"The Old Man" Bo Boggs, Gone West.

The Old Man

The Old Man

Line Up and Wait
Gone West
Joined
Apr 9, 2005
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755
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Plano, TX
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The Old Man
It is a well known fact that each of us will someday take off on our last flight. Some of us know beforehand that this is it, but most of us don't. It is now apparent that my last flight was September 11, 2012. That morning, we took off from Port Aransas for home after my annual birthday weekend at Mustang Beach.
After that weekend, I had a cold that went to bronchitis to pneumonia in 5 days. I was still recovering from that at Gulf Shores, and seemed completely recovered before we went to NYC the last week of Oct. By the first of Dec, the bronchitis was coming back and was a full fledged pneumonia by Christmas. I entered the Hospital on New Year's Eve, unable to breathe. When they discovered that this was not a typical pneumonia, they began exploring for other causes. Within the 1.5l of fluid they drained from my left side, they found cancer cells.
I was released from the hospital on Jan 20, after many more tests had confirmed the type and extent of the tumor. I am now tied to an oxygen line and scheduled to start therapy next week.
So my flying days are over. It was a great ride for 13 years, accumulating 900 hours mostly in the trusty Mouse. We visited 27 states, made many new, good friends and saw parts of this country in ways few people get to see them. My only regret is that we didn't have a couple more years or more active years so that I could have made 1000 hours and gotten closer to 48 states. But we are so thankful for what we did accomplish.
 
I'm very sorry to hear this. My hopes for successful therapy and recovery that will lead you to get back to flying!
 
Ted DuPuis said:
I'm very sorry to hear this. My hopes for successful therapy and recovery that will lead you to get back to flying!
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+infinity. Take comfort in knowing there is a entire squadron of pilots wishing the best for you.
 
Don't give up yet. I had a brain tumor (pituitary) in 1998 and was given two weeks (the tumor was too big). Fortunately I met a neurosurgeon willing to take the risk to remove it. The tumor was 90% removed and the rest by Gamma Knife therapy. My empty head was filled with butt tissue to keep the brain from shaking around. After one year I got my third class medical but required an MRI every two years for six years Since then I have flown about 1000 hrs.

Best of luck

José
 
Bo, very sorry to hear this I always enjoyed reading your blog even in the days of the old AOPA board. As others have said think positive and we will all send you thoughts and prayers for a full recovery.
 
Our love and prayers to you, my friend.
 
My friend, The first step is therapy and the fight moves forward from that point. Mary and I will keep you and Sandra in our thoughts and prayers. We are both here if you and Sandra need anything. I'll give you a call this evening.
 
Each day is a gift.
Glad you were able to get some flying in and enjoy the things you did.
There is a date out there for each of us.

It is interesting your only regret is that you didn't fly more. I'm going to take that advice my friend. :D

Good luck, and hopes for a speedy recovery.
 
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Best of luck, my friend. Come visit us in Port A once your recovery is complete, and we'll go flying!
 
Bo:

It is apparent to all of us that you are possessed of a particularly powerful spirit. I have to believe that you have a strong chance of battling this beast, and I pray fervently that you shall.

I would add only this: you married a strong-willed Redhead, whose support and companionship have clearly been extra lift under your wings... and we all enjoyed reading about her learning to fly. So, if you are precluded from being PIC for a while, well, you've done that before, and this time, you have a bride who'll take command.

Be strong! We're pulling for you.
 
Geico266 said:
Each day is a gift.
Glad you were able to get some flying in and enjoy the things you did.
There is a date out there for each of us.

It is interesting your only regret is that you didn't fly more. I'm going to take that advice my friend. :D

Good luck, and hopes for a speedy recovery.
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+1...

I could not have said it any better....

Think positive..... The mind is the ultimate healer....:yes:
 
Keeping you in our thoughts.
 
Ted DuPuis said:
I'm very sorry to hear this. My hopes for successful therapy and recovery that will lead you to get back to flying!
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What Ted said.

Let me add my thanks for all your great stories over the years. Here's hoping for a speedy recovery.
 
Hang in there, Bo. I don't hear any big ladies singing.
 
Best of luck with this part of your journey.
 
So sorry to hear this, but I'm sure the treatment will help, and once you recover, I look forward to reading another story from you on your first post-cancer flight.
 
Best of luck in your therapy and recovery.

I hope you will be back flying ASAP
 
You can add my prayers to the resounding chorus of voices (on this board alone) who are fighting this right along with you, Bo.

Focus on your recovery right now; don't worry about the possibility of not flying again. Like others have said, this could very well prove to be only a temporary setback for that. As proof, January 24 marked the seven-year "anniversary" of my own cancer diagnosis. One year to the day after the worst moment of my life, I was back in the sky.
 
Bo, I'm so sorry to hear about what you and Sandra have had to, and will need to deal with. It's a tough road, for sure.

Your passion for aviation and willingness to share that love has always been an inspiration.

I'm hoping you have a favorable prognosis. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
 
Cancer sucks. BTDT, it sucks. But, you can beat it. There are plenty of folks here rooting for you. Best of luck and we're all praying for you.
 
Hang in there Bo. You can beat it. :)
 
Focus on your health, Bo. That's top priority right now.

Flying, heck... your flying days aren't over, you just might be doing it in the right seat of someone else's airplane... and that said, you're more than welcome in mine, anytime... and we haven't even met.

You just focus on getting well. Get that done, FAA Medical or not, there are ways to fly. Life isn't over until it's over... this is just a different chapter.

Best wishes on a full recovery. Don't ever give up.
 
It is with a very heavy heart that I share this with my friends here on POA. My friend and one of my aviation mentors has passed. My flights and blogging were directly influenced by him over the years. My heart is broken, I'll miss his friendship, his southern gentleman ways and the perfect sayings he always left me with.

From Sandra, Bo's Bride. After 5 months of treatments and radiation, Bo was not able to beat lung cancer. He died at about 7:30 PM on May 30, 2013. He has "gone west".
 

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Sorry to hear the news. His last post wasn't encouraging. He was truly a good guy.

GMascelli said:
It is with a very heavy heart that I share this with my friends here on POA. My friend and one of my aviation mentors has passed. My flights and blogging were directly influenced by him over the years. My heart is broken, I'll miss his friendship, his southern gentleman ways and the perfect sayings he always left me with.

From Sandra, Bo's Bride. After 5 months of treatments and radiation, Bo was not able to beat lung cancer. He died at about 7:30 PM on May 30, 2013. He has "gone west".
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R.I.P and condolences to his family and friends.
 
Honor his memory by mentoring a younger pilot the way he did you. Get involved in aviation and pass it on to the next generation.

Very sorry for yur loss.
 
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