BANGLADESH

Humayun Ahmed took up his pen for the first time on Friday since his chemotherapy session ended on Sep 24.

The famed writer was showing the usual effects of undergoing chemo and had lost his appetite, said Mazharul Islam, his publisher.

Also the chief executive of Anyaprokash, a major publishing house in Dhaka, Mazhar told on Saturday evening that Humayun Ahmed was in good spirits considering his situation. "He even painted a little bit with water colours yesterday."

The Anyaprokash CEO has been attending to the writer in New York. He has been living with the writer at a three-bedroom apartment in Jamaica, New York along with Humayun's wife Meher Afroz Shaon and their two sons.

Mazhar said the writer has been spending his time in leisure getting lots of rest. "He has not ventured outside so far in his condition. He spends time watching television and playing with the kids around the house."

"The loss of appetite has naturally resulted in some weakness."

When asked if Humayun has taken to a particular show, Mazhar said, he mostly watches the Bangladeshi channels that are quite available in New York. "Sometimes he will watch the occasional movie. But that's about it."

The next chemo cycle, which usually takes about 48 hours, will begin on Oct 6, said Mazhar.

Humayun Ahmed flew to New York on Sep 13 after he was diagnosed with colon cancer during a regular check-up at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital earlier that month.

The celebrated contemporary writer is undergoing treatment at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre at Manhattan where he will have to undergo at least three more chemo sessions before doctors decide on the next course of action.

According to his attendant, Mazhar, the doctors have not yet ruled out anything and it will depend on how the writer responds to his current treatment.