Lots going on

Tom is now in isolation because he has at least one type of pneumonia, bronchial, and possibly a second type, mycoplasmal. He has a low hematocrit level (red blood cells) which requires a blood transfusion today. He's continuing to have gastrointestinal problems: diarreah, nausea, cramping, inability to keep food down. He also has tiny blisters on his hands and feet, and swollen ankles.

These are all symptoms of graft versus host disease (GVHD) in which the donor's cells attack Tom's body or Tom's body rejects the donor's cells. One or the other is seen as a foreign object.

Tomorrow Tom is scheduled to have a colonoscopy and an endoscopy so the doctors can determine if his gastrointestinal problems are in fact caused by GVHD. So far Tom doesn't have a feeding tube.

In summary:
1) Isolation
2) Two types of pneumonia - mycoplasmal and bronchial
3) Low hematocrit level requiring blood transfusion
4) Lower back pain from poor posture
5) Colonoscopy and endoscopy
6) Blistering
7) Hospitalized 7-10 more days








Me in isolation!
Seriously, this is what I have to wear.