7/12/10 – Has it been 4 months already. Boy does times fly. I had my scan today. I will see Dr. Goy in a couple of days for my results.
7/14/10 – I am VERY HAPPY to say that all is well. I can not thank God enough for my good health. I met with Dr. Goy. He was his normal great self. I think he takes great pride on how well I am doing. My next scan will be in 4 months on November 15th. I will get my results on November 18th.
In a few days it will mark the 2 year “anniversary” of me being diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma. It was July 17th, 2008 that I received the news of my condition. It seems so long ago. My family and I will celebrate this day with a trip into New York City to see the Broadway play Wicked. Last year on this day we also celebrated this day by going to a Broadway play (Billy Elliot). I think it is real important to take a bad day in our life and make it into a something positive, special and fun. Life is way too short to spend time thinking about down times. Besides, I am very blessed. I have great doctors, a fantastic family whom I love very much and a GREAT GOD who loves me so much that he surrounds me with his love and all these wonderful people in my life.
My next posting will be in November after I get my scan results.
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Graduation Day
3/8/10 – It sure seems like 3 months comes and goes very quickly. Didn’t I just do this? Well, I had my CT scans today. I am meeting with Dr. Goy on Friday March 12th to get my results.
3/12/10 – I met with Dr Feldman and Dr. Goy today. My scans are all clear. YES!!!!!!!!!!! If this news isn’t good enough I was told that I have graduated from needing to be scanned every 3 months to every 4 months. God is Good, God is Great!!!!
My next scan is scheduled for July 12th and my follow-up appointment with Dr. Goy is on July 14th.
Here are a couple of beautiful songs that can be a great source of comfort for anyone dealing with life’s challenges.
Carried Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKUV5rYFfk0
You Were On the Cross
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCPsZ-Vi6Ck
A Happy Easter to all.
My next posting will be in July after I get my scan results.
More to come… Peace
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
3/12/10 – I met with Dr Feldman and Dr. Goy today. My scans are all clear. YES!!!!!!!!!!! If this news isn’t good enough I was told that I have graduated from needing to be scanned every 3 months to every 4 months. God is Good, God is Great!!!!
My next scan is scheduled for July 12th and my follow-up appointment with Dr. Goy is on July 14th.
Here are a couple of beautiful songs that can be a great source of comfort for anyone dealing with life’s challenges.
Carried Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKUV5rYFfk0
You Were On the Cross
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCPsZ-Vi6Ck
A Happy Easter to all.
My next posting will be in July after I get my scan results.
More to come… Peace
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
Thursday, December 10, 2009
It Will Surely Be a Very Merry Christmas
12/7/09 - I had my CT scan today. I have an appointment with Dr. Feldman to get my results on Thursday, December 10th. It has been so great living a “normal” life again. I hope and pray that my results will continue to been great.
12/10/09 – I met with Dr Feldman and YES!!!!!!!!!!!! My results were perfect.
This is the best Christmas present I would have ever hoped for. I am truly blessed.
Truly... God is Good, God is GREAT!!!
My next scan is scheduled on March 8, 2010. I have an appointment with Dr. Goy on March 10th to review the results.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a
Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Here are links to videos of some great Christmas Songs. Enjoy
Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie & Bing Crosby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9KpNznVLlY
Mary Did You Know? - Kutless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC-b4mYFT1A
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Jack Johnson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzCrdQXKx1U
Silent Night - Mercy Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30o_QZnVBjA
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Third Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAxrF43DJvA
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Ian Anderson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAKjFxCx9SE
What Child Is This? - Neil Young & Ben
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM8lCIHsWz0
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yErhglOXIxM
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
12/10/09 – I met with Dr Feldman and YES!!!!!!!!!!!! My results were perfect.
This is the best Christmas present I would have ever hoped for. I am truly blessed.
Truly... God is Good, God is GREAT!!!
My next scan is scheduled on March 8, 2010. I have an appointment with Dr. Goy on March 10th to review the results.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a
Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Here are links to videos of some great Christmas Songs. Enjoy
Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie & Bing Crosby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9KpNznVLlY
Mary Did You Know? - Kutless
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC-b4mYFT1A
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Jack Johnson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzCrdQXKx1U
Silent Night - Mercy Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30o_QZnVBjA
Do You Hear What I Hear? - Third Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAxrF43DJvA
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Ian Anderson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAKjFxCx9SE
What Child Is This? - Neil Young & Ben
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM8lCIHsWz0
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yErhglOXIxM
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
What a Difference a Year Makes
9/9/09 - I had my CT scan today. I have an appointment with Dr. Goy to get my results on Monday, September 14th. I am feeling great. I feel that I am back to my old self. It would sure be if my results support how I am feeling.
9/13/09 – My wife Sue and I attended the First Annual “Celebrating Life and Liberty, Cancer Survivor Day” at Ellis Island thrown by Hackensack University Medical Center. What I wonderful event this was. We had the pleasure of seeing many of the people we got to know over the past year. Survivors and care givers all had a fantastic time together. Throughout the day there were many performances including three songs sung by one of my fellow Mantle Cell Lymphoma study patients, Jim Roth. He was GREAT! This event was the brain child of Dr. Goy. It is surely amazing how such a great doctor can also be focused on taking time to celebrate. Ellis Island, a place known for new beginnings, was truly a remarkable place to have such an event.
9/14/09 - I had an appointment with Dr Goy and Dr. Feldman. I was informed that my CT scan was 100% clear. I am still in remission! I just can not get over how blessed that I am. God is Good!
My next CT scan is scheduled for Monday, December 7th, 2009. I have an appointment to review my scan results with Dr. Feldman on Thursday, December 10th, 2009.
I will update this blog again after my December 10th appointment with Dr. Feldman.
More to come…
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
9/13/09 – My wife Sue and I attended the First Annual “Celebrating Life and Liberty, Cancer Survivor Day” at Ellis Island thrown by Hackensack University Medical Center. What I wonderful event this was. We had the pleasure of seeing many of the people we got to know over the past year. Survivors and care givers all had a fantastic time together. Throughout the day there were many performances including three songs sung by one of my fellow Mantle Cell Lymphoma study patients, Jim Roth. He was GREAT! This event was the brain child of Dr. Goy. It is surely amazing how such a great doctor can also be focused on taking time to celebrate. Ellis Island, a place known for new beginnings, was truly a remarkable place to have such an event.
9/14/09 - I had an appointment with Dr Goy and Dr. Feldman. I was informed that my CT scan was 100% clear. I am still in remission! I just can not get over how blessed that I am. God is Good!
My next CT scan is scheduled for Monday, December 7th, 2009. I have an appointment to review my scan results with Dr. Feldman on Thursday, December 10th, 2009.
I will update this blog again after my December 10th appointment with Dr. Feldman.
More to come…
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
Dealing with Challenges Life Brings Us
6/13/09 – On June 13th my parish celebrated its 30th Anniversary. A few friends on mine and myself, who call ourselves the “Hearts of Fire Band”, provided some of the evening’s entertainment. One song I was fortunate to sing is called “Bring the Rain”. My daughter Jill brought this song to my attention. She said “Dad, check out this song, its like you wrote it”. She was right on. I fell in love with the song. I truly believe it puts to words my philosophy on how I strive to deal with challenges life brings us. Check out this You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m17af0XmPFo
Here is a You Tube that explains the song in more detail:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVT2-vXXxME
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
Here is a You Tube that explains the song in more detail:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVT2-vXXxME
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
The Future is Looking Bright
6/5/09 – I had my CT Scan today. I have an appointment with Dr. Feldman to get my results on Tuesday, June 9th. I am feeling very strong. I just want to hear the words that I am still in remission. I wish I could fast forward time to June 9th and hear my results.
"Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith…… And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5: 7-10)
6/9/09 – Today was a very good day. I had an appointment with Dr. Feldman (Dr. Goy is in Europe sharing all of his excellent work and practices with the medical community around the world… what a great guy!). I was informed that my CT scan was 100% clear and that there is absolutely no sign of any enlarged lymph nodes. I am still in remission. Also, I am not showing any residual effects of my chemo therapy treatments. This is great news. I feel like I am back to full strength. Sure I need to exercise more… but who doesn’t? My scans were so clear that my next scans do not need to include a PET scan. It just needs to be a CT scan. I will only need a PET scan if there are ever any signs of enlarged lymph nodes in the future. My next CT scan is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9th, 2009. I have an appointment to review my scan results with Dr. Goy on Friday, September 11th, 2009.
My future is definitely looking brighter.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
I will update this blog again after my September 11th appointment with Dr. Goy.
More to come…
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
"Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith…… And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5: 7-10)
6/9/09 – Today was a very good day. I had an appointment with Dr. Feldman (Dr. Goy is in Europe sharing all of his excellent work and practices with the medical community around the world… what a great guy!). I was informed that my CT scan was 100% clear and that there is absolutely no sign of any enlarged lymph nodes. I am still in remission. Also, I am not showing any residual effects of my chemo therapy treatments. This is great news. I feel like I am back to full strength. Sure I need to exercise more… but who doesn’t? My scans were so clear that my next scans do not need to include a PET scan. It just needs to be a CT scan. I will only need a PET scan if there are ever any signs of enlarged lymph nodes in the future. My next CT scan is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9th, 2009. I have an appointment to review my scan results with Dr. Goy on Friday, September 11th, 2009.
My future is definitely looking brighter.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
I will update this blog again after my September 11th appointment with Dr. Goy.
More to come…
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Stewardship Witness Talk
On May 16th and May 17th I gave a stewardship witness talk at my Parish, St. Francis de Sales of Vernon NJ. Below is the text of the talk I gave:
Hi, my name is Rich Franco.
I am 48 years old.
I am a husband.
I am a father of two teenaged daughters and I am a cancer survivor.
Cancer survivor… I never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth.
Something else I didn’t expect was that in dealing with my illness, I would be touched by Stewardship in such a way that I would be willing to get up here and tell you about it.
In my 17 years as a parishioner I have always been a big fan of Stewardship.
After all it’s hard to find fault with putting to work the gifts that God has given us to help others.
Hey, I have been blessed with a great life…
· with my wife Sue.
o This year we will be celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary.
· I have two wonderful daughters, Jill and Alli.
· I have a very supportive family.
· And I have great friends… friends who would be here to help me with a second’s notice.
Life has always been good for me… so why wouldn’t I be willing to cheerfully share my Time, Talent and Treasure?
And this is not just talk on my part. A year ago my Stewardship included:
· Teaching Religious Education to 1st and 9th graders
· Helping with the development of a new Confirmation program
· Assisting with our Parish Website
· Filling in as usher from time to time
· I even found time to help a friend with Youth Music Ministry at another parish
· And yes, we always use our envelope to make our weekly contribution.
I would have gladly repeated my efforts for this year … but it wasn’t meant to be.
On July 17th I was given news that shook my world.
I was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a cancer that is known to be very aggressive and very resilient to treatment.
It was suggested that I get a second opinion from Dr. Andre Goy of Hackensack University Medical Center. He is one of the top Mantle Cell Lymphoma experts in the world.
Dr. Goy was in the process of working on a clinical trial for Mantle Cell in which he needed 18 study patients. He had 17 of the slots filled. After meeting with him he offered me the last slot in the study.
I truly felt God with me on that day.
Over the next 7 months I received chemo therapy treatments and struggled through a number of serious infections.
I could have never gotten through this without my wife Sue, who was by my side 24/7. My daughters and the rest of my family and friends were all just so supportive.
Even though I have cancer, I can not help but to think just how lucky I am.
Keeping a positive attitude, praying often and being strong for my loved ones was my main focus.
Me getting well… that was in the hands of my doctors and yes, God.
As my family and I dealt with the challenges of my disease, many of our friends here at St. Francis were there for us.
· People showed up at my house to mow my lawn, plow my drive way. I even had a group of teens and parents perform a fall clean up on my property.
· I received numerous phone calls, greeting cards and emails of encouragement and support.
· My family and I received countless offers to help us with whatever we needed.
· And the many prayers said on my behalf were simply amazing
I can’t even start to name all of the people who have reached out to me and my family.
But I must mention that Father Boland has been extremely supportive.
I would like to thank everyone here at St. Francis de Sales for all that you have done for me and my family during a very difficult time.
Now let me ask you a question.
Is what everyone did for me an example of Stewardship? Sure it is!
But this was a completely different view of it for me.
This time… I’m the one on the receiving end of it.
This made me begin to see Stewardship in a whole new light.
Stewardship is not just about us “cheerfully sharing our time, talent and treasure.
It’s so much more.
It’s about:
· Love
· Compassion
· Kindness
· Caring
· Encouragement
· Support
· Friendship
· Generosity
· And it’s about Prayer
Most of all Stewardship is about community.
It’s about being there for each other.
It’s about me needing you …
and you needing me.
And Yes, YOU truly are needed…
· YOU are needed to help the families struggling to make ends meet by supporting the food pantry and our Parish’s Emergency Reserve Fund.
· YOU are needed to help the person who just lost a loved one and needs help dealing with their grief.
· YOU are needed by the youth who needs help learning about our religion?
· YOU are needed as a Eucharistic Minister, a Lector, or a Music Minister to support our Liturgy.
· YOU are needed as an Usher or Minister of Hospitality to make everyone feel welcome.
· YOU are needed to help those struggling with illness by giving them your support, your encouragement, and your prayers…
And YES, the St. Francis community can help YOU
By helping you strengthening your faith through retreats, bible studies and other faith formation activities
There are just so many opportunities for you to help others and for others to help you here at St. Francis de Sales.
At some point you should check out our new and improved web site and see what Stewardship has to offer you and your family.
I guess I should finish telling you about how I’m doing…
Did I mention my strong belief in the power of prayer?
Well our prayers are heard …
And our prayers are answered.
On March 2nd I was told that I was in full remission.
I can’t thank God enough for his great healing power.
I guess I have a life time to show my thanks.
True, I will never know how long my cancer will be in remission. With my first follow up scans just a couple of weeks away, I know God will be there to carry me through them.
But as of right now I can honestly say that I’m back… and I’m ready to help in anyway that I can.
Please know that I am here for you if you need me.
I can also say, without any hesitation, that I know that you’re here for me and my family.
Let’s take a moment… to look at all the people sitting around us.
I ask you, are we all here for each other?
If the answer is “Yes”, then that’s truly what Stewardship is all about.
Thank You
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
Hi, my name is Rich Franco.
I am 48 years old.
I am a husband.
I am a father of two teenaged daughters and I am a cancer survivor.
Cancer survivor… I never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth.
Something else I didn’t expect was that in dealing with my illness, I would be touched by Stewardship in such a way that I would be willing to get up here and tell you about it.
In my 17 years as a parishioner I have always been a big fan of Stewardship.
After all it’s hard to find fault with putting to work the gifts that God has given us to help others.
Hey, I have been blessed with a great life…
· with my wife Sue.
o This year we will be celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary.
· I have two wonderful daughters, Jill and Alli.
· I have a very supportive family.
· And I have great friends… friends who would be here to help me with a second’s notice.
Life has always been good for me… so why wouldn’t I be willing to cheerfully share my Time, Talent and Treasure?
And this is not just talk on my part. A year ago my Stewardship included:
· Teaching Religious Education to 1st and 9th graders
· Helping with the development of a new Confirmation program
· Assisting with our Parish Website
· Filling in as usher from time to time
· I even found time to help a friend with Youth Music Ministry at another parish
· And yes, we always use our envelope to make our weekly contribution.
I would have gladly repeated my efforts for this year … but it wasn’t meant to be.
On July 17th I was given news that shook my world.
I was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a cancer that is known to be very aggressive and very resilient to treatment.
It was suggested that I get a second opinion from Dr. Andre Goy of Hackensack University Medical Center. He is one of the top Mantle Cell Lymphoma experts in the world.
Dr. Goy was in the process of working on a clinical trial for Mantle Cell in which he needed 18 study patients. He had 17 of the slots filled. After meeting with him he offered me the last slot in the study.
I truly felt God with me on that day.
Over the next 7 months I received chemo therapy treatments and struggled through a number of serious infections.
I could have never gotten through this without my wife Sue, who was by my side 24/7. My daughters and the rest of my family and friends were all just so supportive.
Even though I have cancer, I can not help but to think just how lucky I am.
Keeping a positive attitude, praying often and being strong for my loved ones was my main focus.
Me getting well… that was in the hands of my doctors and yes, God.
As my family and I dealt with the challenges of my disease, many of our friends here at St. Francis were there for us.
· People showed up at my house to mow my lawn, plow my drive way. I even had a group of teens and parents perform a fall clean up on my property.
· I received numerous phone calls, greeting cards and emails of encouragement and support.
· My family and I received countless offers to help us with whatever we needed.
· And the many prayers said on my behalf were simply amazing
I can’t even start to name all of the people who have reached out to me and my family.
But I must mention that Father Boland has been extremely supportive.
I would like to thank everyone here at St. Francis de Sales for all that you have done for me and my family during a very difficult time.
Now let me ask you a question.
Is what everyone did for me an example of Stewardship? Sure it is!
But this was a completely different view of it for me.
This time… I’m the one on the receiving end of it.
This made me begin to see Stewardship in a whole new light.
Stewardship is not just about us “cheerfully sharing our time, talent and treasure.
It’s so much more.
It’s about:
· Love
· Compassion
· Kindness
· Caring
· Encouragement
· Support
· Friendship
· Generosity
· And it’s about Prayer
Most of all Stewardship is about community.
It’s about being there for each other.
It’s about me needing you …
and you needing me.
And Yes, YOU truly are needed…
· YOU are needed to help the families struggling to make ends meet by supporting the food pantry and our Parish’s Emergency Reserve Fund.
· YOU are needed to help the person who just lost a loved one and needs help dealing with their grief.
· YOU are needed by the youth who needs help learning about our religion?
· YOU are needed as a Eucharistic Minister, a Lector, or a Music Minister to support our Liturgy.
· YOU are needed as an Usher or Minister of Hospitality to make everyone feel welcome.
· YOU are needed to help those struggling with illness by giving them your support, your encouragement, and your prayers…
And YES, the St. Francis community can help YOU
By helping you strengthening your faith through retreats, bible studies and other faith formation activities
There are just so many opportunities for you to help others and for others to help you here at St. Francis de Sales.
At some point you should check out our new and improved web site and see what Stewardship has to offer you and your family.
I guess I should finish telling you about how I’m doing…
Did I mention my strong belief in the power of prayer?
Well our prayers are heard …
And our prayers are answered.
On March 2nd I was told that I was in full remission.
I can’t thank God enough for his great healing power.
I guess I have a life time to show my thanks.
True, I will never know how long my cancer will be in remission. With my first follow up scans just a couple of weeks away, I know God will be there to carry me through them.
But as of right now I can honestly say that I’m back… and I’m ready to help in anyway that I can.
Please know that I am here for you if you need me.
I can also say, without any hesitation, that I know that you’re here for me and my family.
Let’s take a moment… to look at all the people sitting around us.
I ask you, are we all here for each other?
If the answer is “Yes”, then that’s truly what Stewardship is all about.
Thank You
http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/
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