Sept 22 Day 149

Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't written in a while. They did confirm that I do have a blood clot in my left arm and are treating it by giving me blood thinners. They say I might be on the thinners for 6 months and that it might take a few months for the clot to disolve. Sometimes the clot never completely goes away. Two weeks ago I came down with shingles, which is a form of chicken pox. When you have chicken pox it never completely goes away and when your immune system is low, like mine, or when you get older, like me, you tend to come down with shingles. The chicken pox stays in your nerve endings until it comes out. Shingles are painful, they itch a lot, and don't rub or scratch them because when you do they really hurt! Mine are around my waist line and some down my left leg, so my pants rub them when I walk or actually move at all. I am looking forward to when they are gone!! LOL! Deb and I went to the American Cancer Society "Relay For Life" at the local college last Saturday. We didn't know what to expect because we had never been to one, and it was pretty emotional. People get sponsors and then walk the track around the football field to raise money for cancer research. The very first lap they do is for 'survivors', they call it the "Survivor's Lap". They really do it well too. Anyone who has had cancer and is still alive gets to walk along with their caregiver or spouse. You walk around the track for one lap and everyone else stands on both sides of the track cheering you on and blowing bubbles all around you. It was really an emotional time for me and I'm tearing up right now just thinking about it. We were part of a team that was put togther by Mary Bow, who we met thru church. Her daughter, Elisha, had brain cancer and is doing great now!!! I can't tell you how much seeing people like Elisha come thru cancer helps people like me who are still going thru it, it is a great encouragement!!! Way to go Elisha! We are now at my daughter's in Denver, enjoying a great visit and playing with our grandkids. They are so much fun we can't stand it. We are also planning on visiting Brian and his family but he has been working most weekends so it might be a while before we get to see them. I received email from some of "Ernie's Angels", they were Mrs. Puglia's fifth grade class last year who prayed for me every day. They are still praying and wishing me the best, and Mrs. Puglia said that her home room this year is praying for me too! She said that the number of "Ernie's Angels" is growing! Thanks to everyone who has or is still praying for me, it really helps, and God bless you all.
IN HIS HANDS,
Ernie