Hi. I've been told that the Festschrift was a huge success and I can't wait to see the video. Dad, unfortunately, was not able to attend. He had a fever of 104 on Friday and although it is back down, there are still concerns. I am assuming that he will be starting another round of anti-fungal drugs tomorrow and I will write again when I know more. Mom and Elie attended the dinner. Each of the participants stood up and talked about how they met Dad and the work they've done together. I was told that it was wonderful. There aren't words to describe how lucky I feel and how much I appreciate hearing about it - thank you. Attached is the final slide of Roberta's talk (I hope it was okay to distribute).

Thank you again and much love,
Dina

Hi. This weekend Dad's colleagues are holding a Festschrift (see definition below) for him in Delaware. There are about 50 people flying in for a full day of presentations on Saturday. The plan is for him to leave the hospital to attend. We are all very excited and I wish I could be there!

Here's to a great weekend.
Love,
Dina

Festschrift - A volume of learned articles or essays by colleagues and admirers, serving as a tribute to a scholar. ETYMOLOGY: German : Fest, festival; see fest + Schrift, writing (from Middle High German schrift, from Old High German scrift, from scr ban, to write, from Latin scr bere).

Here is the image of the logo used for the event. My cousin David painted it for my father a while ago and it hangs in his office at home.

Benjamin playing with his Thomas the Tank Engine trains on his new rug. His love of Thomas is really quite amazing.

Hi. Shortly after I wrote the previous update, Dad started to run a fever and went back into the hospital. The fever broke yesterday and the doctors performed a biopsy on the mass in Dad's lungs today (Dad was previously on IV drugs to reduce the mold in his lungs and after significant progress was made he was put on an oral anti-fungal that may have stopped being effective). We are now waiting to hear what the doctors find. Dad is resting and continues to be in good spirits.

We continue to focus on the positive and thank you for your best wishes.
Love,
Dina

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Benjamin and Uncle Elie practice yoga. Benjamin now mentions his uncle every time he does downward facing dog.

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Benjamin goes ice skating for the first time. We are looking into double blade (bob) skates for our next trip to the rink.

I'm afraid that I don't have good news. The chemotherapy to fight the lymphoma is not working and we are waiting to hear about alternative options. Dad is having some difficulty talking, due to the tumor in his throat, but is otherwise in good spirits. He spent part of today in the garden, which is beautiful as always (see the picture below of Dad and Benjamin from our visit two weeks ago). Benjamin is now helping in our garden and some of his strawberries are just starting to get ripe.

I will send another update once we have more information.

Thank you.
Love,
Dina

ps We had a great visit the other weekend to celebrate Benjamin and Dad's birthdays. I'm now about 7 1/2 months pregnant and will not be flying back to the east coast until after the baby is born.

Dad, Mom, Stephen, Benjamin, and I watch the Andean Condors in the rain at the Brandywine Zoo.

Dad tells Benjamin about one of his herb gardens before we left to go to the airport.