Update

Dear All,

An update has been long over due. The delay is due to the fact that I was in and out of hospital few times -  from 29th of October to 13th Of November. I was down with GVHD (Graft-versus-Host-Disease ). Well, the good part is that having GVHD  indicates that the body(T-cells) is capable of fighting out foreign cells. This also means that the chances of relapse are reduced. So it was sort of a mixed reaction for my admission as the Doctors were happy that I had some form of GVHD ( Stage 2 ) and they could bring its effects down by administering some steroids and Cyclosporin which was in-fact stopped about a week before 29th.

As the GVHD had effected my liver and stomach detailed Endoscopic studies and tissue biopsies were done to ensure the extent of problem and decide on the dosage of the drugs regime that was to be followed. The GVHD was brought under control with in the first week. However, due to the Steroids, my body had bloated up and the water retention in my body increased which increased my weight from 54 kg to 61 kg within 7 days.

Normally it is un-coded law that what you get within the 1st 100 days of your BMT is considered or termed Acute GVHD and what appears after 100 days is considered as Chronic GVHD. What I have had is both Acute and Chronic but within controllable limits. This is why for the 1st 100days they want you closer to the hospital so that any sort of Acute GVHD can be treated by them.

Now they would have to stabilize my condition with the dosage of the Steroids which they tapper down the bare minimum and also the dosage of the cyclosporine is regulated for a normal level.

I am going for weekly check ups and the good news is with all these variations my counts are all holding good and hence the general health condition is fine.

Coming weeks would answer the future plans for me and my Vellore stay is fast approaching 365 days( One year so to say).

Regards

Rajesh