Charles M. Schulz, creator of Charlie Brown, his dog Snoopy and the rest of
the PEANUTS gang, has been diagnosed with colon cancer. The cancer was
discovered when the 76-year-old Schulz underwent emergency surgery last
Tuesday for a blocked abdominal aorta. Schulz' wife Jean said doctors are
determining the best course of treatment, which can include surgery, radiation
and chemotherapy. One concern for doctors is that Schulz, who turns 77 on
Friday, is still recuperating from the abdominal surgery. Since being moved
out of the intensive care unit Friday, November 19, Schulz has been spending
time with his family and resting comfortably. Considering Schulz works five
weeks in advance, he has created enough new strips to fill papers through the
end of the year and enough Sunday features to meet demand through February 14,
2000. Get well soon Charlie Brown.