Transcription of Document FFDoc-1251.pdf

Monday - Sept 20 - 71

Dear Mom, Dalys, Tergesens & Scotia Shieldses:

I'm omitting the Joe Shieldses & the St. Jacques because I'm trying to get 3 copies out of one writing & it looks like that 3rd one is going to be a bummer - may have to be discarded! So am asking Gen to share with Betty & Joe families.

Thought you'd like to be brought up to date & don't really know what you last knew about Leo's progress. But to back-track: he was going into Portland each Thursday for an intravenous injection of some drug that's pretty powerful - could only be given if his white corpuscle count was a certain amount & we didn't know what that was. At any rate, he'd have the count taken here in the AM, bring it with him in the PM and get a shot. Then he'd be laid low, groggy, sleepy, aching, & spend most of the days in bed. When he'd finally get a little spirit & force himself out of bet on & off, it would be Thursday again and we repeated the whole process. It was pretty discouraging. A one point he began running 104 temperature & I could keep it down over the weekend with cold sponges and aspirin but did have to consult with dr. finally. Decided it was probably a urinary infection so he's been taking antibiotics for over a month. ( They gave out yesterday, again & rather than get another prescription we're waiting till he sees Dr. C next Thursday.)

His white count climbed steadily from about 3500 to 8900 & by the time we really thought the drug program would be scrapped. But the doc said it was perfect, what they were waiting for, & gave him a double dose about 3-4 weeks ago. That really did it - he barely got out of bed except for meals, seemed to fall in & out of sleep quickly and easily, sometimes didn't know a dream state from a wakeful one (upon awakening) & we kidded about sending him to Augusta. Then the white count dropped quickly each week so he could have no shots & 2 weeks ago went to 1,000! So he hasn't been to Portland in 2-3 weeks. Meantime, without the drug, he's steadily become more "alive", though there are still days of being tired. If you know Leo you should know he's forced himself many times. A week or so ago he finally got to doing some paper office work each day (even if on his back on a chaise lounge in the living room)., on my birthday he forced himself to be up all day so he could go to the special town meeting that night - he did! - it was a short one but he carried it off well - strong voice, erect posture, & little limping on the stage. Of course coming down 2½ flights of stairs was a chore but we managed it gracefully! There are times when he comes up 3-4 steps by bending over & using his hands to support himself  - but he wants to do it alone so we just watch!

In the past month he has managed a number of things he felt strongly about (as he did Frank's wedding) at great physical expense, because sitting has been so uncomfortable; so is walking around for any amount of time. He went to Tommy Landers' wedding reception for about an hour, and then Saturday evening managed to be at Gary Baldwin's church weeding and reception - about 2 hours in all. One day last week he went to Dover with Jeanne to change a wedding present I bought Gary, & even managed a small bit of grocery shopping. Days or nights like this wear him out but we tease him into getting up for breakfast by 9 or 10 AM and the past few days he has really seemed stronger even tho we know he "pushes". One thing that has helped is that he has finally given in, after doc's orders, & we have been pretty faithful in pushing the pain pills every 3-4 hours.

Today has been unreal!! he was up for breakfast when I left at 10 AM - went back for a brief rest & has been up steadily ever since doing office work & it's now 11:30 PM. He's never looked so good, or so natural, working here at the table for hours in the evening, and no complaints - it's the biggest morale booster we've had in months - & it makes us dread Thursday - we presume his blood count will be good enough for another injection and maybe we'll be back to the all-day in-bed deal. But then, if we're fortunate, it may be an up-&-down deal! Either it may result in some positive changes, or it may last long enough for new successful treatments to be on the horizon. We're not being unrealistic - just hopeful!!

One thing does hurt - Leo hasn't been to the office for anything that could be considered even part-time since the middle of June. As you may remember, nomination papers must be in by Thanksgiving & he does intend to "run". His statement one night to his folks was, "I don't have long to live & I intend to die in office." He later admitted to me that he couldn't be town clerk without ever appearing in the office even tho' he kept on top of what was happening. And this past week he's told several people that we would be back in the office, at least a few hours a week, in another week or so. Considering today, I could believe it - but we have the drug therapy again this week (we hope?) and wonder if he can follow through. If he can't run, it will really be traumatic but, I swear, he won't show it!!

Aside from our "woes" things are pretty usual. Reen & Mitch are making special efforts on studies so far - Reen because she's a senior & needs to make a better showing this semester if she wants to get into Elliot Nursing School in NH next year - Michelle because her last 2 years have been close to disaster!! Jeanne had a summer-intern job in my office, enjoyed it tremendously, is reported as having done an excellent job. Right now she's following a few leads in hopes of a permanent job & while waiting for employment is housekeeper and nurse. After graduation, during her job, and since she's been "unemployed" she has also taken on a re-decorating job and painted every ceiling & wall on the first floor!!

We miss Pat!! Don't know if any of you saw it - but she's struggled over the past year and is a really different person. I could go on forever about her but can't take the time to do it well. No matter what, she's the one of our gals who has the most to offer and I hope the day comes when she can recognize this!

It's 1 AM & I've been at this two hours - have got to go!!

Our love to everyone, particularly "Gen" whom I've really neglected. God bless her!!

Somebody! - write soon!!

Love, Leo & Dot

PS. Think about you folks often - enjoyed the boys being around briefly this summer, as did our gals. Your weekly greetings are well received. Keep us in your prayers, as you are in ours.

Love D.