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My Friend Richard
by Corey Lasley (November 1st, 2007)
I met Richard Manetta at school in 1999, during the time when we both attended a computer tech school known as Computer Learning Centers, Inc. in Madison Heights, Michigan (a school that no longer exists). Over the course of our time in training to become computer programmers, we became good friends. After graduation we lost touch for a brief period of time, but in early 2001 Rich and I got back in contact via email, which rekindled the friendship that had almost been forgotten. Shortly thereafter, Rich ended up getting a job at my place of work, and for a brief period in early 2001 we worked together as software developers for a small software company in St Clair Shores, Michigan. During our brief co-worker status, Rich joined me with a few others friends on a weekend trip up to the mid-western part of Michigan for some camping and paintball in the very early spring of 2001. At that time Rich met my cousin Brianne, and over the course of the next few months they fell in love, and eventually got married in the spring of 2004. Rich who was one of my best friends at the time, had become like a brother to me, and after Rich and Brianne were married, he officially became part of the family.
Earlier in our friendship, I learned of the fact that Rich had been dealt a rough hand in life, and in 1992 at the age of 17, Rich was diagnosed with benign paraganglioma, and had a tumor near his prostate.  At that time he had surgery to remove the tumor which also led to the inevitable loss of his prostate, that ultimately robbed him of his ability to have children.
Throughout the time that I knew Rich starting in 1999 I noticed an increased frequency of sickness that seemed to plague him, and with each passing year he suffered more intensely with pain. In 2001 Rich was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease; however the medical problems and diagnoses would not stop there. Rich began suffering the effects of high blood pressure problems and had a heart stent inserted in 2004.The stent would only become a temporary fix, and other problems would soon manifest.
In the spring of 2007 Rich's blood pressure once again became an issue, and after many tests, they could not explain why his blood pressure  was so high and why he was experiencing symptoms but having a negative stress test and EKG. During a cardiac catherization, however, they saw that the artery was 99% clogged, and he was in desperate need of another stent or else he would die. After the success of the surgery, Rich underwent complications (internal bleeding due to the incision site popping open) that led to a series of other tests. During a CAT scan the doctors discovered nodes in his lungs, and a mass in his abdomen area. In the months to follow, Rich would have to endure a frustrating and painstaking series of more tests. During this time Rich's pain was substantially increasing to near constant suffering that led Rich to ultimately having to go on medical leave from work beginning in July. At that time the doctors discovered that Rich once again had at least one tumor (possibly a resurgence of what he had when he was 17). This time the damage would prove to be even greater, as 3 golf-ball sized masses that had attached to his bladder and colon were found.
Surgery was initially scheduled for the beginning of September; however complications with the insurance company led to a delay of about one month. During this time, Rich's pain was substantial, and not only was he hurting physically, but he began to have bouts of anxiety and even psychotic type episodes, all no doubt related to the tumor that was severely tampering with his system. The big day soon arrived, and On Tuesday, October 2nd 2007, Rich underwent his very serious and much needed surgery.
During the time in the operation, the doctors had to remove everything that the tumor had touched, which included his bladder, colon, part of his intestine, some muscle, partial lymph nodes  and even part of some of his pelvic bone; essentially emptying out his pelvic area of organs. Because of the loss of his bladder and colon, Rich now has to wear external bags called a urostomy and colostomy for the rest of his life.
After the surgery it was confirmed that Rich once again had paraganglioma, but unlike last time, this time it was malignant. The doctors stated that they did everything they could to remove all cancerous tissue that they could safely get too, however some still remains. The plan is that Rich may now have to endure chemotherapy and radiation treatment in hopes that the remaining cancer can be destroyed, however due to the rarity of malignant paraganglioma, there is no readily known treatment, and it is unknown if chemotherapy or radiation will lead to any positive results. With everything he has gone through, the doctors have told Rich that there is a chance that the tumor will return.
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