Aaron Brumbach’s Fight - Graft vs. Host Disease

On February 25, 2020, my husband, Aaron Brumbach, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He underwent two inductions of chemotherapy at Oregon Heath and Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. On July 15, 2020, he received a bone marrow transplant courtesy of his sister, who was a 100% match. The bone marrow transplant was a success and Aaron has been in remission ever since. Thanks to wonderful donations in 2020, we were able to stay on our feet and take care of our Portland housing and medical bills.

 

Unfortunately, in December 2020, the first signs of Graft vs. Host Disease, when the bone marrow transplant begins attacking organs, presented in Aaron’s liver, eyes, and mouth. With high-dose steroids and chemotherapy pills, Aaron was able to manage his GvHD and see some relief from the discomforting and often painful effects of the disease. We thought he was doing well and getting better each month; that is, until May 2021.

 

Aaron began struggling with O2 levels upon exertion, and this became concerning enough for his transplant team at OHSU to complete CT scans, a bronchoscopy, and a pulmonary function test. At this point, Aaron began needing oxygen at night. His OHSU team determined Aaron had developed GvHD in his lungs. The pulmonary function test showed only a 62% lung volume capacity. The bronchoscopy found a mycrobacterium, which is challenging to cure. Aaron progressed to needing a portable oxygen machine during physical exertion; even just walking became taxing on his breathing. He started a rigorous and toxic antibiotic treatment in August to rid the mycrobacterium.

 

Aaron tried to return to work as a high school English and Social studies teacher in August. He made it two days of inservice before being diagnosed with Covid. On September 17, Aaron experienced a severe pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the pulmonary artery cutting off blood flow to one side of his lungs. He was admitted to the hospital in time; however, the clot was a huge setback with Aaron’s lung functioning and GvHD.

 

Aaron now needs oxygen 24/7. He had to take another leave from work, never returning after those initial two days back — which was utterly heartbreaking for Aaron because he loves his job and hasn’t seen students since his leukemia diagnosis. Aaron hasn’t recovered and his breathing becomes even more labored each day. It is suspected that his lung volume now is extremely low, as he is losing the ability to take deeper breaths, and his airways continue to restrict. Aaron is nearing the end of his battle with GvHD. He’s only 37.

 

Aaron and I have been married for 14 years. We have two wonderful children, ages 9 and 11. We’re both teachers in Redmond, Oregon. The overwhelming support we received after Aaron’s cancer diagnosis was humbling, and people from all over continue to share their support. We are preparing for Aaron’s end-of-life, and we appreciate all the support we continue to receive. We'll need hospice within the next few weeks. The fact that Aaron beat cancer, but will lose to battle to GvHD is so gut wrenching and unfair. He’s an amazing soul. He has a heart for reaching struggling students, the wisdom and humor to be an amazing father, and the love and compassion I cherish in him as a partner in this life. This world is better with Aaron in it.

 

We’ll continue to update you through this heartbreaking journey. Please know we are immensely grateful for your support.

 

-Carrie Brumbach