Hi. We just returned from a few days visiting Stephen's parents in Canada and I wanted to let everyone know that Dad is really doing well. I called the hospital from the airport on my way out (on Saturday, after writing that I would send another update when I had something to report) and someone else answered the phone. When I called Mom I found out that she and Dad had just gotten home! Then on Monday we found out that Dad's white blood cell count was at 9.9 (normal is about 5-10).

We are all very happy and hoping that you are enjoying the holiday/New Year.
Thank you.
Much love,
Dina

Ben's first snow.

Hi Everyone,

I am in Delaware and can report that Dad is doing really well and looks
great. He spends his free time reading, working, and walking around his
ward. We are all very excited about his progress and looking forward to
his next break from the hospital - probably in another two or three
weeks (late December). After a few weeks of recovery at home in January
we think that Dad will be coming back to the hospital for a
mini-transplant. I will talk more about the transplant once we know more
about it.

The difficult news for the past two weeks involves several deaths in the
family and the death of a close friend. Dad's father died Thursday
night. He was a wonderful grandfather to all of us and we are very
saddened by the news. There was a memorial service held for Gramps in
Chicago today and my brother, Elie, was able to attend. We were very
fortunate to have a service at the hospital in Delaware as well and we
really want to thank Gene and everyone else who came and/or helped for
making today possible. Dad read a beautiful statement about Gramps,
which I've included below. I wasn't able to keep from crying so I
couldn't see Dad but he read beautifully. Dad was only able to stay in
the room for thirty minutes and had to wear a face mask and robe, which
made his presence even more special for all of us. Almost a week ago to
the day, Dad's aunt (his mother's sister) and one of his best friends
from Madison died. None of my immediate family was able to attend either
service but we were there in spirit. Although the mourning process is
just beginning, we feel that Dad's health is looking very promising and
his positive attitude is contagious.

Below is a picture of Mom and Dad from Dad's time at home prior to the
second round of chemotherapy. Mom and Dad now walk around the ward and
play card games at night. It's very cute. Thank you again for all your
support. So far this round of chemotherapy has been much easier on Dad
and we are all very grateful. Keep thinking positive thoughts about his
white blood cells coming up.

Much love,
Dina

ps My talks and workshop went well and I'm really happy to be getting a
little more sleep. Ben is recovering from his third ear infection but is
very happy with his new ability to crawl. His favorite things include
electrical cords and the cat food. We are searching for interesting
replacements but haven't had much luck, suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you Stephen (Ben's dad) for taking off from work to watch Ben
during my conference, workshop, and visit to Delaware.

---

Dad's reading from today.

To everything there is a season and a time for every
purpose under the heavens;
A time to live and a time to die.
So now it is Bernie's time to go to an eternity of rest.
For us, the living, we have primarily our memories to recall him.
To me he was a wonderful father, generous and loving.
From as far back as I can remember he instilled the use of reason in me.
He confronted my mischief not with physical force or
anger, but with words.
His advice was sought by many of my friends.
From college through marriage, he was a constant correspondent,
Writing about the family and politics and asking about my work.
I have happy memories of fishing trips, of vacations,
and of long conversations with him.
Like all of us he had his faults, also,
But my primary memory is of a wise, loving, and generous father.
I loved him dearly and always will.
May he rest in peace.

---

Mom and Dad on a walk in November

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick message to say Happy Holidays and to let you know that Dad is doing well.

More when we have something to report.
Much love,
Dina

ps The days are off for updates 13 and 14.

Ben getting ready to travel...

Hi Everyone,
Dad had a difficult day on Friday to one of the chemotherapy drugs but the doctors responded very quickly to his needs and he was able to finish his second round. The difficult effects of the chemotherapy generally occur 7 to 14 days after it begins so Dad will be entering that range late Monday night. As of this morning he was still feeling pretty good. My new understanding of the chemotherapy is that the drugs kill off the good and bad cells and that it takes a long time (up to 30 days on average, longer for what Dad went through in the last round) to start creating new white blood cells again. It has also become very clear to us that you really need all your blood cells functioning to feel energetic. I know that this sounds simplistic and that we all understood it on some level before but it really is evident from seeing Dad with really low blood counts and with higher blood counts. Right now his white blood cell counts are still high enough for him to have some energy but the counts should be falling back down to almost zero in the next few days which means that Dad will be really tired and he will also be unable to fight infection on his own.

We are all very optimistic about this round of chemotherapy and we are very encouraged by how quickly the doctors reacted on Friday.

Thank you again for all of your support.
We really appreciate all of your good wishes.
Much love,
Dina

ps Now is a great time to send a card or letter or picture to Dad so it gets to him during the next difficult phase. We all love to hear how you are doing and we greatly appreciate your stories. It's a good assumption that Dad will not be able to check email next week so please start sending things to him through the mail or to me by email (I print them and send them out).

pps This week and next week are a little bit more hectic for me so I apologize for not getting this email out yesterday. Our large geology conference started on Friday and I am giving a talk on the last day, Tuesday (this is the first time the conference has been over a weekend). On Wednesday I am helping run a workshop for three days where I will also be giving a talk and running sessions. The workshop ends on Friday and I will then fly back to DE to see Mom and Dad for a few days. Thank
you very much for your patience.

Hi Everyone,
This is a quick update to let you know that Dad is back in the hospital and doing well. After several hours of waiting on Monday he started the second round of chemotherapy around 9 or 10pm. His white blood cell count had gone up to the 6000's and he was feeling more energetic.

Please continue to send your best wishes. We are all very appreciative of your continued support and we're hoping that this round of chemotherapy is a lot easier on Dad.
Thank you very much!
Love,
Dina

ps Hand washing is incredibly important for protecting Dad from viruses and bacterias.
Even Ben is learning to wash his hands at daycare... (Ben is on a small stool and one of his teachers is helping him, the poster in the background gives instructions, in picture form, for washing hands)