Had my monthly Zometa infusion yesterday; no big deal. When I first stated taking Zometa, I had numerous aches and pains; but these no longer occur.
I also got last week's (9/17/2010) lab results: Igg up to 1506 mg/dl from 1503; M-spike stayed the same at 1.2 g/dl; and Kappa LC increased to 2.68 mg/dl from 2.55. Overall, very litle change. At this point, I'm inclined to stay off chemo for another month.
I feel reasonably good.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
September 16, 2010
Last Tuesday I drove over to Crescent Beach and walked in the surf; the weather was nice and the beach was almost empty. Stopped off on the way home for beer and shrimp. Very thankful that I can do day trips by myself.
Had the clinic send me a copy of all my treatment charges (doesn't include physician's charges) from Sept 1, 2009 thru August 31, 2010. They total almost $225,000; Medicare, however, doesn't pay this rate. My total cost was only $500. I
also have a cancer policy; will submit it this weekend. Probably will turn out that I am making a profit on my myeloma.
Myeloma is a terrible disease; but without insurance it would be an absolute nightmare.
Had the clinic send me a copy of all my treatment charges (doesn't include physician's charges) from Sept 1, 2009 thru August 31, 2010. They total almost $225,000; Medicare, however, doesn't pay this rate. My total cost was only $500. I
also have a cancer policy; will submit it this weekend. Probably will turn out that I am making a profit on my myeloma.
Myeloma is a terrible disease; but without insurance it would be an absolute nightmare.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
September 12, 2010
Chemo or no chemo:
I have now been off chemo for about 2 1/2 months and I feet quite good; however my numbers (Igg, M-spike, and Kappa LC) are probably getting worse; I will know my new numbers in about 10 days after my 9/17/10 O/H visit. This is always a dilemma; feel good with worsening numbers or feel bad with improving numbers.
Of course I will go back on chemo if my numbers worsen significantly.
With Myeloma, the cure is often worse than the disease.
Oh well
I have now been off chemo for about 2 1/2 months and I feet quite good; however my numbers (Igg, M-spike, and Kappa LC) are probably getting worse; I will know my new numbers in about 10 days after my 9/17/10 O/H visit. This is always a dilemma; feel good with worsening numbers or feel bad with improving numbers.
Of course I will go back on chemo if my numbers worsen significantly.
With Myeloma, the cure is often worse than the disease.
Oh well
Friday, September 10, 2010
September 10, 2010
I haven't posted for a while; but I have been busy. On August 7, 2010, my family had a surprise birthday party for me. Four daughters and a bunch of grand kids came over and we had a good time. On the 28th I went to a high school reunion in Georgia, which I combined with a business trip.
I completed by my 12 days of radiation on August 6 of the T-7-9 vertebra; this was no big deal. Since I wasn't in any pain, I didn't feel any difference. Most folks with Myeloma feel better after radiation. On August 24, I had my 17th Zometa treatment; these treatments will continue until I have completed a total of 24.
I am still concerned about blood sugar, which may be elevated due to my dex that I take with my Velcade and weekly 10 mg of pills. Right now I am trying to reduce intake of carbs and sugars; will have this rechecked in early 2011.
My last WBC and platelets were 5.3 and 230 thou/cu mm respectively. Hemoglobin and RBC were in the middle of the normal range. Memocrit and Neutophils were in the upper normal range.
Creatinine remains low at 0.9 mg/dl.
Igg increased from 1381 mg/dl on 7/27 to 1503 on 8/10. Still normal; but not moving in the right direction. M-spike increased from 1.1 g/dl to 1.2 over the same time period. Again, not the direction that I wanted. Kappa light chains also increased from 2.36 mg/dl to 2.55. I have an appointment with the H/O on the 17th; and I suspect that I will go back on chemotherapy. Since the numbers did not change drastically, I elected to remain off chemotherapy for another month (i.e., late September).
I have now been off Velcade since June 29th and my neuropathy is definitely diminishing. Actually I feel quite good.
I still don't sleep on the day that I take the dex pills; but during the day, I do nap and generally feel good and productive.
I completed by my 12 days of radiation on August 6 of the T-7-9 vertebra; this was no big deal. Since I wasn't in any pain, I didn't feel any difference. Most folks with Myeloma feel better after radiation. On August 24, I had my 17th Zometa treatment; these treatments will continue until I have completed a total of 24.
I am still concerned about blood sugar, which may be elevated due to my dex that I take with my Velcade and weekly 10 mg of pills. Right now I am trying to reduce intake of carbs and sugars; will have this rechecked in early 2011.
My last WBC and platelets were 5.3 and 230 thou/cu mm respectively. Hemoglobin and RBC were in the middle of the normal range. Memocrit and Neutophils were in the upper normal range.
Creatinine remains low at 0.9 mg/dl.
Igg increased from 1381 mg/dl on 7/27 to 1503 on 8/10. Still normal; but not moving in the right direction. M-spike increased from 1.1 g/dl to 1.2 over the same time period. Again, not the direction that I wanted. Kappa light chains also increased from 2.36 mg/dl to 2.55. I have an appointment with the H/O on the 17th; and I suspect that I will go back on chemotherapy. Since the numbers did not change drastically, I elected to remain off chemotherapy for another month (i.e., late September).
I have now been off Velcade since June 29th and my neuropathy is definitely diminishing. Actually I feel quite good.
I still don't sleep on the day that I take the dex pills; but during the day, I do nap and generally feel good and productive.
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