Post by SFX on Oct 5, 2011 9:09:07 GMT -4
[shadow=grey,left,300]"An Irish Blessing "[/shadow]'Click'Here>www.andiesisle.com/ThisBlessingIsForYou.html
- Dedicated to "Frank Cassidy", from The 20th Maine Company B Volunteer Reenactors -
- Dedicated to "Frank Cassidy", from The 20th Maine Company B Volunteer Reenactors -
From: Katherine Cassidy
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2011 11:00 AM
Dear Frank's Friends, near and far -
We haven't sent an update in a month, and friends have been asking about Frank recently. Each day is a challenge now -- but that comes after yet another series of trips and travel in September to see more friends and family. September for both of us was even better than August was, but the balance of October may shape up differently.
We did a Labor Day trip, gone for a week, down to Virginia and Delaware, to see family, including Frank's younger brother John. That was incredibly good. We also saw the rest of Frank's family at his niece's wedding at Bear Mountain State Park, New York, on Sept. 23.
And although we didn't talk about it at the time, we also traveled to Glasgow, Scotland from Sept 13-21. Frank wanted to see our friends Vevanne and Paul one more time. She had been our matron of honor at our wedding in 2003, and we spent Christmas with them in both 2005 and 2007. Frank was adamant that we schedule our trip around Sept. 17, the date of Paul's investiture as rector of St. Ninian's Episcopal Church in Glasgow. The Scots sure know how to do things right. It was wonderfully formal, complete with a packed church anxious to meet their new priest. We are so glad we got to spend that special occasion with them. Our Scottish trip also included an incredible day trip to the Isle of Cumbrae, where we discovered a tiny Episcopal cathedral. We just felt so right being back in Scotland, which we have come to know and love together. The photo below is of Frank at the very special Cathedral of the Isles at Millport.
Frank is such a great traveler. He really thrives when we are on the road, wherever we are. I love that in him. We spent tons of time seeing the streets of Glasgow and its fabulous buildings by foot, bus, train and subway. Great city, it is. I am so proud that Frank could make this trip, and that he made the most of it, too.
But, he hasn't bounced back well. We had a positive CT scan on Sept 7, which showed that the chemo of June-July-August had kept his cancer from progressing too much. But we take that news as bittersweet, because our chemo regimen is merely about buying time, at this point. We are simply astonished at his longevity, since we learned the news of his tumor last Nov. 16. Hard to believe that it's been 10 months. We have said to each other that it's been an astonishing 10 months, full of love, living and learning. It's certainly been the best 10 months ever, of our nearly 10 years together.
Now, however, it's time to call on Down East Hospice. We meet with the coordinator today, and will also talk about getting a skilled visiting nurse involved. Frank hasn't wanted Hospice care until this point, and I argue that perhaps I need it more than him. Whatever. We have agreed to take this step together. His need for pain management is simply beyond anything I can do for him at home.
Meanwhile, I got him to the emergency room at Down East Community Hospital yesterday for five hours of fluid replacement. We cannot say enough good about the wonderful care there. The nurses and doctors are tremendous. Frank went in as a hurting pup, and by the time we left, he was revived and telling Navy stories from 40 years ago to the Navy-guy in the next bed.
Several of you have suggested we make use of the Caring Bridge website as a way of communicating. We have a page, www.caringbridge.org/visit/frankcassidy. But don't sign up to be notified of new entries just yet (or else you will receive 100 separate messages). I am back-filling it with the 188 near-daily emails that we have used to inform our families of Frank's journey from the start. It's not all there yet, but I'm adding them as fast as I can. Do know that I'll start putting in our updates daily and regularly, so it's there if you wish to know more, as we go along, in between these community emails.
On Friday at 10:30am, I will be part of a panel of caregivers at the fourth cancer conference - "There is Hope for Cancer in Washington County" - in Machias, at the Pellon Center. Believe me, I will have plenty to say. Most of all, we appreciate everything that our friends have done for us, along the way. We could not have gotten this far without you.
with love and gratitude,
Frank and Katherine