Karen Watson had always been a woman on the go—in her career as a bank vice president, as a wife, mother, and grandmother, and as an avid racquetball player. Then she started fainting inexplicably and experiencing severe pain throughout her body. She saw her primary care physician, who ordered blood tests to try to figure out what was causing Karen to faint.
“He called the next morning and told me to get to the emergency room right away because my blood count was so low,” says Karen.
After more tests and visits with specialists at the National Institutes of Health and a rheumatologist, Karen was referred to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital where she eventually saw Kimberley Doucette, MD, MSC, a medical oncologist and hematologist at MedStar Georgetown. She was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a fast-growing blood cancer. She was referred to the medical oncology team at MedStar Georgetown, part of the MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute. After consultation with her MedStar Georgetown team, Karen began receiving aggressive chemotherapy, the standard treatment for this type of leukemia.
Unfortunately, Karen experienced serious side effects from the chemotherapy. “I was scared and in pain,” Karen explains. “I didn’t think I could go on, but my husband, two sons, daughter-in-law, future daughter-in-law, and best friend were by my side at every minute throughout my treatment. They all encouraged me to keep trying, so I did.”
“We reduced the dose of Karen’s chemotherapy and she tolerated it much better,” says Dr. Doucette.
Karen spent the first phase of her treatment as an inpatient at MedStar Georgetown, where she was closely monitored and her pain from the leukemia was managed. Then she would return home for a period of time before returning to the hospital for additional inpatient chemotherapy. This part of her treatment lasted almost a year.
“The nurses on BLES 2, the unit at MedStar Georgetown where I received my treatment, were incredible, especially Marge and Cierra,” says Karen. “They were extremely compassionate and supportive, even walking laps around the unit with me when I felt anxious. I got quite close to several of my nurses and still go back to visit them. Two of my nurses even attended my youngest son’s destination wedding. Because of them, BLES 2 became a second home to me.”
Karen also credits the boundless support of her family for helping her to get through her intense treatment. “My husband, sons, daughters-in-law, and best friend were always with me when I was in the hospital,” she says. “I was never alone, which really helped me keep on fighting.”
After completing the first stage of her treatment, Karen began two years of maintenance therapy under the care of Dr. Doucette, which included pills and a once a month IV infusion. She recently completed this second phase of treatment and is now in remission.
“I am so grateful I am in remission and looking forward to the future,” says Karen. “I can’t say enough about Dr. Doucette and the nurses who cared for me during my treatment, especially, Jacquie Galdos, MSN, FNP-C, OCN, the nurse practitioner, who was with me from the beginning of my treatment and who is just amazing.”
“Karen is doing very well, with no evidence of cancer even at the microscopic level,” says Dr. Doucette. “As an academic medical center, we are able to provide patients like Karen who have complex, life-threatening blood cancers with personalized care and the latest treatment options, including precision medicine. We also provide a wide range of support services to help patients through this challenging diagnosis and treatment, including social workers, psychologists, home physical and occupational therapy, nutritionists, and palliative care to help patients manage the side effects of treatment. If needed, our patients also have access to additional treatments, including bone marrow transplant and stem cell and immunotherapy, all here at MedStar Georgetown.”
Karen is once again feeling great and on the go. “I’ve travelled to Bermuda and am going on a camping and boating trip with my whole family. I’m also back to playing racquetball, going for walks,gardening, going out to dinner, spending time with my five grandchildren, and shopping, which I love. I’m even taking my two oldest grandchildren on birthday shopping sprees,” Karen says.
“I can’t thank my team at MedStar Georgetown enough,” she adds. “If you’re diagnosed with blood cancer, go to MedStar Georgetown. They are the experts.”
For more information or to make an appointment, call 202-444-7037.