A few years ago, Jody Wathen was feeling tired all the time, but she was in her mid-60s and figured it was just part of getting older. Then in the summer of 2023, she had severe pain her right armpit. As a heart attack survivor, she was concerned that the pain could be a symptom of a heart problem, so she went to her local emergency room. Tests ruled out a heart attack, but the pain was still severe, so Jody scheduled an ultrasound of the area. She also saw her primary care physician, who didn’t find anything unusual during an exam, but recommended a mammogram.
The mammogram didn’t find any evidence of breast cancer, but it did show irregularities in her lymph nodes. After a CT scan suggested lymphoma--a type of blood cancer that affects the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and other organs--Jody was referred to a hematologist/oncologist. Her daughter, who was her advocate throughout her diagnosis and treatment, found hematologist/oncologist Rumaisa Hameed, MD, at MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center and Jody was able to see Dr. Hammed later that week.
Dr. Hameed asked Jody if she had been experiencing any of the symptoms that are common with lymphoma, including fevers, night sweats, severe fatigue, and weight loss and Jody said she had. To gather the information needed to make a diagnosis, Dr. Hameed ordered a PET scan, bone marrow biopsy, and excisional biopsy of a lymph node.
Working closely with her surgical oncology colleagues, radiologists, and the hemopathologist at MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute, Dr. Hameed carefully reviewed Jody’s imaging and biopsy slides to reach a diagnosis of stage 3 follicular lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The case was also presented to a multidisciplinary tumor board at the hospital. Dr. Hameed then developed a treatment plan that included chemotherapy and a targeted monoclonal antibody
“A multidisciplinary approach is especially important when diagnosing and treating this highly complex disease,” noted Dr. Hameed.
“Dr. Hameed was fantastic,” says Jody. “She was thorough and explained my diagnosis and the treatment she was recommending. She was also extremely responsive and proactive, calling me the day she got the results from my diagnostic tests.”
Jody underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and targeted therapy and was impressed with the staff at the infusion center at MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Southern Maryland. “Everyone was extremely professional, friendly, and polite.”
After her treatment was complete, a PET scan showed there was no remaining evidence of the cancer, and she was in remission. Jody sees Dr. Hameed every four months for scans and bloodwork, and she remains cancer-free.
“If you feel something isn’t right, you know your body best, so keep following up,” recommends Jody. Dr. Hameed agrees. “It’s very important to pay attention to your body and seek medical attention if you’re experiencing anything out of the ordinary, especially symptoms like fevers, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.”
“I have nothing but good things to say about everyone at MedStar Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Southern Maryland. I’m glad there’s expert cancer care closer to home,” adds Jody.