Author: Nancy
Disclaimer: No infringement rights are intended to those who own JAG.
Classification: PG- 13
Category: Harm/Mac Drama
Summary: Although Harm aggressively works to help his brother gain US
citizenship, he fails to provide the needed evidence that Sergei is truly
his father's son. A major life threatening turn of events however creates a
greater need for Sergei to remain in the US.
Part 5
Harm gasped softly and then forced himself to regain his composure, an ability he had carefully cultivated as a pilot and lawyer. He showed no outward emotion as he stared at some benign point on the carpet refusing to make eye contact.
Dr. David Owen remained silent to allow his patient time to comprehend the information he had just shared.
Harm drew in a deep breath and looked at the naval physician. "How did I get this?"
David cleared his throat and began his spiel. "Radiation exposure or the current theories suggest an unidentified virus may be linked to the cause."
"In other words, you don't know." Harm replied tonelessly.
"No I don't. Twenty percent of all leukemias are of this type. Many people think of leukemia as a childhood cancer, but this type is seen mostly in adults of your age group." David explained. "The good news is that your cancer is in the chronic phase which means with chemotherapy we should be able to attain remission."
"What is the survival rate?" Harm asked soberly.
"Three to four years after the onset of the chronic phase, but there is a ten percent curative rate." David added sounding rather clinical. "With a bone marrow transplant the curative rates are much higher." He heard himself say and thought 'if funding allows it'.
"Well then why don't you do the bone marrow transplant?" Harm asked anxiously.
"That may become an option later, but let's first see how you respond to chemotherapy. BMT's are not without risks and a suitable donor must be found." Owens explained cautiously. "I'll give you information to read about the treatments, but for now I want to get you started on chemo."
Harm rubbed his forehead, "From what I've seen, chemotherapy nearly kills a person if the cancer doesn't first."
"I will start you on two medications that will kill the rapidly growing cells in your body which includes the malignant cells. Both Myleran and Hydroxyurea are taken orally which will be convenient for you. You will have lab work drawn weekly or as indicated to monitor you blood count. The main side effects include fatigue, dyspnea or shortness of breath, joint pain, nausea, vomiting and alopecia or hair loss. The severity of the side effects is individualized, and I will give you meds for relief. Another adverse effect is sterility. Many of my patients opt to bank their sperm."
"This sounds like one of those bad drug commercials on TV. This drug will extend your life if you feel like having one while your on this drug." Harm's tone had a bitter edge.
"I'm not going to belittle you by offering reassuring clichés Harm. I did a little reading from your medical history. You've survived some pretty harrowing experiences, so I am being absolutely straight with you. This will be the hardest battle of your life, but I believe that you are a survivor. I promise to do whatever I can to keep you that way." David put aside the chart as well as his clinical coolness.
Harm dropped his guard and smiled sadly extending his hand. "I am going to hold you to that promise Doctor."
David reached out and grasped his new patient's hand. "One more thing to add to your list of things you don't want to hear. No travel until your blood count stabilizes."
"That's impossible. Do you know what I do? I'm a JAG. I have to travel." Harm was reaching his limit.
"I'll send your CO a limited duty request." David responded flatly. He would win in this battle of wills.
"No, I'll handle it." Harm replied quickly.
"Alright." David agreed cautiously as Harm stood up to leave. "Harm, I mean it, no travel. It's too risky, you could get an infection or injure yourself. You don't have the defenses to handle either."
Harm frowned and nodded.
"He's not telling anyone." Gwen commented after Harm left the office.
"He's typical military. Has to be strong for everyone else. Show no weakness." David concluded as he scribbled in Harm's chart.
"But who's going to be strong for him?" Gwen sighed sympathetically.
* NancyT's Stories * Please send Feedback! *
