Shortly earlier than Thanksgiving 2021, Jerry Haines, a part-time farmer and retired butter and cheesemaker, was serving to one other farmer with fall chores. He felt good however seen an odd lump on his higher arm.
“It wasn’t too big — only about the size of a hickory nut. I thought that something bit me,” says the 81-year-old Arcadia, Wisconsin, resident. “Over the next few days, it got bigger. Then I found a lump in my armpit too.”
Getting a prognosis
Jerry talked along with his spouse, Sherry Haines, and so they determined to get the lumps examined. Jerry scheduled an appointment along with his main care supplier, Paul Winey, a doctor assistant at Mayo Clinic Health System in Arcadia.
“Jerry has always been mindful of his health, and his wife makes sure he doesn’t dismiss anything,” says Paul. “Given the location and characteristics of his lesions, an ultrasound was ordered as it is available quickly and conveniently at the Arcadia clinic.”
Winey reviewed the scanned photographs along with his Family Medicine colleagues, Jodi Breska, M.D., and Timothy Cox, M.D. The night earlier than Thanksgiving, Dr. Breska known as the couple to clarify that the staff was involved and advisable a CT scan of Jerry’s chest and arm.
Soon after, Jerry and Sherry made the 44-mile journey to Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse for the scan. Oncologist Jonathan Ticku, M.D., reviewed the outcomes and defined to the couple that Jerry would wish a biopsy and a PET scan to substantiate a prognosis.
With the ends in hand, Dr. Ticku confirmed that Jerry had diffuse giant B-cell lymphoma, a sort of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This kind of most cancers begins within the lymphatic system when the body produces too many irregular white blood cells, which may type tumors all through the body.
Team approach to most cancers care
Treating most cancers is a staff approach at Mayo Clinic Health System, explains oncologist Scott Okuno, M.D. The Oncology staff collaborates with a multidisciplinary group, together with Pathology, Surgery, Radiology, nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, monetary counselors, schedulers and first care suppliers, to find out the most effective remedy approach for every affected person.
“Each team has daily huddles to review the patients we will see and go over each other’s plans. We provide additional experience and expertise to each patient’s case. Each patient is essentially getting multiple second opinions during the treatment journey,” says Dr. Okuno.
In Jerry’s case, the staff advisable six cycles of chemotherapy adopted by radiation.
Managing health situations throughout remedy
In January 2022, Jerry started chemotherapy and all went effectively. Except Sherry was involved about one treatment — a steroid.
“He had been given a high dose of prednisone before chemo. I was surprised because it seemed so high,” says Sherry, a retired nurse of 52 years. “But they explained that it would help him tolerate the chemo, and then I felt fine. I asked a lot of questions, and we always had someone to go to and never waited for answers.”
Sherry was proper to ask, as Jerry has Type 2 diabetes, and prednisone can improve blood sugar ranges. While Jerry accomplished chemotherapy remedies, she monitored his blood sugar and used the Mayo Clinic patient portal to speak the outcomes with Paul.
“As was expected, his blood sugars did fluctuate quite a bit,” says Paul. “He was reluctant to use insulin to manage his blood sugars. Through extensive use of our patient portal, his wife was able to provide me with frequent updates on his sugar levels. This allowed us to adjust his oral medications almost daily to keep his sugars within range.”
Treated like household
The couple says they’ve all the time felt near their hometown health care staff in Arcadia, however their experiences prolonged that to embody their new staff in La Crosse.
“It’s like we became one big happy family. Everyone treated him like he was the most important person. It made the long days go by faster,” says Sherry.
In celebration of Jerry’s birthday, the couple delivered treats and hosted a chemo birthday celebration within the Oncology unit throughout his third spherical of chemotherapy. And the excellent news continued.
Dr. Okuno defined that Jerry’s most cancers was responding so effectively to remedy that he would solely want 4 rounds of chemotherapy as an alternative of the anticipated six.
Driving away cancer-free
After 15 radiation remedies and 44 spherical journeys to La Crosse, Jerry was declared cancer-free in April 2022. He determined to do one thing huge to rejoice. On the best way house from his final appointment, he stopped at a Ford dealership and purchased a brand new pickup truck.
Jerry now could be in a most cancers surveillance program for the subsequent 5 years, which features a bodily examination and blood checks each three to 6 months. He additionally can have CT scans at common intervals. Coordinating this care is Oncology doctor assistant Allison Humes, who has constructed a rapport with the couple.
“She’s something else. We joke together,” says Jerry.
Sherry has been impressed with Allison’s thoroughness and reassuring nature.
“She doesn’t let him leave until she’s fully examined him and answered every question,” Sherry says.
Allison explains that connections like this assist to personalize health care for sufferers and the care staff.
“We all have unique life experiences, but there are always pieces of our story that connect with other people’s experiences,” she says. “My goal is for patients to know that they are being heard during each of our visits.”
Hometown care continues
Today, Jerry stays cancer-free and is feeling effectively.
“I’m still kicking but not as high. Chemo did slow me down a lot, but I’m one of the lucky people,” he says.
He and Sherry are spending time with their 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren and feeling appreciation for the care they obtained of their hometown and down the highway in La Crosse.
“We live in a rural area and only have a clinic in town. Some might say ‘it’s just a clinic,'” says Sherry. “We are lucky we have the clinic. We had no delays from Day One until where we are today. Everyone has looked out for Jerry.”
The admiration is mutual, and the care staff praises the couple for having a optimistic angle.
“Jerry has been an exceptional patient,” says Allison. “He has maintained an inspiringly positive attitude throughout his cancer journey despite undergoing intensive chemotherapy.”
Paul stresses that teamwork begins with the couple.
“I have known Jerry since 2006, and he’s an ‘OK’ patient. He begrudgingly listens and follows instructions. However, his wife ensured he was a ‘great’ patient and provided a balanced optimism in a rough situation. While there were ups and downs, both remained positive,” says Paul. “His experience is evidence of the team approach culture at Mayo Clinic Health System. Multiple teams and departments came together for a positive outcome. Central to this was a man and his wife believing in us and trusting us with his care. That is the true reward.”
This article initially appeared on the Mayo Clinic Healthy System weblog.
