Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Since it has been two months without Nicole it occurred to me that some people who follow this blog have never seen her obituary. I thought as heartbreaking as it is, I would post it. Below the obituary are some points we can all use in dealing with death and grief...I found them to be helpful.

                                                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xwzItqYmII
Nicole Joy Pisani Frame and Robert Louis Frame

FORT MONTGOMERY - Nicole Joy Pisani Frame, 27, died on Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at Westchester Medical Center surrounded by her family. She was called to Heaven to be with her son, Robert Louis Frame, who died in the womb and became an angel on September 19, 2011. For 21 days, Nicole fought for her life and the life of her unborn son as she unknowingly led people around the world on a spiritual journey of faith, hope and love as they prayed and hoped together for a miracle.

Born in Mount Kisco on March 6, 1984, Nicole was the loving daughter of Louis and Debbie Pucci Pisani. She graduated from John Jay High School in 2002 and attended Iona College and Seton Hall University.

Nicole courageously dealt with Cystic Fibrosis every day of her life. She, her family and her friends worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She lived her life according to the CF quote "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

On July 28, 2006 in North Carolina, Nicole married the love of her life, SFC Robert W. Frame (US Army). Upon his return from his deployment to Iraq, Nicole and Robert were joined in Holy Matrimony at St. Columba Church on December 29, 2007. Earlier this year, Nicole was blessed with a miracle: her life-long dream to become a mother became a reality.

Nicole had Cystic Fibrosis, but it did not have her. She had a tremendous love for life, her family meant the world to her, her marriage was her joy, and her pregnancy was the gift she wanted to give all of us, but most importantly to her husband. Through her suffering these last days, she brought the world together in prayer and united us all as one family in Christ.

Nicole is survived by her husband, Robert; her parents, Lou and Debbie Pisani of Hopewell Junction; her sister, Tina Pisani of Hopewell Junction; her grandparents, Joseph R. Pisani of West Park and Rose Pucci of Hopewell Junction; her mother and father-in-law, Walter and Kathleen Frame of Albertson; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Meghan and Kevin McKenna of Wappingers Falls and Michael and Melissa Frame of Freeport; her niece, Erin McKenna; her nephew, John "Jack" Michael McKenna; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her grandmother, Joan L. Pisani and her grandfather, Albert V. Pucci.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate that memorial donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2975 Westchester Avenue, Suite 204, Purchase, NY 10577 so that CF will no longer stand for Cystic Fibrosis, but for Cure Found.
www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.





Listen with your heart.
Helping begins with your ability to be an active listener. Your physical presence and desire to listen without judging are critical helping tools. Don't worry so much about what you will say. Just concentrate on listening to the words that are being shared with you.
Your friend may relate the same story about the death over and over again. Listen attentively each time. Realize this repetition is part of your friend's healing process. Simply listen and understand.

Be compassionate.
Give your friend permission to express his or her feelings without fear of criticism. Learn from your friend; don't instruct or set expectations about how he or she should respond. Never say, "I know just how you feel." You don't. Think about your helper role as someone who "walks with," not "behind" or "in front of" the one who is mourning. Allow your friend to experience all the hurt, sorrow and pain that he or she is feeling at the time. Enter into your friend's feelings, but never try to take them away. And recognize that tears are a natural and appropriate expression of the pain associated with the death.
Avoid clichés.
Words, particularly clichés, can be extremely painful for a grieving friend. Clichés are trite comments often intended to diminish the loss by providing simple solutions to difficult realities. Comments like, "You are holding up so well," "Time heals all wounds," "Think of all you still have to be thankful for" or "Just be happy that he's out of his pain" are not constructive. Instead, they hurt and make a friend's journey through grief more difficult.
Understand the uniqueness of grief.
Keep in mind that your friend's grief is unique. No one will respond to the death of someone loved in exactly the same way. While it may be possible to talk about similar phases shared by grieving people, everyone is different and shaped by experiences in their own unique lives.
Because the grief experience is also unique, be patient. The process of grief takes a long time, so allow your friend to proceed at his or her own pace. Don't force your own timetable for healing. Don't criticize what you believe is inappropriate behavior. And while you should create opportunities for personal interaction, don't force the situation if your grieving friend resists.
Offer practical help.


response to a blog: 
I just read your latest blog post and the tools for helping others cope with grief.  As you know, grief is a very personal journey for each person and anyone who grieves does so from their own perspective.  My only frame of reference for significant loss is the loss of my father and my in-laws.  The points you posted are right on target.  I remain amazed by the faith of your family.  Your decision to grieve publicly, as difficult as it is, is helping many people see what true faith is all about.  I see your family as one who is facing a harsh reality head on, is not in denial, and in their humanness is showing world that they are trusting in the Lord to carry them through.  Anyone who knows you would take this pain away from you if it was possible.  I pray for you and your family every day.  I ask the Lord to provide you peace and comfort and to heal your hearts. 

Keep on keepin’ on.  The prayers will continue.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Monday night

Today is two months without Nicole...it seems impossible that two months has passed...and yet the heartache is so deep that it feels as if we have been sad forever. I know this was a bad day for me, I couldn't more forward, couldn't go to work today. Did a lot of crying and reminiscing. I promise myself tomorrow I will make a huge effort to get out of this slump I have to...I'm human...it has nothing to do with my faith. I have my faith, I know she is happy and healthy. I'm just sad to my core and I miss her so much. Please God I pray, to remind me of the gifts over the grief...my blessings have been more than most. I am for ever grateful.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sunday

This weekend has been very emotional for us,because it was rich with traditions that are now changing. 
Typically we would have on black Friday put out all the Christmas dishes, Saturday or Sunday cut down the tree, had dinner together and our first cup of hot cocoa of the season. These things may sound so trivial, but for us it was something we always looked forward to. 
 One thing about Nicole and Tina they got excited about everything we did as a family.
don't take the things you do for granted, kids notice and love tradition.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturday

Every year, the weekend after Thanksgiving we cut down our Christmas Tree. This is Nicole last year making the first cut. We couldn't bring ourselves to go this weekend.

 Look at that smile...she loved everything about every tradition and memory we created. We are so blessed to have so much to look back on. I  spend most of my free time looking at our family pictures and the Joy our girls bring to us.
Maybe next weekend...or the weekend after that.... God will guide our hearts, for Tina we will make new traditions and   bring Nicole's spirit with us...

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving Day

Yesterday of course was bitter sweet, at first Lou and I were going to stay alone. But we knew that would be the worst thing we could do. Some family members came to our house for our traditional Thanksgiving dinner. We went to the cemetery as a family and many tears were shed. We would give anything to have her here with us. We talked about her, we laughed about her, we cried about her. She was with us in spirit all day, as she is everyday...but as we all know.... nothing will ever be the same.
 After dinner I spent some time alone reflecting about the day, about life. Our blessings have been many. I have to be truthful that I hate Cystic Fibrosis, but I also love Cystic Fibrosis, what does that mean? The disease stole time from us with Nicole, but the disease taught us so much about life and what is really important. We didn't just learn this after her passing, this has been a life lesson that Nicole has portrayed to us everyday. Every moment, every breathe matters, not only for what we do for our selves but for what we do for others. This disease taught us more about life than we could have ever learned on our own. We never take anything for granted because we know that the day God gives us is the only day we have...tomorrows are not promised. I count my blessings for my life and the love of my husband and daughters, my family and friends,my faith and trust in God's plan for me, for us.
                                  
Remember to LOVE YOUR LIFE it is a gift.  Thank God for it.                                       

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wednesday

One day away from thanksgiving,and I can't help but go back to last year. For the 28 years we have been married I have done all the holidays...happily...I love to have them and the girls always got excited for the decorations and the traditions we created. Last year Nicole asked if she could do Thanksgiving since she was now in New York. Wow...taking my traditions and making them your own?! Sure, I was glad to have her do it and she made everything perfect down to the smallest detail as you can see in the pictures at her house. She was excited and proud that she pulled it off, she poured her love into it and we could all feel it. As Lou and I looked around at all she did, we could not help but feel proud of her efforts and that she held onto all the traditions we taught her. She lived these experiences as a little girl and now as a young woman and wife she was caring on the traditions for us.This year will be heartbreaking without her, but I will try and continue to hold her close to my heart, for as a mother knows, they are never far no matter where they are. Thank you my ANGEL for all the gifts
                                                  ~everyday I count my blessings~


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

update on Brooklyn

Update on Brooklyn:
Tina got a call from the specialty center. The TAP showed no evidence of lymphoma which means it cannot be treated with oral medication. Basically it narrows down to two options 1. a palliative approach where we keep her on steroids and keep her comfortable until it is clear shes in pain and suffering... or 
2. cyber knife radiation therapy or a newer option which will be available in December AutoLitt (laser guided destruction of tumor in an MRI suite). As of right now we are going with option 1. We will speak to the Drs. again in December regarding the AutoLitt.
Please continue to pray for Brooklyn she is the sweetest dog in the world and we would love to save her.

Friday, November 18, 2011

friday night

Today was another triumph over anxiety...leaving the house.It sounds crazy but it is difficult to leave and go anywhere.I did go to work again today, I was distracted by the work I had until a favorite patient came in and asked me how I was....tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. He new it was serious and came right over to me, I could hardly believe the words that came out of my mouth "Nicole passed away" Oh my God, I have not really said that, it took the wind out of me and we sat for a while and I explained what happened. He filled up with tears but as I spoke about her, this overwhelming happiness started to take place of the sadness. I had tears but they were of joy and gratitude.I started to explain how blessed I was she was mine, how God chose me to have her in my life...in a few minutes I was consoling my patient but I felt peace. That can only come from God, God is allowing me my grief but constantly reminding me of the gift he let me have for 27 years. She always belonged to him...I was privileged to have her for the time I did. And I don't take that for granted for one minute.
After work my dearest friends took me to lunch, they have been trying for weeks. I agreed today and I was glad I did, although I can hardly talk about anything but Nicole, friends are supportive and allow you what ever you need. They were just happy I came out and so was I, it was long over due and much needed therapy. In time I will be better company, I will talk about the things of interest and chuckle out loud, but when your with people who are feeling the same pain as you, its ok for now to just be sad.
The loves of my life
Everyone knows that the human heart is fragile, no doubt, but God knows that and through his grace he heals us and makes us able to handle what we believe to be devastation. Anyone who has been stricken with grief knows alone we are not able to handle the pain, but with God's infinite love all things are healed...even the broken heart of a mother.