctor’swords not mine. At the moment I haveapproximately 50% of my lung capacity which doesn’t hamper or restrict mynormal life style, although speaking for any amount of time is exhausting andthe recovery time is a lot longer than I would wish.
Options:
Returningto China for treatment is for many reasons not an option.
Stayingin Thailand is an option but, immigration will become a problem. Beingdependent on Thais for help may also be a problem.
Returnto The Netherlands. Very good health care, I speak the language, I should beable to get health insurance, I should be able to get somewhere to live,hopefully sheltered accommodation or a nursing home.
Returnto the UK
Conclusion:
Atthis moment in time the logical thing to do, I think, is to go back to Holland.Should this for whatever reason not work to my advantage, the UK is always anoption, although the thought of going back there leaves me cold. I will leaveThailand for Holland on April 12th. subject to flight availability.
Inclosing, I would like to thank Weifang University for their help during thisperiod and express my apologies to my students, that I was unable to saygoodbye to you all.
Tomy Chinese friends, I hope my condition will improve enough, to allow me toreturn to China in the future to see you all.
Allof you take care,
Richard

虽然没见过这个可爱的老头儿，绊绊磕磕看完这封信还是多少能体会一些你的难过，因为，很真诚，虽然年纪很大，虽然是外国人，但是看他说话就好像一个很熟悉的老朋友，跟你说，我生病了，我要回去治病了。都说英国产绅...

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