1/28/11
1/28/2011
Every thing went good with Larry's treatment today. He's feeling a little better. We can't thank you enough for all your prayers and support that every one has been giving us.
1/27/11
1/27/2011
Every thing went very good today with Larry got home at 9:00pm long day. Go back down tomorrow. A doctor told Larry today that they are having good results with this kind of treatment. There are 24 of these treatments. We got one down and 23 more to go. 8}
Julia & Larry
Julia & Larry
1/20/11
1/20/2011
OMG the roads were very bad going, and coming home from Columbus today. Left the hospital at 4:00pm and got home at 8:45pm. The doctor didn't have to much to say today, but he's backing off on his anti-immune system Meds., because of all his trimmers and shaking going on with him. Go back in four weeks.
1/4/11
1/4/2011
This is what we found out what Larry has. We'll be on the road a lot for his treatments to try and stop the GVHD.
Pulmonary Graft Versus Host Disease
This is what's going on with Larry. After allogeneic (from another person) stem cell transplantation, it is possible for the transplanted cells to react with the body. Usually this is in organs such as the skin, gastrointestinal tract and liver; but the lung can also be a target. This is referred to as chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). The most common from of chronic lung GVHD is called Bronchiolitis Obliterans.
Bronchiolitis Obliterans is a disease that results in scarring and narrowing of the airways. About 8-25% of people may develop some from of this after this type of transplant.
Complications
Patients with bronchiolitis or lung GVHD may have a risk of collapsed lung or pneumothorax. This is when air gets around the lung instead of inside the lung and causes problems. Symptoms of this may be suddenly feeling very short of breath or having chest pain on one side of the chest.
Frequent infections or flare-ups can be a problem when you have chronic lung disease. You may need antibiotics or a short course of steroids if this happens.
Treatment
Although there is not a cure for bronchiolitis obliterans, there are several treatments that can make you feel better, lessen your symptoms, and help you do more activity.
I have a list of the treatments they can try if you would like to know just e-mail me and I'll send it to you.
Pulmonary Graft Versus Host Disease
This is what's going on with Larry. After allogeneic (from another person) stem cell transplantation, it is possible for the transplanted cells to react with the body. Usually this is in organs such as the skin, gastrointestinal tract and liver; but the lung can also be a target. This is referred to as chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD). The most common from of chronic lung GVHD is called Bronchiolitis Obliterans.
Bronchiolitis Obliterans is a disease that results in scarring and narrowing of the airways. About 8-25% of people may develop some from of this after this type of transplant.
Complications
Patients with bronchiolitis or lung GVHD may have a risk of collapsed lung or pneumothorax. This is when air gets around the lung instead of inside the lung and causes problems. Symptoms of this may be suddenly feeling very short of breath or having chest pain on one side of the chest.
Frequent infections or flare-ups can be a problem when you have chronic lung disease. You may need antibiotics or a short course of steroids if this happens.
Treatment
Although there is not a cure for bronchiolitis obliterans, there are several treatments that can make you feel better, lessen your symptoms, and help you do more activity.
I have a list of the treatments they can try if you would like to know just e-mail me and I'll send it to you.
1/3/11
1/3/2011
We're back home from Columbus, and everything went really good. The two ports are in place. We go down to Columbus tomorrow to see the lung specialist. I will let you know what we find out.
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