WMC-TV: News, Weather, Traffic, Radar, and Sports for Memphis, TN; WMCTV.com | Radio host 'Bad Dog' keeps humor intact during battle with Leukemia

Radio host 'Bad Dog' keeps humor intact during battle with Leukemia

By Nick Kenney - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) -   The early morning dynamic inside the Rock 103 studios has changed after the surprise announcement late last week that Ric Chetter's morning show co-host, Bad Dog, would be out for at least the next month.

Bad Dog, whose real name is John McCormack, went to the doctor last Wednesday complaining of tightness in his chest. Tests later revealed McCormack has Leukemia.

"He was very robust, very healthy," Chetter said. "It became such a shock to find out that this is what he, in fact, has."

Now, McCormack is in the hospital, in isolation.  His wrecked immune system prevents him from receiving visitors, yet he is in good spirits.

"Everything's going pretty good," he said. "We're on track. They're very happy and very optimistic about how I'm responding to this treatment, and I feel real well."

McCormack faces two solid weeks of intense chemotherapy.  In the meantime, he calls in to the studio nearly every morning to express gratitude and relay new insight.
 
"Actually experiencing it right now has humbled me, man. It shows me who the real heroes are in this city," he said.

McCormack's sense of humor remains intact as he looks ahead to the battle he faces.

"Let me tell you, this is nothing like facing your wife in court," he said. "Brother, this is nothing."

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