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Farewell to a fallen warrior
1Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287-4170, USA.
Insights
A routine physical exam revealed leukemia in a 37-year-old man. Despite needing a bone marrow transplant, his survival was limited to a few months post-diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- A 37-year-old male, previously healthy, underwent an annual physical exam.
- Family history of heart disease prompted a cholesterol check.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate an unexpected finding during a routine physical examination.
- To determine the cause of abnormal blood test results.
Main Methods:
- Routine blood test during an annual physical exam.
- Diagnostic evaluation following abnormal blood work.
Main Results:
- The blood test revealed leukemia, not elevated cholesterol.
- Bone marrow transplant was indicated for survival.
Conclusions:
- Early detection of leukemia can occur unexpectedly during routine health screenings.
- The case highlights the importance of comprehensive blood work and family history in diagnosis.
Abstract:
In the Summer of 1999, Kemp Burleson had what he thought was going to be a rather routine annual physical exam. By his own estimate, at 37-years-old he was in perfect health. There was no warning of what was to come. At his wife's insistence, he asked for a blood test to determine if his cholesterol was elevated, as there was a family history of heart disease. Within days, the results were in. They were not good. It was not a cholesterol problem. He had leukemia and would need a bone marrow transplant to increase his odds for survival. In spite of the attempts to extend his life, he lived only several months following that initial diagnosis. The following is the eulogy that was inspired by our time together in the hospital.