I was initially hospitalized for chemo for six weeks, then more chemo once a month 5 days at a time, until I was ready for my transplant. Chemo definitely wasn’t a walk in the park, but with my type of mutations it was my only option. I was 51 at that time and wanted to live.

GVHD is graft v host disease. It’s something that people with stem cell transplants can develop, where the new immune system starts attacking different organs. My clinical trial started on the day after my transplant and was to study whether a certain drug would decrease the likelihood of getting GVHD. I had to quit the trial, since it was affecting my kidneys and I was getting close to needing dialysis.

I do have GVHD of the skin, but I am on medication for it and it’s under control.

I know, all this sounds scary and no one is prepared to deal with this diagnosis. I hope your friend is able to get the best possible treatment. Making treatment decisions is challenging!