Dear Steph,

I am writing this letter to you with blessings and love in my heart.  I beat
Cancer this past year, and after a couple of stent surgeries, I have been
getting better.  I have met quite a few people at Church who also beat the death
sentence, and we have been expanding.  This we can blame on Doctors like you.  I
must write to you and express my appreciation.  The following is the musings of
Santa Claus, who is quite busy this year.  He spent 3 days at Fairview Hospital
outside of Cleveland, Ohio.  This was a first for him, but as he explains it, he
was a patient twice during the year, and, because of the wonderful staff, floor
people, and volunteers, it was payback time.  Weather prohibited him from
visiting on Thursday and Friday.

On Monday, I entered with such a huge sack, I needed a wheel chair to wheel it
to the Pediatric Emergency where I was stationed for this week.  As I entered, I
was greeted by a very excited 4 year old boy whose sister was having breathing
problems.  I reached into my bag, and got a game for the boy, and went in to
visit the girl.  She was pale, scared, and trembling.  I talked to her for a few
minutes, and reached in and gave her a stuffed reindeer.  The sad face
immediately smiled.  In an hour I visited her, and was relieved to see quite a
lot of color in her face.  She was going to go home, but at the last minute,
they decided to admit her over night.  As I spoke to her, she asked if her
Mother could stay with her.  I exclaimed that I couldn't say NO, but I would
check with the nurse,  I went back and said "Of course".  Little brother was
excited, cause Santa would visit them this afternoon.  This began a slow line of
patients who came sad, and left happy with a toy and Candy cane.  At lunch, I
went through the cafeteria, and walked into the dining area, and after looking
over the room, I spotted a 4 year old with her Grandmother.  I walked up to them
and asked if I could join them for lunch.  You have seldom seen a face light up
so quickly, and brightly.  She had a story to tell to her family that evening.
The rest of the day went routine, except for a visit to the Pediatric Area.  Of
course I was welcome, and with only 3 patients, I only spent an hour with them.
Back to Ped ER to find a full house.  I visited children, and seniors, since the
two areass adjoined.  I met ladies who were ill, and was able to bring some
smiles from them.  Of course, the one lady who had just been diagnosed,
mentioned it to me, and was overwhelmed when I told her that I had been the
curse.  We talked for quite some time, and now she has a positive outlook on the
future for herself.  Tuesday was the dull feverish pitched of activity, but
during the day I met several physicians who treated me during the past year.  It
was a friendly and joyful reunion.  I did mention that I would be back on
Christmas morning to get an IV of 15000 units of insulin.  The ER Doctor stood
up and asked what for.  I told him it was necessary to counteract the cookies
and milk I would eat and drink during the night.  They loved that comment.

Yesterday, began slowly, but picked up and my bag of presents was getting
lighter by the hour.  After lunch, I was rushed up to Neo Natal.  Words cannot
begin to describe the thrill to Santa to pick up and pose with newborns between
4 and 16 hours old.  This put me into a high which could never be matched by any
pill you have in your pharmacy.  I also have to mention that I have 39,748
muscles in my body.  How do I know?  Each and every one of them singularly and
collectively ache. . .

Meanwhile, this has been the best Christmas week in my life, and like I told my
oncologist Tuesday, I couldn't be here if it wasn't for him.  I wish you
blessings and happiness this Christmas, and may you find a new reliable
treatment for the Curse.  I will do my best to work witih and consul people who
are afraid of the unknown, and hope that God himself notices it.  \

Well, HO HO HO, and all my love,

Grateful to be back.

Eddie MD OTF