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Michael Anderson
The Drive for a Diagnosis
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Mike's pediatrician suggested he be taken to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for a complete work-up. We made an appointment to go to a rehabilitation facility, the Seashore House, next door. There he had a team of pediatric rheumatologists examine him. They determined from his symptoms that he was suffering from JRA (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis). They wrote out prescriptions and sent us home to Toms River. But after taking the medicines faithfully, we saw no improvement. I must add, in the doctors' defense, that they did have blood tests done regularly but no sign of leukemia showed.
By early September, Michael began to develop intense pain in his shin (far from any joint). Nosebleeds became longer and more frequent. Strange circular bruises began to appear all over his body. I called the Seashore House doctors and explained in detail his latest symptoms. They continued to insist it was JRA. I grew more doubtful. Leukemia did cross my mind but what do I know? I'm only a layperson. I continued to call for instructions and questioned the diagnosis when his pain grew so intense. I cried right along with him for there was nothing more I could do, so one of the doctors told me. I refused to listen. I called them and insisted they see him. He was in constant agony. They finally agreed to another consultation.
This time a new younger doctor had recently joined the team. He was fresh out of medical school and saw Michael's illness with different eyes. He listened to what Mike had to say and took the time to thoroughly examine what actually hurt. He discovered that it wasn't the finger joints at all but the bones between that hurt. He told me later that he suspected leukemia but chose not to alarm me at the time. He ordered blood tests and sent Michael to bed upstairs in a room in the Seashore House. Later that night, he couldn't stop thinking about Michael. So he called for the blood test results from his home. They confirmed what he feared. He returned to the hospital to wake me up and tell me the results with an oncologist at his side to answer any questions I might have.
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