Schulz on the Mend

12/02/1998 at 12:00 AM EST

"Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz, diagnosed with colon cancer on Nov. 16, could be released from the hospital this week, says a spokeswoman. Schulz, who turned age 77 on Friday, has been undergoing chemotherapy at California's Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, his secretary, Edna Poehner, told the Associated Press. She added that the cartoonist, who has been "doing a fair amount of walking" at the hospital, has also been receiving a "mind-boggling amount" of cards and letters wishing him well.