a new issue - chronic GVHD

Another update on me...first, all of my 1 year test results are back, and there are no signs of active cancer anywhere, for which I am thankful, but not surprised, as the tests have been this way since the transplant. It is really what I expected, though I was still a bit nervous, and still prayed for this outcome!

Second, I have now been officially diagnosed with chronic graft-vs-host disease (cGVHD), which in short, is where the graft (the new me, or donor cells) are now attacking not only the cancer (which is what we want, and the whole idea behind doing the transplant in the first place!, but also the host (the old me). A little bit of this is a good thing, but it's gone past that point for me, and is affecting my skin, lips, mouth, & throat. So, I've started a new drug treatment regimen for this that includes both steroids and more immune suppressing drugs (again), which means I will once again be more susceptible to infection, and will consequently have to avoid the public and especially large crowds (i.e. church) for the time being. This will be true for at least the next couple of months, but exactly how long will be determined by how my body reacts to this new drug regimen and what "balance point" is found in suppressing the negative symptoms while allowing the immune system to function normally and prevent infection. It will be a careful act of monitoring and balancing blood levels, drug levels, symptoms, and signs of infection to make sure it's all working smoothly. It is looking like all of this will require, at least for the time being, more frequent visits to the doctors than I've been doing (I had been down to once per month in NH and once per month here in Brunswick), probably requiring at least once or twice a week here in Brunswick in addition to at least a monthly visit to NH. This will probably take a least 6-9 months before I can think of being off these drugs, though for many cGVHD patients, it takes 2 years or more, and for some, it requires being on at least some of the drugs for the rest of their lives. Only God knows the future, and only time will tell what my case will be.
This is now a new chapter in my cancer journey - the cancer is gone, but has been replaced by these new issues. The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel I had been seeing has indeed turned out to be another train coming my way, and while not as big, scary, or destructive as the "cancer train", it's another change in plans and expectations, and will require going somewhere new that I really don't want to go (even if it's just a detour on my way to health and wholeness!) I am praying for new and proper perspective on all of this, and hoping it is indeed a short diversion and not a new destination. As always, your prayers, love, concern, and encouragement are appreciated and coveted.