Mr Info Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 This post is a shout out to long-time Bills fan and board member Rick Schibetta aka TheMadCap http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/user/411-themadcap/ . Many of you have interacted with him on threads here and on TSW. Rick is originally from Fredonia and many of his family are still in WNY. Work eventually brought him to the Richmond area and he has been working here professionally for a while. Last year he became ill and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (ALL) and treated at the VCU/MCV Medical Center. As one might expect, chemotherapy took its toll and weakened him considerably. He went into remission and was able to remain home for a bit with his wife and two young children. However, he slipped while attending a conference at his children’s school and broke his hip. This landed him back in the hospital and tests later revealed ALL had returned earlier this year. He was treated aggressively with a drug in a clinical study that previously had only been used on children. Unfortunately, this drug induced transverse myelitis (spinal cord inflammation) which resulted in paralysis which spread to his chest. The study medicine was stopped and he has been placed on steroids in the hope of reducing the inflammation. Rick is undergoing PT at the University Hospital for his arms and hands and being monitored (MRIs) for inflammation reduction of his spinal cord. Obviously, this has been difficult for him, his wife, and their two young children but I have never heard Rick complain and that tells you a lot about the guy. In spite of everything, he is always positive and we also talk Bills football and he is really excited about the 2015 season. I know that Rick still checks the board periodically and I expect he would appreciate hearing from anyone. He may not reply for a bit until better functionality returns to his arms and hands. Rick is currently in VCU North Hospital, floor 1, room 42. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 With you in spirit Rick. Keep up the fight; thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Thanks for the info. I knew he was sick when we last talked. Have not talked to him in some time. Prayers on the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowgirlsFan Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Prayers said..done ..and sent on his behalf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Thanks for this post. Rick - I never interacted with you here but you sound like a great guy and a strong man. I'm saying a prayer for your recovery. God Bless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryCletus Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Prayers bud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Best of luck for a full recovery Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Oh my. Hope and prayers for his full recovery. Cancer research is advancing greatly in this age. I hope it can cure him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Prayers sent! Kick it in the ass, Rick!! And thank you for sharing, Mr Info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Prayers and well wishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's House Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Madcap's a good dude. Fingers crossed for a full recovery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted April 16, 2015 Author Share Posted April 16, 2015 I was unable to see Rick yesterday because he was too sick but saw him today. He was getting a blood transfusion due to low hemoglobin but was in good spirits. He was able to view this thread and appreciates the support. I met Rick through this board when I relocated to this area and consider myself fortunate to know him. He and his wife, Brenda, and their two sons, Zach (6) and Owen (2) do not have family in the area so if you would like to send a card, send a meal from a local eatery to his family, or bringing a meal over (locals), then send me a PM and I will get you in contact with Brenda, get you their address, etc. I am sending them a meal from Capriccio's tomorrow night as I know the boys like pasta. Thanks to Paul, plenzmd1, for a quick PM to help out. Rick would be pleased by a visit from any local Bills fans. He is at the VCU North Hospital. 1st Floor, Room 42. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBud Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Get well soon TMC!! BuffaloStrong!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guffalo Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Stay strong Rick, Prayers out to you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebug Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Hang in there Bills bro! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevewin Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Wishing the best for you in your fight - from a current RTPer to a former one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 Damn I don't know the fella but it still makes me very sad. The best of luck!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garion Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Best of luck to you Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Get well, prayers going out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevestojan Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 You got this man! Thinking of you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Best of luck. Just keep playing a little crazed Syd music in the background for him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TakeYouToTasker Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Prayers going of for you and your family, Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanNC Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Prayers for you and your family Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Keep fighting MadCap! Get well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meazza Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Classy guy. In my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Best of luck Rick. We're all rooting for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 This football season will make you feel better Rick. Hang in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 "So come what may, Ill not upset My cheerful happiness of mind. Dejection never brings me what I want; My virtue will be warped and marred by it. If theres a remedy when trouble strikes, What reason is there for dejection? And if there is no help for it, What use is there in being glum?" -Shantideva Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UConn James Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Praying for strength for you, Rick! I lost my mum to pancreatic/liver cancer in December. I'll put in a word to her for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockpile Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Prayers to you and your family. Compared to ALL, MS is a walk in the park. Take it a day at a time and be your best. God Bless, Rockpile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubes Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 Get well soon, Bills bud! Looking forward to seeing more of you around here again. We're all rooting for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Rick prayers go out for you, your family and the medical team around you. Stay strong, it looks like this season for the Bills could be something special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Hi all, I have an update from Brenda and will post below. Thank you again to Tony for originally posting Even though we live 5 minutes apart, I had never met Rick. But Bills fan are one big family right? Again, if anyone would like to help them out by getting a dinner or something like that, PM me or Tony( Mr Info) and we can help with details, picking things up etc. below is mail from Brenda. PL. You can post an update on Rick. Prayers are always welcome. I guess they are still trying to find the root cause of his paralysis and did some tests today because he was running a fever. It seems the leukemia is 'acting' up so the time they thought they had to fix one problem is now going to have to shift to refocus on his existing problem. Hope to get some definite answers this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Info Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 Hi all, I have an update from Brenda and will post below. Thank you again to Tony for originally posting Even though we live 5 minutes apart, I had never met Rick. But Bills fan are one big family right? Again, if anyone would like to help them out by getting a dinner or something like that, PM me or Tony( Mr Info) and we can help with details, picking things up etc. below is mail from Brenda. PL. You can post an update on Rick. Prayers are always welcome. I guess they are still trying to find the root cause of his paralysis and did some tests today because he was running a fever. It seems the leukemia is 'acting' up so the time they thought they had to fix one problem is now going to have to shift to refocus on his existing problem. Hope to get some definite answers this week. As a quick update to this. I visited Rick yesterday and while I was there, Rick's brother Chuck and his parents (who Chuck drove down from Fredonia) along with Brenda stopped by. As Brenda indicated through Paul's message, they are still trying to determine the cause of Rick's fever. They are also investigating other opportunities for Rick such as the Transverse Myelitis Center at Johns Hopkins along with Roswell Park. But Rick has to get healthier before these can be considered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted May 5, 2015 Share Posted May 5, 2015 Get well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merper4mer Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Just saw this and will pray for the Mad Cap Rick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanM.D. Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Prayers your way Rick. Keep fighting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reed83HOF Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Just saw this...Rick keep up the fight man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chef Jim Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 Get well man! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts