To My Fellow Card Collectors (with a warm thanks to my fellow Cracker Jack collectors

[RichR]

I have been fighting melanoma cancer since 2013 and after some headaches and partial vision loss I had a MRI on Monday which revealed I have 4 tumors in my brain. Doc says it is incurable and estimates I have around six months. I'm going to stay optimistic and fight it though!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this board! You all treated me very well over the years!

Needless to say I'll be selling off my collection so that my wife and daughter (please put them in your prayers) can have the money raised. Bummed I missed the REA auction!

I'll be posting the actual cards I will be selling on the eBay auction section here. I have a bunch of moderns and I'm only 2 cards away from a complete set of the 1915 Cracker Jacks (Jackson and Johnson).

Thanks again all!

Rich Rockwood

[h2oya311]

Rich - terrible news, but I'm glad to hear that you have your priorities straight (despite the prognosis). My prayers are 110% with you and your family!

Stay strong! God bless!

Derek

[buymycards]

Hi Rich,
I'm sorry to hear about your bad news. It really makes me realize how unimportant cards are in the overall scheme of things.

I'm glad you have your family with you.

Rick

[ullmandds]

oh man Rich...I'm sorry to hear such sad news. MY thoughts are with you and your family...your avatar piqued my interest in old coins when I first saw it!

[tiger8mush]

Rich, sorry to hear of the news

How young is your daughter? Did she ever show an interest in any of your cards? Does she follow baseball or have a favorite team?

I looked thru my notes and back in '07 you got a 1914 CJ Heine Wagner Lionel Carter from me, then in '11 it was a CJ Zeider. Perhaps if you make a quick post of your cards, you could get strong offers from folks here so u don't have to share profit with ebay? Understandable though that time may not prohibit that path.

Glad to hear you are fighting cancer with a positive outlook. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. You will always be a part of the net54 family

[dougscats]

Rich,

I've never dealt with you, but you hit me in the heart.

You and your family are in my prayers.

Doug

[Leon]

Rich, stay strong and our prayers are with you and your family. There are new types of cancer fighting methods being learned every day. We will be here for you as much as we can. And in that respect, don't worry about the BST. I think we can do better for you. Don't sell stuff on ebay before you try it here and on this main page. It's management approved. We can all come together a little bit to help one of our own.

ps....if ebay is your choice for the cards we will make sure everyone on this board knows about them

[gregr2]

Rich,

Really sorry to hear this, stay strong. As Leon stated there are new breakthroughs happening everyday, keep the faith.

You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.

Greg

[Bpm0014]

Although I do not know you, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Stay strong!

[jason.1969]

I'm sorry, Rich.

[scooter729]

God bless you and your family, Rich - your friends here at Net54 will keep you in our prayers every day.

Scott

[rjackson44]

god bless stay strong

[iowadoc77]

Rich,
I also don't know you, but know what cancer can do to families. Thank you for sharing your reality here. You and your family will be in my prayers every time i look at net54 (which is a lot, haha). Stay strong and I will pray for a miracle that only God can provide. Blessings to you and your family
Eric

[bn2cardz]

A prayer has just been said for your family.

[RichR]

Wow thanks all!

[clydepepper]

Rich - My thoughts are with you as you go through this difficult period. Being fairly new to the board, I don't think we have communicated before and that's my loss. I hope you find the strength to cherish every minute you are given.

Remember to loosen up before you go...I hear they are short on relievers up there!

God Bless You & Yours

[gnaz01]

Rich,

My thoughts are with you and your family during this time. Remember Philippians 4:13, as that gives me strength EVERY DAY to endure. Prayers going out this morning!!

Greg

[T206Collector]

Your post shows a tremendous amount of courage and love. Sell your cards here - let us all see them! - and I'm sure you'll realize exceptionally strong prices!

Stay strong. Think win.

[GehrigFan]

Rich, like so many others on this board, I , too, will be praying for you and your family. I pray you will be led to the best group of doctors and best care, will find solutions that destroy the doctor's initial prognosis for 6 months, and for peace and compassion for your family during this time. Live life to its fullest and pour yourself into your daughter's life.

Blessings,
Mark Anderson

[RichR]

Thanks all for the kind words, thoughts, an prayers. I'm a lucky guy! Shot just consider I don't think I have ever met any of you in person before.

A few notes:

A generous person here made me an offer I couldn't turn down for my Cracker Jack set so I think that is taking care of.

I did watch the 60 minutes show that some of you referred to but I forgot to ask the doctors about it but I will today during my appointment.

I do have a few cards from the 50s and 60s that I'll try and list later today in case anyone is interested.

[mark evans]

Both my granddaughter and her best friend are cancer survivors. One never knows. Take care.

[peterb69]

Rich, best wishes for you as well as your wife & daughter. I really hope you try to beat it and win as other posters have done.

I myself had 2 spots melanoma cancer removed from my back 2 years ago. I think both were found early enough and I appear to be cancer free at this point. I can not imagine if it were me starting this thread.

Stay strong, fight the cancer, and maybe in a couple of years you'll have the opportunity to buy back your favorite CJ card from that set.

[curtis-cards]

Sorry to hear the news. My prayers are with you and your family. Also your team of doctors. Peace be with you.

Curt

[egri]

I'm so sorry to hear the news Rich. My thoughts and prayers are with you. And keep in mind one of my favorite Churchill quotations: "Never, never, never give in."

[mrvster]

God Bless you....you courage alone brings a tear to my eye...

many prayers will go your way..your fortitude is just incredible

[RichR]

Hi all I'm still around They have me taking a new drug called Kaytruda - finished my third cycle (treatment) two weeks ago and thankfully it has little side effects.

I had a brain MRI yesterday and meeting with the radiation doc tomorrow to see how they are progressing and have a PET scan next week for the lung cancer.

*SOLD* I also found a 2008 Etopps Allen & Ginter Yankee Stadium Tribute 11 card set in my closet. If anyone would like I'd sell it for $80 which includes S&H.

Rich

[clydepepper]

Rich-

We have not had occasion to either meet or do business here on the forum...and I feel that is my loss.

Net54 has been a safe haven of sorts for a lot of us.


Tell 'em to let you take the Cracker Jacks with you!


Godspeed young man

-Raymond



v

[Shoebox]

My thoughts will be with you and your family. Best wishes that you may yet win this fight!

[tiger8mush]

great to hear from you Rich, good luck on your Dec 12 surgery!

[yanksfan09]

Best of luck to you!

[dougscats]

We pray for you.

[veleno45]

God Bless you and your family Rich.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Rich so sorry to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. You probably already know about this, but I saw an incredible piece on 60 minutes last week about new miracle cancer treatments for brain cancer using modified viruses that get injected directly into the tumors that break down the so called shield protecting the tumor from the immune system thereby allowing the immune system to kill the tumor. They've had incredible results with many cancer docs saying this is the biggest break through ever witnessed. Human trials are ongoing, praying that you can take part in something like that.

I'd like to give you 25% above vcp value for one of your cards as a small token.

Wishing you all the strength and bravery in your fight.

A.J.

[orly57]

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

Rich so sorry to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. You probably already know about this, but I saw an incredible piece on 60 minutes last week about new miracle cancer treatments for brain cancer using modified viruses that get injected directly into the tumors that break down the so called shield protecting the tumor from the immune system thereby allowing the immune system to kill the tumor. They've had incredible results with many cancer docs saying this is the biggest break through ever witnessed. Human trials are ongoing, praying that you can take part in something like that.

I'd like to give you 25% above vcp value for one of your cards as a small token.

Wishing you all the strength and bravery in your fight.

A.J.

I feel the same way. Post them here at 25% over and many of us will gladly donate the extra 25% to your family. Your post touched me. I am truly sorry for you and your family. Stay strong.
Edit: i just realized this post is over a year old and you thought at the time you only had 6 months to live. Keep up the fight my friend.

[Moonlight Graham]

Rich, prayers are immediately on the way for you and your family! Don't ever give up my friend.

Joe

[yanks4]

Rich.....Amazing thinks are happening all the time in this field....... all the best..Marty

[rainier2004]

To the guy that got me into Cracker Jacks...

Kick it's ass Rich, hang in there and thoughts and prayers will continue to go your way. We are all proud of ya buddy.

[DanP]

Rich, I don't even know what to say. I'm praying for a miracle for you.
I was going to mention the same info as A. J. just posted. Hopefully you'll check into it if you haven't already.

Dan

[conor912]

Rich,
We've never met, but your post speaks volumes to your character.

Wishing you and your family the best.

Conor

[slipk1068]

Praying for you and your family.

[barrysloate]

Rich- it's a testament to your inner strength that you can come on the board and discuss frankly your medical condition. I don't think I would be able to handle it so well. Do everything you can for yourself, and keep a positive attitude. I know we will all be thinking of you and hoping you will receive some unexpected good news.

[Jobu]

Rich, I wish you the best of luck --- keep fighting my man!

I imagine you have been thoroughly exploring all of your options, but I also saw the segment that AJ mentioned and thought I would save you the trouble of finding the link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polio-ca...-scott-pelley/

I agree with the others - if you need to sell your cards please post them here first as this community will be happy to help you out.

[Cmount76]

Be strong and those around you will be strong along with you. With that kind of strength, anything is possible.

[Eric72]

Hi Rich,

As a fellow cancer survivor - and yes, you ARE a survivor - I welcome you to PM me at any time to discuss what you are going through.

Initially, I wrote a long-winded entry to this thread which was meant for all to see. However, I ultimately decided it would be best to simply post the first sentence to let you know that I am here for you and leave it at that for now.

I truly hope that you are (relatively speaking, of course) doing well and hope to hear from you soon.

Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Best regards,

Eric Perry

[Dario7707]

Thoughts and prayers goes out to you and your family. Keep fighting my Brother.

[Jcfowler6]

May the Great Physician find it in His will to perform a miraculous healing on you Rich. My prayers are with you as well.



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[EvilKing00]

My prayers are for you and your family rich

[PSACJ]

Rich,

I wish you nothing but the best brother!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andy M.

[RichR]

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to give everyone a quick update.

So after having radiation done a second time on the two brain tumors* without positive results my doctors decided to reach out to MD Anderson to discuss other possible treatment options and they recommended a non invasive brain surgery option

So after a 3 month struggle with the insurance company (MD Anderson is out of network) I was finally able to met with the doctor and now will be in Houston for the week of Dec. 12th. to have the surgery.

If anyone is curious here is a link to the MD Anderson site that discusses the surgery and a podcast which goes into the procedure in more detail.

https://www.mdanderson.org/treatment...l-therapy.html

A big reason for this post is that I really want to help spread the news about this surgery as the news about it has not spread widely among the cancer community and it looks like it has broad positive implications for anyone with almost any type of brain cancer. So if you know anyone who is dealing with brain tumor issues please pass this information along and/or have them contact me at focusinvestor at yahoo dot com.

Thanks again all!

[JasonD08]

I have been blessed to be a part of a miracle and pray that God continues to keep one going in your life! You are a warrior and will have a true testimony to leave others. May God give you healing and peace Rich.

Jason