One Veteran’s remarkable cancer journey

In 1966, 17-year old Steve Harmon joined the Marine Corps. During his service, he deployed to Vietnam where he led a reconnaissance squad in some of the conflict’s most intense and historic moments.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Harmon transitioned into a career in health care, dedicating himself to serving Veterans as an Intensive Care Unit nurse for 35 years.

“Helping Veterans has always been a big part of my life and nursing in many ways has been a continuation of my duty to serve,” he shared.

His journey in nursing led him to become the second male nurse at Sioux Falls VA in South Dakota. His nursing career later took him to Hawaii where he worked at a private hospital. After a fulfilling career in nursing, Harmon retired and relocated to Sioux Falls to be closer to family.

In 2024, he received a diagnosis of bone marrow cancer.

A rare cancer diagnosis

Harmon’s diagnosis was high-risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). MDS is a bone marrow disorder that causes low blood cell counts, fatigue, weakness, bleeding and infections, and carries the risk of turning into acute leukemia, a type of blood cancer. As his strength waned in the early days of his diagnosis, he struggled to even lift his head.

“I was so weak. I felt like I was almost ready to die,” he said.

Harmon was able to find care and support through Sioux Falls VA. In collaboration with his oncology team, they conducted extensive testing and coordinated genetic testing through a private vendor. The genetic testing showed an IDH2 mutation and he has been on targeted therapy with Enasidenib (an oral IDH2 inhibitor) since then. This targeted therapy has been a breakthrough in his treatment and offered him a new chance at life.

A path forward

“I owe my life to VA. The care I have received has been beyond anything I could have imagined. My oncology team has been incredibly thorough and the new medication I’m on is nothing short of a miracle. I remember when I couldn’t even turn myself over in my hospital bed, but now, thanks to this treatment, I’m living at home, can take a shower and go grocery shopping,” he said.

Harmon receives his care from Dr. Daphne Friedman, who is an MDS expert, Hematologist/Oncologist at Durham VA and National TeleOncology service, and deputy director of VA’s National Oncology Program.

Despite being located hundreds of miles away, Friedman prescribed and guided Harmon’s therapy and management with the assistance of on-site nurses and nurse practitioners, as well as other remote oncology team members, including nurses and oncology pharmacists.

“It’s great to have Dr. Friedman on my side. She has not only been my doctor but also a pillar of support for both me and my daughter. My daughter has been my second set of ears, ensuring that I’m always informed even when I am too ill to communicate. She has attended numerous appointments with me. We started with weekly visits but thanks to the care from Dr. Friedman and my team, I’m now down to monthly check-ins and my daughter can take a step back,” Harmon added.

Harmon’s journey is a testament to the invaluable collaboration between patients, their caregivers, local VA providers and specialized oncology providers like Friedman with the whole NTO team.

Learn more about VA’s National Precision Oncology Program or watch “Precision Care.”