The twenty five minute ride to Frankford Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia seemed endless. Speculation ran rampant during my ride. How could they screw up my bloodwork? Why did I need to go directly to the hospital? Right away, with hardly an explanation? My wife would soon meet me at the hospital for the appointment.
I was to see a Hematologist/ Oncologist…Dr. Lor Terzian. My first encounter after filling out the normal mound of pre visit paperwork would be the phlebotomist who needed to take endless vials of blood…it seemed. Lori and I were introduced to Dr. Terzian and led into an examination room. The doctor asked me many questions about my extended family, my son, my history and probed my body looking for what, I did not know. We then were led to Dr. Terzians office and asked to relax until he returned.
Needless to say I was anxious and terrified at the same time. What was going on? Upon Dr. Terzians return, he sat down and said ” There is no easy way to tell you this…you have Leukemia. Specifically CML. Chronogenic Mylogenous Leukemia.” The new bloodwork reaffirmed Dr. Cieckos suspicions that there was definitely an issue. There most certainly was.
The doctor followed up his diagnosis with the fact that conventionally and with current therapies, I may only have one or two years to live. Possibly longer with a very dangerous operation called a bone marrow transplant provided a genetic match could be found to be able to do the transplant. His demeanor was somewhat somber as we asked him a few questions about a cancer diagnosis of CML. I needed so much information at this point. He asked me if I would allow him to perform a bone marrow aspiration. This was needed to evaluate my situation further. We would move forward and adjourn to another exam room.
Dr Terzian then performed the bone marrow aspiration. This extremely painful test is done to extract and assess bone marrow from an inner portion of your hip bone. After the procedure, I was bandaged up, felt like I was hit by a baseball bat and told that the results would take about ten days. The office would be in touch with me soon. Dr. Terzian gave me a drug called Hydroxyuria to be taken daily for 2 weeks, wished me well and told me to try to enjoy my vacation in Disneyland…. as best as possible.
I walked Lori to her car…hugged her and told her we would be OK. We would meet back at our house after I took a ride to my parents house. I went back to my car, watched my wife drive away…then broke down and cried.
It was 10:30 am. The day was just beginning. There was a long way to go…starting with hugging my son and not letting go…ever.
Next up: Breaking it to the family and driving to Richmond, Va.