Dear Family & Friends,

We are moving to Palo Alto this Sunday, Oct. 22. Barry will be in the hospital for pre-treatment (total lymphoid radiation and ATG, a monoclonal antibody) until Saturday, Oct. 28. The next week he has more radiation and the actual transplant, like a transfusion, will be on November 3. All of the rest of his treatment will be outpatient, unless he falls ill due to infection. We will be living in Palo Alto, right across from the hospital, for approximately 100 days post-transplant. During that time, Barry will be spending his time either at the Cancer Center or in the apartment, or taking walks. His visits with people (who might carry germs) are going to be extremely limited, as infection could lead to Graft Versus Host Disease, and we do not want that to happen.

Please do not send flowers or plants, as they are forbidden. Barry will be on a low-microbial diet (everything cooked, no take-out or restaurant food, no dairy). I am not sure yet if people living close by can cook for us, but I will be in touch after we’re settled in.

Barry is keeping a journal at http://www.agauchepress.com/. If you want to submit, click on the email under Contact.

We are extremely optimistic about the outcome of this transplant. The donor is a twenty year old woman who has not been pregnant — Barry calls her his inner trophy wife.

Much love to all,

Bonnie