Harry Johnston: Enjoying Life and Making the Best of Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD)

In June of 2016, 69 year old retired CPA Harry Johnston went on a safari in South Africa. He did not feel well and even thought he'd been bitten by a tick. Turns out, he was diagnosed with AML. But there is good news. 

Tune in as Harry shares his transplant story and Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD) issues that began in 2019. He had thickening of the fascia – the layer of tissue below the skin. This caused tightening around the stomach, which interfered with air intake. Then he had to change studies and centers due to COVID protocols. Harry shares that although they have been unable to reverse the effects of his GVHD, the clinical trials have helped reduce the progression of the GVHD as different drugs were introduced.

And you have to hear the story of how Harry met his donor, a woman in Sweden, through luck and perseverance.

Harry will share that although his lifestyle is certainly somewhat restricted, he and his family are enjoying life.  In fact, he just made his first post-COVID venture to Montana for a week of fly fishing.

The information in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your health care provider regarding your medical decisions and treatment. The listed resources are not intended to be endorsements.

Resources: 

National Bone Marrow Transplant Link - (800) LINK-BMT, or (800) 546-5268.

nbmtLINK website: https://www.nbmtlink.org/

nbmtLINK Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/nbmtLINK

Thank you to this season's sponsors:

Incyte Corporation: https://www.incyte.com/

Kadmon: https://kadmon.com/

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