Few people have survived the nightmare of a stem cell transplant gone sideways. Poet and professor Brad Buchanan was diagnosed with a rare form of T-cell lymphoma in February 2015, and after chemotherapy and radiation treatments, underwent a stem cell transplant at the U.C. Davis Medical Center in 2016. The transplant entailed 129 days in the hospital, a significant though temporary loss of vision and a lengthy recovery period at home. During this time, he experienced yet another medical complication. After participating in a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering, he was declared cancer-free in early 2017, and is currently still in remission. However, his acute graft-versus-host disease has become a chronic illness, and he was forced to retire early from Sacramento State. He now co-facilitates a writing workshop aimed at helping people dealing with issues of illness, disability and recovery. “Chimera,” his fourth book of poetry, explores his ordeal and his amazing recovery. In this week’s episode of Watching America, he speaks with Dr. Alan Campbell about his journey. https://www.bradthechimera.com.