You may be wondering why I have to be here in Seattle for the first 100 days. It's not that the recovery from the chemotherapy and radiation takes that long, but to watch and deal with graft vs. host disease (GVHD). After 100 days it's expected that the worst is over.
GVHD isn't all bad, because I do want the donor's immune system (graft) to fight the cancer in me (host). It's truly a balancing act, to suppress GVHD, but not so much that the new immune system doesn't fight the cancer.
From the beginning, I have been on medication to prevent GVHD, and the balance comes this week when they test my bone marrow for how much cancer is in it. If I have too much cancer, then they'll probably reduce the medication to try to get the new immune system to attack it.
The bad side of GVHD is what it can do to things like the skin, and liver. But hopefully, any symptoms will be manageable.
Now, it's time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs! Go Vancouver!
A Second Cancer
11 months ago
1 comment:
Gary! We had such a good time with your family in Ft. Columbia for the last several days. We missed you and with any luck, next time you'll be there too!
Thanks for sharing your two and keep up the good work for your "graft vs host"---wow this is a complicated process!
Take care,
Lane & Doug
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