Johnny Bodnar

**Kenyth** · 06-29-2007, 09:42 AM

I need to quit reading the news.

I was following a story about a cute little boy two years old named Johnny Bodnar. He had Leukemia. It went into remission when he was 9 months old, then relapsed recently. There really weren't any updates to speak of since a few days after his bone marrow transplant, so I wasn't following very closely. I checked earlier this week and found out he died on the 20th.

I was crushed! I'm still down about it. I don't know why I should feel so bad. I don't know them personally or anything. Maybe it's because I have a son about the same age? Is that normal?

Regardless, here's a link or two. Be warned, this may break your heart.

http://www.cotaforjohnnyb.com/node/46

http://www.bryantmcgill.com/forum/in...ic,4202.0.html

**Shagaroo** · 06-29-2007, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Kenyth

I was crushed! I'm still down about it. I don't know why I should feel so bad. I don't know them personally or anything. Maybe it's because I have a son about the same age? Is that normal?

It's completely normal. Hearing of someone suffering pretty much their entire life, and having that life cut so short is a sad thing. I would wonder about someone that wasn't touched by the event.

**TampaSupremo** · 06-29-2007, 04:18 PM

Being a cop for almost 10 years makes you real bitter towards humanity (not trying to sound hard, it's just how it is). But ever since my son was born (he's almost 14 months now) has really changed my attitude (at least when it comes to kids). We had an incident here in GA where there was a domestic murder/suicide (I forget where exactly). The end result was that a 5-month old was left in a swing and died of starvation/thirst. I almost cried when I heard it. As soon as I got home I hugged my son and didn't want to let go.

I didn't click the links. Don't have the heart.

TampaSupremo

**Kenyth** · 07-02-2007, 11:29 AM

I feel better this week. Still sad about it, but not depressed like I was.

When you follow a story and look at lots of pictures, video clips, etc. You almost feel you know the person. He was a very cute and sweet little boy with an adorable personality. His family loved him very much. He was so close to making it through. I really wanted him to make it. It looks as though a viral infection of some kind took hold while his immune system was gone and trying to rebuild from the transplant.

It's tragic and heartbreaking. The Doctors and nurses who work with sick children like this must have the hearts of Saints to deal with the pain and loss so closely. Maybe it's balanced out by the victories and the children saved.