My father-in-law died from the cure for his leukemia
Brad Buchanan miraculously survived the same treatment for his lymphoma
The treatment that was supposed to save my father-in-law’s life is what killed him.
Complications from graft-versus-host disease. His donor’s immune system attacked his body after the stem cell transplant. Too young and brutal.
So when I had the chance to interview Dr. Brad Buchanan—a poet and professor who survived one of the worst cases of GVHD his oncologist had ever seen—I wanted to know how he’s still here. And what I learned could save your life or someone you love.
Brad’s story starts like many aggressive lymphoma cases: chemo didn’t work. The cancer kept coming back. His only option was a stem cell transplant from his younger brother—a perfect 10-out-of-10 match.
What happened next nearly killed him.
His brother’s immune system didn’t recognize Brad’s body as friendly territory. It attacked. His skin peeled off in sheets. He went completely blind for 18 months. His esophagus narrowed until he could barely swallow. Nine out of ten people die from acute GVHD this severe.
But here’s the paradox Brad lives with every single day: that same hostile immune system trying to destroy him is probably the only reason his cancer hasn’t come back.
The cure is the threat. The gift is the danger.
What you need to know right now:
First, most hospitals don’t have GVHD experts—even major cancer centers. Brad’s doctors initially dismissed his symptoms as “too early” for GVHD. That delay almost cost him his life. If you or someone you love is getting a stem cell transplant, educate yourself on GVHD symptoms before you leave the hospital. Don’t wait for doctors to connect the dots.
Second, GVHD can show up in ways you’d never expect. Eye pain. Trouble swallowing. Liver problems. Lung issues. Skin changes months after transplant. Brad keeps a list of symptoms in his book “Living with Graft versus Host Disease” because he’s met too many people whose doctors missed the signs.
Brad lost his teaching career. Lost his ability to play sports with his kids. Lost the life he built before cancer.
But he found something else—a way to help other survivors, especially men who were never taught to express what they’re feeling, put words to the impossible.
He’s still here. Still writing poetry. Still keeping a pinky promise to his daughter that he’ll live long enough to meet her children.
Want to hear Brad’s full story and his top five things you need to know about acute and chronic GVHD?
Get the full episode.
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