In this episode, we talk with caregiver Sylvia Chunn of Nashville, who shares her journey alongside her husband David through his diagnosis of AML, a stem cell transplant, and the ongoing challenges of GVHD. Sylvia walks us through their intense timeline, from David’s emergency diagnosis in January 2024 to his transplant in July and their extended stay in Atlanta, away from home and their teenage children, until February 2025. Her husband’s transplant was successful in its purpose, but complications like heart failure and GVHD turned their lives upside down.

We explore the caregiving experience through Sylvia’s eyes, especially navigating chronic GVHD symptoms that affect David’s gut, eyes, mouth, joints, and skin. She explains how their lives are now filled with medical appointments, medications, and managing side effects from treatment. Sylvia describes her role as a blend of cheerleader and drill sergeant, ensuring medications are taken and appointments kept, while also offering emotional support.

Sylvia emphasizes the importance of self-care during the process. With limited financial flexibility, she found peace in simple things like reading through a Facebook book club, daily personal devotions, and leaning on her faith. Exercise helped at times, although maintaining consistency was difficult. She openly shares that she sought mental health support, including therapy and medication, to deal with stress, guilt, and isolation.

The conversation turns to how this journey has affected intimacy and family dynamics. Sylvia candidly reflects on how medical realities changed their physical relationship but ultimately brought them emotionally closer. Time spent together—reading, reminiscing, and watching shows—became a new form of connection. They rediscovered old routines from their early marriage and built a stronger bond through shared trials.

Sylvia also shares how their children, especially their youngest teenage twins and their adult daughter in medical school, responded to the crisis. She notes how her kids matured emotionally, became more empathetic, and stepped up in unexpected ways.

We close with Sylvia offering heartfelt advice to other caregivers: keep showing up, stay grateful, and never forget the power of hope. She reminds us that while this journey is incredibly difficult, it's also filled with unexpected moments of closeness, resilience, and love.

Thanks to our Season 19 sponsors, Incyte and Sanofi.

https://incyte.com/

https://www.sanofi.com/en

00:40 - Introduction to Sylvia Chunn
01:15 - David’s AML Diagnosis and Transplant Decision
02:10 - Living Away from Home for Treatment
03:40 - Navigating Chronic GVHD
05:30 - Caregiver Role and Daily Routine
06:40 - Self-Care and Coping Strategies
08:20 - Mental Health Support for Caregivers
09:40 - Isolation and Infection Risks
11:55 - Impact on Intimacy and Marriage
16:20 - Parenting Through the Crisis
18:40 - Reflections on Family Growth
20:40 - Final Thoughts and Advice to Caregivers

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

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

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To participate in the GVHD Mosaic, click here: https://amp.livemosaics.com/gvhd

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