Well boys and girls, things aren't looking good for this ol Dawg this ol dawg

[Bullochdawg]

Some of you know I retired from Garmin last year.  Everything has been going well; just working around the house and enjoying the lake and rivers.  This summer we decided to tear down our poopy deck and rebuild one twice as big.  It was taking awhile because I would get overheated or my back just hurt too bad.
I had finally gotten established with a PCP here and he ran some labs just for a good baseline.  I went into town for the labs and then back home to put the finishing touches on the deck.  I was literally cutting the last spindles on one of the stair rails, and that was going to be it...  we were done...except for staining in a few months 
My phone rang and I saw it was my doctor.  I remember thinking "that was quick".  The doctor said "Your blood counts are like non-existent.  You need to get to the ER stat"    I'm like what does that mean?  Can I finish these spindles?"  "NO!  get to the ER NOW!
After more bloodwork, EKGs, cardiograms, CAT Scans, etc, they told me I had acute leukemia and was being transported to UAMS Little Rock immediately.  This is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)...the real bad stuff.  In meeting with the entire Oncology staff here, they said I had had a really good chance to beat this.  They started the aggressive chemo last week and things were looking promising.  My blood was still tanking ,so they decided to start blood transfusions to get my numbers up.
Within five minutes of the first transfusion, my chest felt like it was in a giant vice...heart attack.
Funny thing, I had gotten regular checkups, stress tests, EKGs.  They had run at least four EKGs here, along with two CAT Scans, x-rays and three echocardiograms just to make sure my heart was strong enough to handle the Chemo.  FYI, found out ALL those tests are maybe 50-60% accurate.  Keep that in mind when your doctor tells you your heart is fine...maybe not so much.  I had NEVER been diagnosed with any sort of heart issues, never the slightest pain or tightness, but I now had 95% blockage on the right RCA and 99% blockage on the left LAD and 60% in the Widow Maker...WTH?  They put in a stent on the right, angioplasty on the left and leaving the 60% blockage for another day.
Wifey is convinced the leukemia got me to the hospital so they could find the heart blockages.  I was a heart attack waiting to happen - yet felt fine. Now, the problem with the stent is that I have to be on blood thinner for several month.  This means the chemo had to stop.  Not good news with this aggressive cancer.
I'll probably be here at UAMS Little Rock for a couple more weeks and then will be sent home to continue some level of chemo in hopes that it will keep it in check until I'm off blood thinners and can start the full chemo, which will include bone marrow transplants. 
Pretty bad odds, but I've completely given this all to God.  I'm not mad or bitter, I fully trust God in his will.  Stuff like this make us realize how little we control and how much we need God.  I deserve anything I get; too many years of invincible youth, hard partying, bad diets, etc.  All on me.
Now, the really, REALLY sucky part-  A few of you have met my son Tripp.  He's our one and only baby.  He finally met the love of his life last year and are getting married tomorrow.  He and I have been best friend since the second he was born.  I was going to be his wingman at this wedding, but the reality of it is, my immune system is absolute 0...not 0.000000001%, it is 0, so I would not be able to be near anyone, no picture, hugs, dining.  I would just be that 'distraction' and would probably catch something worse.
Now the really Really REALLY sucky part, they are being attack as well.  The whole deal with me has been devastating enough, but now their photographer backed out three days before the wedding (not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but when added on).  THEN last Saturday night Tripp's finance's brother got beaten so badly, he's been in the hospital undergoing surgery.  Some random drunk decided to pick Emery's brother's house at random, ring his doorbell and proceeds to try to kill him.  It was all recorded on the RING camera to confirm it was random and uninstigated.
After awhile you have to decide that you're not going to let these attacks beat you down.  Wifey has her Mama bearclaws out.  Before she was so worried about how she looked for the wedding.   She said yesterday, "I don't care what I look like.  I don't have time to impress a bunch of people I don't know and probably wouldn't like.  Good girl!!!

I do covet you prayers.  That is obviously the only thing that can get us through these times.  I've just been praying for his grace, mercy, peace and healing.

Peace out.
Fred Bonner

And, as always Go Dawgs!

[Tomato Sandwich]

Damn, man. So sorry to hear all of this. Will keep you and your family in my thoughts. Keep fighting, brother!

[Toasty B]

Prayers, Bul...getter better soon

[JC-DAWG83]

Man, that is all tough. Prayers sent and good luck to you and your son. Don't know anything else to say, words are inadequate.

[Milldawg]

Wish I had the right words, I never seem to. But I am lifting you in prayer, you and your family and all your doctors. Keep fighting!

[JimDandyDawg]

Thank you for sharing this Fred. I have been down the chemo past with Hodgkins Lymphoma. One of the major side effects of chemo is what it can do to your heart. Sorry you are dealing with all this. If you ever want to chat about it send me a DM. I can tell you what worked for me although each type of chemo is different. You will likely get the little box thing that gives you a shot post chemo. I forget the name of it. Starts with an N I think. Anyway, I thought it would be easier on the back of my arm. Nope. Put it on your belly. Much easier to tolerate and it's more out of the way. Praying for you my man! God bless!

[dncdawg]

That is a lot to deal with at one time. God must think highly of your tolerance, and those around you dealing with all of those other situations to give them to you all at the same time. I know it would be a lot for me to handle.

Prayers for strength for you, your wife, and everyone dealing with these other challenges.

[Beatledawg]

FRED YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE ON MY PRAYER LIST.

I am at peace with your belief and have no worries there. I too believe. It will be fine regardless, be at peace.

[Creed]

God Bless you Bulloch. Praying for you brother.

[Doc Hollidawg]

You got my prayers. My Pappy got diagnosed with AML several years ago. He was in really bad shape from it because he refused to see doctors. It got so bad he would get exhausted from just walking down the hall. Finally got his ass to the hospital. Long story short, they gave him 3 months. We have a great oncologist here (I'm seeing him now), thank God, and he put Pappy on a series of chemo right away. Well, 5 years later he was still alive. He fell on his back deck being dumb/careless like we all can be and he passed away a month later. The fall broke him up inside and he was too weak to handle it. We sure got in some more fishin' trips in those 5 years they told him he wouldn't have. SO thankful for that. Hang in there, it's treatable with the right chemo. I'll be thinking about you and praying.

when

[wayxpython]

I'm very sorry to hear; prayers sent.

[Top Row Dawg]

Love you dude

[gulfportdawg]

Damn Fred, you've been hit with a Gibson fast ball in the crotch no doubt. I hope things get better real quick. You can bet I will pray for you and your family! May God bless you!

[RockmartDawg]

I'm sorry to hear all of that. Thank you for sharing that with us. You do give us encouragement in that you have your priorities and understanding fully on point and in crystal-clear focus. I'm trying to do better, myself, in ... as Kirby often words it... keepin' the main thing the main thing.

You and your family are in my prayers, bud.

[McDonoughDawg]

That’s a lot to deal with, no doubt…keep looking up. Prayers for you and your Family.

[DawgWood]

Hang in there and stay positive! Sounds like you've got the faith part covered, now just keep a positive attitude. I'm convinced that's a big part of the battle.
Prayers for strength to all and that the Dr's make all the right decisions in your treatment!

[Leotis]

Nm

[81n95]

Coming alongside you in prayer for strength and comfort to the One who is in complete control of this.

[eubie]

Bullochdawg, we are praying for you and your’s, big-time. May His will be done.  I’ve got a inkling of
what you,ve been going through.  In 1999, I underwent open-heart bypass surgery to bypass five blocked arteries.  In the fall of that year, I underwent an angioplasty procedure to clear another blocked
artery.  In 2005, I underwent a radical prostatectomy to remove my cancerous prostate.  In 2011, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

My Lord and Savior has been good to me.  I’m still kicking.

Take care and God bless.

[deathdawg]

Man, that is a pile going on. You hang in there boss. We will be praying for you. I'm impressed with your attitude!