(From Loren Amdursky, family friend)

To the Friends of Matthew:

I am writing to you to let you know that Matthew is back in Hopkins for an extended stay for very aggressive chemo treatment. He is expected to be in the hospital for the next 4-8 weeks, as the high-dose chemo regimen will require a bone marrow transplant with Matthew's own stem cells. This treatment has been expected since the summer, but that does not make it any easier. One parent will be at the hospital at all times and one will be at home with Danny.

Naturally, everyone is very worried, since the treatment carries a number of serious risks. Jaime will post updates to the blog when she feels up to it, but it may not be too frequent .

We will again be providing meals for the family at home (Carol Feder at (feder@comcast.net) to volunteer) and scheduling visitors to Hopkins (Yael Kane (ykane@jnf.org) at will be keeping the schedule). We understand that Matthew and parents will be allowed to have (healthy) visitors, as long as he/they feel up to it. I will continue to try to keep up communications as well as periodic requests for particular kinds of help, and Sabra Gelfond (sabra_g@hotmail.com) will be keeping a schedule of kid visitors and Danny's needs.

It means a lot to know that you are thinking of Matthew daily, and holding the family in your thoughts and prayers.

With warm wishes for happy holidays, peace and good health for us all,
Loren