Post by SFX on Nov 6, 2011 13:51:11 GMT -4
[shadow=grey,left,300]"An Irish Blessing "[/shadow]Blessing>www.andiesisle.com/ThisBlessingIsForYou.html
- Dedicated to "Frank Cassidy", from The 20th Maine Company B Volunteer Reenactors -[/color]Frank's Journey>www.caringbridge.org/visit/frankcassidy/journal[/size][/center]
From: Katherine Cassidy [mailto:katherine.cassidy@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, November 04, 2011 5:32 PM
Subject: Cassidy's: Looking toward Thanksgiving
Friday, November 4, 2011
Dear Frank's Friends,
Just another chance to catch up with Frank's news. It seems like so much has happened in the last two weeks or so, which contrasts considerably with days like today ... when the late-afternoon hours can't pass quickly enough and
the day just drags, for both of us.
Frank is doing well, considering that it's been a year exactly since Nov 3, when a local doctor told us Frank's blood counts looked amiss.
Once a CT scan at Downeast Community Hospital revealed a tumor on his pancreas on Nov 16, our lives just turned upside down. What a year it has been, since. None of us thought he'd still be with us, and Frank didn't even think he'd see his 61st birthday last June. But, by the grace of God, we made it. Still, today doesn't feel like a celebration. Frank is tired, and I also am tired. Maybe it's just today ... tomorrow, and the coming week, will likely be more festive.
For Saturday, we look forward to seeing friends at the Veterans' Day Dinner at the Elm Street School (at 5pm) put on by the East Machias River Day committee members. Next Monday or Tuesday, we turn in our absentee ballots (Frank never misses a vote). And next Friday, we hope to make it to UMM's breakfast for veterans on Veterans Day. We went to both events last year, knowing nothing about the challenges that lay just ahead. Today, now that we have received so much medical care and good from the Department of Veterans' Affairs, we are ever grateful the VA, and for veterans and the service they gave to our country. I know Frank is very proud he was in the Navy from 1968-72. Every time we drive to Togus for his chemo -- he wears his Seabees ("Can Do") cap.
Even better, we await -- probably on the afternoon of Fri, Nov 18 -- what I'm calling "The Anniversary Concert." Gene Nichols and the UMM Ukuleles have offered to come play for us in our living room. How wonderful is that!!!
Then comes Thanksgiving week. Frank can't stop talking about our plans to spend time with both his family (in New York) and mine (in Connecticut) over several days. Even though Frank has his weak and tired days and nights, he is so positive about making it to Thanksgiving and beyond. I love his plans and determination. As for bringing in the hospital bed that I mentioned in our last note -- Frank flat out rejected it, so the order was canceled.
We were sad last week during chemo when the doctor said his bilerubin levels had risen (indicating unwelcome impacts on his liver), and a bit of jaundice appears to have set in. But yesterday's better news is that the liver-levels seem to have held steady and not worsened. Oh, this living day-to-day and
week-to-week sure has its moments.
Clearly, no two days are the same. On our (fairly) good days, we will fly Frank's American flag at our front door. And on the less-than-wonderful days, we won't put the flag out. It's how we can share our ups and downs with our friends and community. Frank received more than 60 postcards, notecards and letters from you, after I asked in the last email. He LOVED
them - and truly appreciated all the phenomenal caring. Your notes, humor and letting him know of **your** days are going, were just tremendous. Thank you, each of you. (We are still at the same address, if you still wish to write him).
We had another wonderful highlight, too, last week. Frank's son George and his family, including a 2-year-old and 2-month old -- also named Francis -- drove in from Iowa. We had dinner one evening with George, Charlie (of Bangor) and their wives -- and Frank was with his two sons for the first time in a dozen years. It was beautiful - an absolute high point of our upside-down 2011.
with love and gratitude,
Frank and Katherine>katherine.cassidy@gmail.com
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