From Ric himself...
"Well... I have a brain tumor that I will be getting removed next week. I've known about this for the last 3 months and kept it to myself till I felt necessary to tell everyone. After all the stress and people thinking I simply was going crazy I broke down on April 9th and told my good friend Martin Rosemond. I just didn't want people feeling sorry for me or treating me any different. In hindsight, I wish I did tell people because holding it in for that long really took a toll on me emotionally. At the same time, I was going through the worst breakup ever, I fell in into a deep depression that people picked up on. Its tough. Going to all of these appointments alone, test after test and hearing the results. When the Dr. came in and gave my my options and possible outcomes, I didn't know how to take it and didn't know what to do.
Through this all, I still kept hitting the gym and maintaining my diet. Ever squat 405 with a brain tumor? Its not fun but I persevered. Though I was depressed as hell I still tried to fight. Many times I sat and cried scared out of my fucking mind. The only thought that came racing through my head was, " Am I going to die." After telling my 3 closest friends, Martin, Steve Kuclo and Pete Ciccione, I realized I have the best friends I could ever ask for. I told Pete just last week how afraid I was of dying and he said " You're not going to die, we're not even close to finishing our journey." The 3 friends have stood by my side though my darkest days with their own ways of lifting my spirits.
This is so hard. I can't even describe how it feels with the fact that you might die in 6 days, 6 months or 6 years. I've honestly sat there with an empty bottle of scotch and a loaded gun thinking, " I'm just going to take care of this right now." Only two reasons why I didn't do that, my dogs, and I didn't want to be known as a quitter. I've never given up on anything and certainly wasn't going to start. So I said fuck it...lets just cut me open and take this fucking thing out and let me get back to hitting the gym.
With that in mind, the Dr. has given me odds of either losing my speech, waking up brain dead, losing the ability to walk or simply just dying. Whether you think I am being melodramatic, I don't give a fuck. This shit is fucking scary. So I want to think that people that have meant the most to me in my life especially in the last year and in the last 6 months through the roughest time of my life.
Martin thank you so much for being there at every moment. To hear me cry my heart out in panic. You are a godsend. Pete Ciccone Ifbb Pro, that you so much for the advice you have me ad lifted my spirt. You have been the greatest friend. Steve Kuclo, thank you for the prayers and the up lifting. You have stood by my side though pretty tough times. Derik Farnsworth, thank you for always giving me your open, honest, and candid opinion. Michael Anthony Escalante you have given me the best business advice. I have always looked to to you. Thank you for always being there for advice. Nick Erbe my old partner in crime. I have the funnest times hanging out with you at the shows and simply just working with you. We had a blast.
Hany Rambod / Farinaz Rambod, it was the greatest pleasure working with you. I always thought of you as a father figure. You have taught me so much and were always there to put me in my place when I needed it. Sorry for everything that happened and I'll love you two forever. Narmin Assria Ifbb Pro, you'll always be my little 'sista. Thanks for answering my calls those few times. Sasha Brown, you were always there to put me back to reality and yell at me when I needed to be set straight. Diana Landais, thank you for the help the last few months. You get the award for Outstanding newest friends. Thanks for always checking in on me. Robin, I'll always value our friendship. Geri Kuclo, I was blessed to have Steve in my life and to get his mother to give me motherly advice was so heartfelt. Thank you. Erick Hilton Ross, you've been there through so many ups and downs in my life. Thank you for always being there. Eric Jarvina, one of the best training partners i've had and a great friend. Adam Zmija and Annie Kallen Zmija, thank you for always being there when I needed a boost. Annie, thank you for always checking in on me. Love you to death.
And Christie Marquez, I love you more than I have loved anything in this world. I am sorry for everything that happened. I wish the very best for you at the Olympia. I know you're going to make a huge statement on stage.
Now I can sit here and be cliché and tell you to embrace each day as if it were your last. But when you sit here and actually have to live with the moment that you might die, you really sit there and reflect upon each day and each moment. " Gather ye' rosebuds while ye' may" or the latin sentiment for that, " Carpe Diem". Really truly live your life like its going to be your last day. Whomever you're close to make sure they know it. Thank you for everyone that has been a part of my life. I lived an extraordinary life. Again, I should come out of this standing and rebound right back to me, but I still have that fear in my mind."