From Cavity To Cancer

By: Jacob Luecke

Until late 2013, John Johnson had lived a remarkably healthy life. Even as he neared 70 years old, his body remained in near-peak condition. John credited his health to a lifetime of hard work, martial arts, long bike rides and natural medicine practices. At the time, it seemed like his only weak spot was his upper set of teeth, which had become broken and infected.  

“It runs in the family,” John says. So, with a doctor’s advice, he decided to get all his upper teeth removed. 

However, the procedure ended up revealing a much more dangerous problem. 

It started while John recovered at the dentist’s office after having his teeth pulled. As he rested, his mouth wouldn’t stop bleeding. Before long, John became lightheaded.

John’s wife, Kim, could tell the situation was becoming serious. She asked for someone to call an ambulance.

“I was bleeding so bad, I ended up going to the floor and passing out in the dentist’s office,” John says.

Soon, John was being treated at the Boone Hospital Emergency Department where he would continue to lose blood.   He received multiple blood transfusions. 

As they fought to keep John alive, clinicians searched for the problem that was causing John’s dangerous bleeding. They tested John’s blood, discovering his blood counts were well off from normal.

The next morning, John remembers meeting with Uma Ramadoss, MD with Missouri Cancer Associates. That’s when John learned he had leukemia — it was a major shock. 

“Before this, I had no indication that I had any problem,” John says.

John’s specific diagnosis was acute myeloid leukemia. Because this type cancer greatly alters the number of normal white blood cells in a person’s body, patients with John’s diagnosis are often more susceptible to infections — such as John’s teeth — and can bleed easily, among other symptoms.

“He probably had some problems with his teeth before leukemia started,” Dr. Ramadoss says. “However, leukemia probably made it worse.”

Because John’s dental problems helped uncover the cancer, Dr. Ramadoss calls them “a blessing in disguise.”

Treating acute myeloid leukemia requires chemotherapy. Some patients also receive stem cell transplants. 

When Dr. Ramadoss discussed the treatment plan, John knew that chemo would be difficult. At first, John chose to refuse treatment.

Dr. Ramadoss let John know that likely would be a fatal decision. 

“If you do not treat acute leukemia, people die within a matter of a week or two,” Dr. Ramadoss says.

Then John thought ahead, remembering all the things he still wanted to do.

“I do benefits for critically ill children. I put on a big show each April along with the Corvette Club to raise money for the Dream Factory,” he says. “I had to be there. I didn’t have time to die.”

While he still had concerns, John decided to let Dr. Ramadoss and the team at the Stewart Cancer Center try to save his life.

“I told him you can try chemo one time, you get one shot at it,” John says.

John ended up spending the next month and a half at Boone Hospital where he underwent chemotherapy and then spent time recovering. 

It was a difficult and painful time, but John was determined to survive. He said his nurses did everything they could to make him comfortable.

“They were just absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t have been in a better place than the Stewart Cancer Center, there’s just no question,” he says. “I know for a fact that if it wasn’t for Dr. Ramadoss and the staff there, I wouldn’t be here today.”

John also felt comforted by the fact that his wife, Kim, was able to stay by his side in the hospital room. The rooms in the Stewart Cancer Center include pull out couches where a loved one can stay with the patient. John says his nurses cared for Kim and made sure she was comfortable as she stayed by her husband’s side.

However, one big part of John’s life was still missing — his rescued pit bull, Litl’ Bit. John has a very close bond with the dog. 

Staff members informed John that Boone Hospital does allow well-behaved animal companions to come for pre-arranged visits as long as they have been bathed and their shots are up to date.

However, John decided the hospital environment might be too stressful for Litl’ Bit. So instead, one of John’s nurses gave him a stuffed dog that looked like Litl’ Bit. The gesture helped John feel at home.

“That stuffed dog stayed right there on my bed,” he says.

John also made an effort to stay active while in the hospital, walking around his hospital unit whenever he got a chance. Dr. Ramadoss says John’s efforts to stay healthy — both before and after his cancer diagnosis — helped him greatly during his cancer fight.

“He was in very good health before he got leukemia; that was in his favor and definitely helped in his recovery,” Dr. Ramadoss says. “During treatment, many people often get discouraged and stay in their rooms. However, John nearly left footmarks on the medical floor from his walking. He walked every little chance he got so he didn’t lose strength in his muscles.”

During his recovery, John was determined to leave the hospital and be home for Christmas. While that was an aggressive target, he made it — the chemo had sent his cancer into remission.

He remembers how he got the news. His nurses gathered in his room, shared the good news and celebrated with him.

“I had tears in my eyes,” he says. “It takes special people to do what they do, and they’re not just doing it for a job. They are very sincere.”

He also had high praise for Dr. Ramadoss.

“He is an outstanding individual,” John says. “He knows what he’s talking about. He knows leukemia, but he also understands people and he will listen to you. He couldn’t have been any better.”

Dr. Ramadoss says helping people like John is what makes his job so rewarding.

“Anytime you get a successful story like John and you can help them to live longer by giving the treatment, then that’s what we are here for,” he says.

In honor of John’s recovery — he is in remission after spending some time in the hospital around the New Year — he received a special recognition last fall from the Missouri Tigers football team and Boone Hospital.

He was invited onto Faurot Field before the Nov. 28 game against Arkansas where he was named honorary captain of the game — which the Tigers won 21-14. 

“I’m just a redneck country boy, so I’m honored,” John says. “I haven’t ever been in the limelight.