Monday, December 19, 2016

An Early Christmas Present… My PET Scan is Clear

12/19/16 – What better way to kick off the Christmas season than with the news that the PET scan I had today was all clear and that my MCL is still in remission. I met with Dr. Goy today and you can truly see the joy on his face when he is giving great news like this.

Whenever I am asked what I want for Christmas my standard response is always:
Peace on Earth”. Saying this I am thrilled with this fantastic early Christmas present.

Now, I won’t lie… I absolutely love celebrating Christmas. It’s a time to be with friends and family, to spread love and cheer. It is a time for us to rediscover our inner child and a time for charity, kindness, goodness, peace, love and joy.  AND… it is a time to be Santa Claus to others… and Santa, he sure is one heck of a guy… he is really the only folk hero we have who's male, doesn’t carry a gun, and is all about peace, joy, giving, and caring for other people… BUT even Santa would tell you that Christmas is not about him. Santa brings presents to well behaved girls and boys as a reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ.  In truth… Christmas itself is really about a big present that God gave the world over 2000 years ago - Jesus!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

As for getting back to my health update… I have my next follow up on January 24th to see where I am with MDS. I also have a follow up PET scan scheduled for June’17.

And back to Christmas cheer… one of my favorite lines from a Christmas movie is when Buddy the Elf says: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” (from the movie “Elf”). Below are YouTube links to some great renditions of Christmas songs that you are sure to Enjoy.

“Heart of Christmas” by Matthew West

“Jingle Bell Rock” by Jeremy Camp

“Noel” by Chris Tomlin featuring Lauren Daigle

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” by Mercy Me

“Joy To The World” by The David Crowder Band
  
“Angels We Have Heard On High” by Third Day

“Go Tell It On the Mountain” by Pentatonix

For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
Luke 2:11-14

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

2 comments:

John said...

Rich - Congratulations!!! Best wishes for continued blessings and clean check-ups!! So happy for you guys - and you look great! Missed you at the HUMC/JTCC event this year, but we had a conflict, and I needed to be with the family.

Miss you guys, and wish you a most Blessed and Merry Christmas!!

Love,
The O'Briens

Rich Franco said...

Hey John, Thank you so much. Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year to you and your family. Maybe this will be the year that we meet up for a beer and a burger.
Rich