But even his law enforcement training and keen instincts couldn't have prepared the 30-year-old for the chain of events that began in January 2010. A car ran a stop sign, colliding with Scott's police cruiser. The accident resulted in whiplash, but that would be the least of Scott's worries.
"My neck bothered me for a couple weeks," Scott explains. "Then, one day I suddenly couldn't catch my breath and my heart was racing a mile a minute."
Scott called his parents and had them take him to Ocean Medical Center's Emergency Department, where he was admitted to the hospital. A series of tests provided startling results: Scott had acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Girish Amin, M.D., is the hematologist/oncologist at Ocean who treated Scott. "Leukemia is cancer of the blood and bone marrow," says Dr. Amin. "APL is not a very common form. It affects specific blood cells, and between 600 and 800 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. At one time, it was one of the most deadly forms of leukemia, but today it has the highest cure rate if identified and treated in a timely fashion."
"I learned that this is a rapidly moving disease that gets worse very quickly," says Scott. "It's a good thing I went to the Emergency Department that night."
After four days in the hospital, Scott began chemotherapy at Ocean's outpatient infusion center. He was there five times a week for five weeks, took two weeks off, and then started another five-week cycle.
"Scott's rare disease required a type of chemotherapy that can have fatal cardiovascular effects, so it was very important for him to be an active participant in his care," explains Marlene Navarro, R.N., the assistant nurse manager at the center. "He had to have lab work and EKG testing frequently, and report any symptoms. His compliance, positive attitude, and supportive family all contributed to his recovery."
Scott praises Dr. Amin and the nurses for their fantastic care. "They were incredibly accommodating and really took the time to answer questions and make sure I knew what was happening every step of the way," says Scott.
Family played an important role in Scott's experience, which includes his colleagues on the police force. "I couldn't have gotten through it without them," he says.
Now back to work, Scott adds, "An experience like this puts things in perspective with life, family, friends, and work."
Board certified in Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology
Brick | 732-840-8880
"My neck bothered me for a couple weeks," Scott explains. "Then, one day I suddenly couldn't catch my breath and my heart was racing a mile a minute."
Scott called his parents and had them take him to Ocean Medical Center's Emergency Department, where he was admitted to the hospital. A series of tests provided startling results: Scott had acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Girish Amin, M.D., is the hematologist/oncologist at Ocean who treated Scott. "Leukemia is cancer of the blood and bone marrow," says Dr. Amin. "APL is not a very common form. It affects specific blood cells, and between 600 and 800 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. At one time, it was one of the most deadly forms of leukemia, but today it has the highest cure rate if identified and treated in a timely fashion."
"I learned that this is a rapidly moving disease that gets worse very quickly," says Scott. "It's a good thing I went to the Emergency Department that night."
After four days in the hospital, Scott began chemotherapy at Ocean's outpatient infusion center. He was there five times a week for five weeks, took two weeks off, and then started another five-week cycle.
"Scott's rare disease required a type of chemotherapy that can have fatal cardiovascular effects, so it was very important for him to be an active participant in his care," explains Marlene Navarro, R.N., the assistant nurse manager at the center. "He had to have lab work and EKG testing frequently, and report any symptoms. His compliance, positive attitude, and supportive family all contributed to his recovery."
Scott praises Dr. Amin and the nurses for their fantastic care. "They were incredibly accommodating and really took the time to answer questions and make sure I knew what was happening every step of the way," says Scott.
Family played an important role in Scott's experience, which includes his colleagues on the police force. "I couldn't have gotten through it without them," he says.
Now back to work, Scott adds, "An experience like this puts things in perspective with life, family, friends, and work."
About the Doctor
Girish S. Amin, M.D.Board certified in Internal Medicine and Hematology/Oncology
Brick | 732-840-8880
