Managing Graft vs Host (GVH) Disease, Day +25

This is Charles'(Aaron's) dad, Don, making this update. Charles has been dealing with Graft vs Host (GVH) disease ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graft_vs_host_disease ) for the past two weeks.

The three things that he has been dealing with are 1.) temperature (104), 2.) mouth and throat sores and 3.) diarrhea. GVH is something that all marrow transplant patients have to deal with. The body is quite particular about what is put into it. When those things are foreign - is gets very defensive. The main task of the Drs/nurses here at OHSU is to help the body deal with the new marrow. They deal with GVH and its side affects. The wonderful nurse, Emily, tells us that GVH predominately affects: gut, skin and liver. The cause of the mouth and throat sores was his lowered white cell count from the heavy duty chemo therapy before the transplant. Once his white cells began to return the sores began to heal. While he had the sores his meals hung from a med tree and were introduced by IV. These sores have healed. His temperature went up to 104 and they gave him Tylenol and benadryl. They did many tests to determine the cause of the temperature but found none. The most likely cause is infection of some sort. They even gave him an H1N1 vaccination. Temperature is now normal. The most challenging has been the diarrhea. They took a CT scan of his intestines last Tuesday and a colonoscopy yesterday to determine the cause. They found that his intestines are inflamed because of GVH. They are letting his intestines rest by giving him his meals IV again and they are treating with steroids.

Another affect of the GVH is a skin rash. The rash is treated with skin creams. This is not too bothersome but can itch. Check the photo out.
So, Charles as been kinda "drained" with all that is going on. He appreciates the many dear friends and family that he has. He is looking forward to the time he will be released. After a month and 2 days his hospital room is pretty small. The Drs/nurses and staff here at OHSU are wonderful!!!

The Christmas ornament at the top of this posting is Charles' favorite.

Sending our love to all!