I woke up around 6:30 am today, to my ninth day in hospital since I caught severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Glancing over at my roommate Xiao Huang, a 27-year-old employee of a Beijing software company, I saw he was also awake.

After a light breakfast, a nurse at the Changxindian Hospital in southwestern Beijing, a newly-designated hospital to treat confirmed SARS patients, took my temperature - 36.5 centigrade.

It seems I am now on the mend as my high fever has disappeared in recent days. When I was first infected, I spent four days with a temperature over 39.5 centigrade.

At 8:30 am, a nurse took a blood sample and an X-ray of my chest. Then started my daily routine of intravenous drips.

Lying in bed, I can smell the fresh air coming from the open window and, through a transparent door, I can see doctors and nurses rushing by.

Before the first bottle of drip finished, my wife rang me. I talked with her on my mobile phone which has become a major channel connecting me with the outside world. Several friends and colleagues also called me in the morning.

I am recovering and feeling great these days - no fever, no headache and no pain in the chest, which are symptoms of SARS. My slight diarrhoea is lessening since taking a new round of medicines yesterday. The doctor told me that I may be released from hospital in two or three weeks.

After lunch I took some slight exercise in my room and read books before another round of drips.

In the afternoon I usually sit quietly on my bed, meditate and enjoy the peace inside.

I received several calls from colleagues and friends after dinner. Their cheerful voices are my best medicine and I think I will have sweet dreams tonight.

(China Daily April 29, 2003)