Went to see the H/O today; lab results were better than last month; so we will hold chemo off for another month. The plan continues to be that if lab results worsen, then I will schedule a stem cell transplant.
Will continue on Zometa through March of 2011 (24 total infusions); after that infusions will probably drop to 1 every 2-3 months.
Here are the labs: WBC 4.70 up from 4.2 from October 19; Hemoglobin 15.2 up from 14.9; platelets 264 down from 273; and RBC 4.75 up from 467. All are in the normal range.
IGG was 1459 down from 1506 on September 17(still in normal range); IGA and IGM were both up slightly (still below normal but improving since September 17); M-spike was 1.1 down from 1.2; Kappa LC was 2.27 down from 2.68; Lamba LC was 0.17 up from 0.10 (good) and the Kappa/Lamba ratio was down from 26.80.
Had my flu shot on the 16th and my teeth cleaned on 12th; trying to stay healthy.
Today is dex day so I probably won't sleep tonight. I have learned to deal with this so its not that big a problem.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
October 19, 2010
Had my monthly Zometa infusion today; the infusion center was slow; spent 2 1/2 hrs there from start to finish. Creatine was .9, WBC was 4.2, HG was 14.9, platelets were 273, abd RBCs were 4.67. All good.
Friday, October 8, 2010
October 8, 2010
Today is dex day; 10 mg in the morning. Dex makes me feel good during the day; but I probably won't sleep tonight. However, tomorrow I will take an Ambien and sleep quite well. This is my pattern now, stay up all night on dex and then get a good night's sleep the next. The dosage that I take is low and so far manageable.
I got my second check from AFLAC on Monday. It covered a years worth of chemo and 12radiation treatments. The AFLAC payments now exceed all my premium payments going back to 1986 and all of my non-insurance covered medical payments. In other words, I have made a profit off my myeloma.
We have made a reservation for a two night stay in St. Augustine next week; the weather in Florida is nice now (low 80s in the day) and walks on the beach will be quite enjoyable.
I got my second check from AFLAC on Monday. It covered a years worth of chemo and 12radiation treatments. The AFLAC payments now exceed all my premium payments going back to 1986 and all of my non-insurance covered medical payments. In other words, I have made a profit off my myeloma.
We have made a reservation for a two night stay in St. Augustine next week; the weather in Florida is nice now (low 80s in the day) and walks on the beach will be quite enjoyable.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
September 22, 2010
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.
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.
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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