Jan 2

I am humbled. I have had people from all over the country email me just to say they are praying for me! That people would do such a thing, for someone they don't even know! And guess what! Mrs. Puglia's 5th grade class at Desert Christian School in Lancaster, Calif. is praying for me too! Unbelievable!!! Wait, it is believable isn't it? It's pretty much what Paul explained to us in Romans 12, we all have something to do for Jesus, we just have to do it, and then live a life that Jesus would be proud of! Its almost as if God's plan is working!!! Go figure!
I only got about 4 1/2 hours of sleep last night but still feel great. Do you think it's coincidence or maybe all that prayer? Thank you all soooo much! My counts this morning were better due to the tranfusions I received last night, so I don't have to have another one today. They have been having trouble drawing blood from my catheter so they have been sticking me with needles, but still I'm feeling good. So far I've been blessed with how my body actually feels, but there is still time for it to get worse. Deb went to the doctor today and she isn't feeling well so she didn't come down. It was really hard not to see her, and she still wanted to come, but now isn't the time to take chances. My sister Mary woke up sick this morning so none of them could come either. I should have told you that my brother Dan's family has been sick as well and haven't been able to come. I know it's hard for all of them not to come, but believe me I really appreciate it because I just don't want to get sick now!!! I did, however, get to spend the day with my daughter, Dana, and we had a great visit. I haven't seen the outside world for almost two weeks so I put on a mask and Dana and I went to the waiting area and sat looking out the windows for a while. (You can't see outside from my room) It was beautiful! We could see all the way across the valley to the hills on the west side, the trees swayed in differing shades of green, and even the people looked great! That beats 4 walls anytime! Not that I'm complaining, my walls have pictures of my grandkids and cutouts that they made for me, they are beautiful too! The nurses have been letting me take showers too! (or maybe wanting me to! LOL!) They tape a plastic bag over the catheter that's on my chest and in I go. Boy that feels good. I wouldn't want to have to take a sponge bath very often, but it beats nothing, right? I don't remember if I said that my catheter will most likely come home with me until this is all over (about a year). At least I don't have to take Baxter home!!! LOL!!! Did any of you see that Boise State / Ohlahoma football game Jan 1? Wow, that might have been the most exciting game I've ever seen! My fighting Irish are playing I think tomorrow, but they haven't done well in bowl games lately. I just lost half the women who read this, right? LOL! I think I'm going to get to see two of my grandkids tomorrow, Hailey and Aiden. I can't get near them and I have to wear a mask but at least I'll see them in person. Did those women come back? Yeah! Not being able to hold my grandkids has been the hardest part of this whole ordeal. I remember how they fit in my arms, how the little ones snuggle their faces into my neck! Oh well, only about two more weeks, hopefully. I want to take time to shout out to all the people at the LAUSD transportation branch at all the garages and FMO. Thank you all for your prayers and emails, I love them and I'll answer every one (the emails, not the prayers! LOL!) I know FMO sounds like one of the medicines that I've been taking but its our Fleet Maintenance Office and they have a bunch of good people working there. I have had the privilege of working at every garage except Gardena, but I have worked with a lot of their people at other places. I miss you all and hope to see you again soon. No really, I'll see you soon!
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie