Another week at home passed by. And just as it started, we got a taste of what my doctor predicted, namely that GVHD will start to manifest itself one way or another. He was even more specific, saying that rejection symptoms typically start around the 3rd month after transplant, and that usually the new immune system attacks the skin, the mouth or the digestion system. For me, it was the first two. I have developed some sores on my gums and tongue, and over the past weekend developed a rash in many parts, especially hands and feet. The combination of these, some quite painful, with the neuropathic pains, gave me a few sleep deprived nights. Describing these in e-mail to my doctor (they are very good with reading and responding to messages!) caused him to call me for inspection in NY.
Well, medicine does have solutions to some problems (certainly the transplant itself is a huge example): a combination of a new neuropathic medication prescribed by a pain doctor (MSK has many doctors besides oncologists, doing “complementary medicine”), and various lotions (one with steroids) for the rash, and time passing for healing the mouth sores all combined to give me good night sleep in the past few nights. I sure hope this continues, as all these symptoms are not completely gone. And, GVHD may have more plans in mind…
Otherwise, we continue with the routine. I again went a couple of times to IAS, and talked to some of my postdocs. Social life is resuming as we like it, with Princeton friends we have not seen for a long time. Now Edna’s brother and sister in law are visiting for a week. The picture is from a walk I took with them in the Institute’s woods (which reminds of the proverb “only fools get into situations they cannot get out of”, although I eventually did get out – the magical healing of my back, and my greatly improved physical condition prevailed).
