Jack Dunagan

Welcome to our CaringBridge site. We've created it to keep friends and family updated. We appreciate your prayers and words of hope and encouragement during this time when it matters most.  Jack's story begins on October 29, 2015 when we went to the ER with a fever and red splotches on his body.  Within about 2 hours of arrival, his status quickly changed to trauma care and eventually ICU.  His fever had spiked to 105, heart rate was through the roof and blood pressure dropped.  The great team at Athens Regional got him stabilized and he spent the night in the ICU.  They ran tests after tests and on Friday night told us that his blood tests were suspect and that he may have leukemia.  However this would not be confirmed until we had a bone marrow biopsy.  The doctor suggested that we go to Emory to have that done and to be treated.  So on Halloween and during the middle of the Georgia game, Jack was put into an ambulance and the kids and I followed.  Acute myeloid leukemia was diagnosed and confirmed on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.  The plan of attack would be Induction (7 days of chemo for 24 hours a day) and then once in remission, Consolidation, chemo once a month for 3-4 months.  Jack continued to run a fever so his first round of chemo was not started until Friday, November 6, He had 7 days of chemo, 24 hours a day.  I posted the following verse on the board in Jack's room, Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you, Be Strong and Courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  I cannot tell you how many people texted this verse to us or sent notes to us with this same verse.  It gave us strength and encouragement to endure the days ahead.