It may be a while before my next blog update. I go into the hospital later today, and I'm not sure what I'll have on hand or how I'll be feeling. They estimate 95% of patients will get at least one bout of CRS (Cytokyne Release Syndrome) and 23% will develop Neurotoxity. I sure hope the war of the cells won't result in much collateral damage.

Yesterday Tuesday was a day of rest. I didn't have to go into the Clinic, and was feeling well enough to go on a drive up into the coastal Palo Alto hills. It's a really beautiful time of year out here. Polly drove us to several different preserves along Page Mill Road. I had to keep my HEPA mask on the whole time -- in the car and when going outside. At a few stops, I got out of the car and took a short walk. My strength has really declined, so I'm trying every little bit to keep my body moving.

I'm thankful to all my friends and family who are keeping me in their thoughts. I owe a special thanks and a big loving hug to my caregiver Polly who has shepherded me through this first phase of my treatment. I can actually give her a real hug since we've both been keeping isolated and masked any time we leave our Marriott refuge. Ironically, when Polly departs back home to Berkeley, I won't be able to hug her or my other friends for quite some time once I'm discharged from the hospital to home towards the end of May. Thankfully, Eva will take over as my caretaker for roughly 3 weeks as I prepare to return home. She'll channel all your virtual hugs.

Fiddlehead (Amsinckia tessellata), Arastradero Preserve, Palo Alto.
Bigleaf Maple catkins (Acer macrophyllum), Foothills Preserve, Palo Alto.
Overlook at Monte Bello Preserve, Palo Alto.