Posted by Mike Pede on Facebook:

God bless my friend Frankie Mandola who is in bad shape in SWMemorial hospital after a heart attack. I have so many Facebook friends that are UH and Rice related and Frankie had a deep affinity for both, especially student athletes and athletics. He needs every prayer we have right now. He is always there for us and we need to rally for him! God bless you and we love you Frankie B!

(07-04-2016 09:07 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Posted by Mike Pede on Facebook:

God bless my friend Frankie Mandola who is in bad shape in SWMemorial hospital after a heart attack. I have so many Facebook friends that are UH and Rice related and Frankie had a deep affinity for both, especially student athletes and athletics. He needs every prayer we have right now. He is always there for us and we need to rally for him! God bless you and we love you Frankie B!

As I recall, Frankie had bypass surgery about 12-14 years ago; think he had lost weight when we were all at Omaha in '03, but many of y'all are closer to him than I am, and know of his health issues better than I. I will definitely say some 'Our Fathers' and 'Hail Marys' for him tonight. Frankie is much beloved by his fellow Owls, that's for sure. If anybody gets any updates on his condition I hope they'll be posted.

If he needs blood donations, can someone get the info needed to get the credit for a donation to his account.

I saw him at a breakfast club meeting about 3 weeks ago and he looked great. Very sorry to hear this.

Any updates?

The latest tweet from this afternoon...

Quote:Frankie Mandola
3 hrs ·
I wanna thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers. I was just visiting Frankie B. and his color is good and everything neck down is in pretty good shape. Frankie B. is hanging in there. The doctor is scheduling an MRI and we should know more information following the scan. We are in the process of putting together a caring bridge account for everyone to keep in touch. Thanks again.
Johnny B.

Quote:Latest Journal Update
Frankie Mandola- July 6th
By Libby Clancy — 3 hours ago

7/6 at 9 am:
Frankie is unconscious but his coloring is good. Judy insists that he looks like a "tan movie star." ;-) The neurologist stopped by this morning and let us know that there's no change from last night. From the neck down, Frankie's doing as well as can be, given his age and heart issues. Unfortunately, the last two days' EEGs are showing brain damage; however, they need to perform an MRI to know the full extent of the damage and whether or not there's a chance for a meaningful recovery. There's some challenging logistics involved in order to move him for the MRI, so they're aiming to make that happen today or tomorrow. In the mean time, they just did another EEG this morning so that we can assess any change or trends. We should get the results of that later today.

In short, we are in wait-and-see mode for the next day or two until we know exactly what we're dealing with. Fortunately, Frankie is in no pain and looks like he's peacefully resting. We're visiting him often... playing music, laughing, crying and telling inappropriate stories. The doctors and staff at Memorial Hermann have been amazing... keeping us updated and answering all of our repetitive questions. Frankie is in great hands.

Thanks again for all of your prayers, thoughts, good vibes, texts, phone calls, emails, voicemails, hugs, kisses, etc. We're so grateful for all of you!

Frankie please be okay! A great person who loved Rice.

(07-06-2016 07:40 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

Quote:Latest Journal Update
Frankie Mandola- July 6th
By Libby Clancy — 3 hours ago

7/6 at 9 am:
Frankie is unconscious but his coloring is good. Judy insists that he looks like a "tan movie star." ;-) The neurologist stopped by this morning and let us know that there's no change from last night. From the neck down, Frankie's doing as well as can be, given his age and heart issues. Unfortunately, the last two days' EEGs are showing brain damage; however, they need to perform an MRI to know the full extent of the damage and whether or not there's a chance for a meaningful recovery. There's some challenging logistics involved in order to move him for the MRI, so they're aiming to make that happen today or tomorrow. In the mean time, they just did another EEG this morning so that we can assess any change or trends. We should get the results of that later today.

In short, we are in wait-and-see mode for the next day or two until we know exactly what we're dealing with. Fortunately, Frankie is in no pain and looks like he's peacefully resting. We're visiting him often... playing music, laughing, crying and telling inappropriate stories. The doctors and staff at Memorial Hermann have been amazing... keeping us updated and answering all of our repetitive questions. Frankie is in great hands.

Thanks again for all of your prayers, thoughts, good vibes, texts, phone calls, emails, voicemails, hugs, kisses, etc. We're so grateful for all of you!

More recent update:

By Claresa Mandola — 12 hours ago

We just left from seeing Frankie... he looked peaceful and comfy. Johnny played some of his favorite Louis Prima songs, and his high school sweetheart held his hand ? Lots of visitors today, including the triplets... who entertained everyone. Uncle Luke brought awesome platters of food for all... (Rumor has it the boudin was vegan!) Steph's hubby arrives from Boston in a few hours, and we're on our way back to Dumfries for a change of scenery.

They were able to perform the MRI today, which is great. That means tomorrow morning, we'll have a better idea of what we're up against.

As always, thanks for keeping Frankie and all of us in your thoughts. We feel so lucky to have all of you in our lives.

xoxo

And Johnny just shared this on facebook about 45 minutes ago

Johnny B. Mandola
46 mins ·
We just met with the neurologist. Unfortunately, the MRI results were not what we were hoping for in regards to a meaningful recovery. We're still weighing our options. In the mean time, we're still open to visitors in the waiting room. However, going forward, only immediate family will have access to Frankie's room. Thanks again for your continued love and support. Love each and every one of you. xoxo

Latest Journal Update
July 8, 2016, 9:03pm
By Claresa Mandola — 7 minutes ago

Thanks, as always, for the continued outpouring of love, laughs, friendship and support. Please know that all of your stories, sweet words, hugs, kisses, texts, calls, posts, emails (and food!) carried us gently and lovingly through this week. There are no words for the gratitude we feel.

This evening, Frankie B. passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Nothing but limitless love for him and each other.

We will post information about the services in the near future. We look forward to hearing more Frankie B. stories and celebrating him together. Thank you again for loving Frankie B. and us. xoxo

Such sad news. RIP Frankie B.

An absolutely wonderful man who was a true blue Owl.

Go with God, my friend,

God needed him more than we did! Godspeed, Frankie!

thanks for all the memories, Frankie B. He's been there for the Owl faithful thru thick and thin.

When I was a greenhorn freshman who just arrived on campus, Frankie was the first upperclassman jock to whack my posterior with the taped up broom. We've been friends ever since.

(07-09-2016 10:07 AM)davidw Wrote:  thanks for all the memories, Frankie B. He's been there for the Owl faithful thru thick and thin.

When I was a greenhorn freshman who just arrived on campus, Frankie was the first upperclassman jock to whack my posterior with the taped up broom. We've been friends ever since.

IIRC, I think you, Frankie, and I have spent an hour or two together here or there.

He was simply a wonderful human being and one of a kind. I miss him, and I know lots of other people do too.

If I am not mistaken, while attending UT law school I saw Frank break his leg sliding into home plate in a baseball game against Texas.

correct; that picture of him sliding, with the broken bone sticking out ala Thiesman, was in the yearbook.....gives you the willies.

Anyone perchance attend Frankie B's funeral today and if so, have a word or two to report on it? Would definitely have been there. But presently am out of country, nevertheless with thoughts of Frankie B today.