Today is the second aniversary of my first going to the doctor for the symptoms that eventually led to my diagnosis with MM. So I guesss this is my second aniversary; although the actual diagnois cam on March 30, 2009.
I got the results of my bone density test that was done yesterday; there was "marked improvement" over the 2008 results, which were pre-diagnosis. Since there has been improvement, I anticipate that the Zometa infusions will drop to a lower frequency after the March infusion (which will be the 24th).
Zometa, after the first 2 or 3, was no big deal; but neverthless it was a once a month activity.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
February 19, 2011
Visited the H/O last Monday and got results of last lab work (labs were done 2/7/2011). BP was normal but on high end (133/87). Weight was up a tad (about 1.5 pounds). WBC = 4.3 (up from last month). Hemoglobin = 15.5. Hematocrit = 45.7. Platelets = 252.0. RBC = 4.59. Creatine = 0.87. Calcium = 8.8. All of the above are in the normal range.
M-spike was 1.2 g/dl, which is a drop from last month. Igg and Kappa LC were not available. When considering that the M-spike went down even though I have been off chemo for 7 months now, I see that as a good sign. Still taking 10 mg of dex once a week; this, however, is manageable. M-spike will not stay in this range forever; so sooner or later I will go back on chemo.
I take my 23rd Zometa bone infusion on the 25th of this month. On the 22nd, I will have a bone density scan. Depending on the results of the scan, a decision will be made about continuing.
My next appointment with my H/O is the first week in April. At that time, I will have been of chemo for 9 months.
M-spike was 1.2 g/dl, which is a drop from last month. Igg and Kappa LC were not available. When considering that the M-spike went down even though I have been off chemo for 7 months now, I see that as a good sign. Still taking 10 mg of dex once a week; this, however, is manageable. M-spike will not stay in this range forever; so sooner or later I will go back on chemo.
I take my 23rd Zometa bone infusion on the 25th of this month. On the 22nd, I will have a bone density scan. Depending on the results of the scan, a decision will be made about continuing.
My next appointment with my H/O is the first week in April. At that time, I will have been of chemo for 9 months.
Friday, January 28, 2011
January 28, 2011
Today is dex day; so I probably won't sleep tonight. I am used to this by now.
On Tuesday, January 25, I had my 22nd Zometa infusion. Spent more time in waiting room than for the infusion; 2.5 hrs from checkin to checkout. Two more infusions to go and I will have completed my initial 24-month therapy. After that it will probably be once a quarter; this just gives me greater flexibility.
BP and blood work all fell in the normal range. WBC, however, were at the low end of normal.
Will have cancer numbers checked on 2/7/11 so that they will be available for my H/O for my 2/14 appointment. It takes about 4 days to turn around the cancer values such as IGG, M-spike, and Kappa light chains.
On Tuesday, January 25, I had my 22nd Zometa infusion. Spent more time in waiting room than for the infusion; 2.5 hrs from checkin to checkout. Two more infusions to go and I will have completed my initial 24-month therapy. After that it will probably be once a quarter; this just gives me greater flexibility.
BP and blood work all fell in the normal range. WBC, however, were at the low end of normal.
Will have cancer numbers checked on 2/7/11 so that they will be available for my H/O for my 2/14 appointment. It takes about 4 days to turn around the cancer values such as IGG, M-spike, and Kappa light chains.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
January 15, 2011
On Monday (1/3/20110), I had my appointment with my H/O and I got the results of my 12/27/2010 lab work. Igg was 1564 mg/dl, up slightly from 1558 on 11/22/2010--upper normal is 1554, thus 1564 is only slightly above normal; total protein was 7.1 g/dl, normal and unchanged; M-spike was 1.3 g/dl up from 1.2 in November (it also was 1.2 last June, thus no large change); Kappa Light Chains were 2.42 mg/dl (normal is less than 1.94)--up from November but less than June of 2010. Because there were no large changes and the values were not that different than 6 months earlier, I decided to stay off chemo for another 6 weeks. I have another appointment on Valentine's Day.
On the 25th, I have my monthly Zometa; only 2 more after this on the 2-year schedule. After that, the H/O suggests every other month or quarterly. Zometa has not been a big deal after the second or third time, when I did experience some aches and minor pains.
Later that same day, I had my teeth cleaned and it was decided that I needed a root canal, which was scheduled for the next day. This was done.
On Thursday (1/6/2011), we took off for a week in Puerto Rico, where we did some snorkeling and lots of sunbathing.
Tonight is dex day thus I probably won't sleep tonight. Tomorrow, I take off for Atlanta for some business meetings.
Nothing much else to say; will keep all of you posted; but there is not much to say right now.
On the 25th, I have my monthly Zometa; only 2 more after this on the 2-year schedule. After that, the H/O suggests every other month or quarterly. Zometa has not been a big deal after the second or third time, when I did experience some aches and minor pains.
Later that same day, I had my teeth cleaned and it was decided that I needed a root canal, which was scheduled for the next day. This was done.
On Thursday (1/6/2011), we took off for a week in Puerto Rico, where we did some snorkeling and lots of sunbathing.
Tonight is dex day thus I probably won't sleep tonight. Tomorrow, I take off for Atlanta for some business meetings.
Nothing much else to say; will keep all of you posted; but there is not much to say right now.
Friday, December 31, 2010
December 31, 2005
Happy New Year to Everyone:
Yesterday was dex day; so I was up all night; but watched the late Nebraska-Washington bowl game.
When you take steroids such as dex, you have to worry about glaucoma; had my checkup today; everything ok, will go back in 6 months. I have a slight infection in my gum; no pain but I suspect that a root canal may be in order. Will see dentist on Monday.
If I do need dental work, I will need to postpone January's Zometa infusion.
Also will see O/H and get the results of Mondays lab work (it takes about 4 working days to get M-spike, Igg, Kappa LC, etc.). Other than dex, I have been of chemo for 6 months. If the cancer numbers have gone up, then I guess I am back on Velcade again. Also I will start pursuing a stem cell transplant.
Yesterday was dex day; so I was up all night; but watched the late Nebraska-Washington bowl game.
When you take steroids such as dex, you have to worry about glaucoma; had my checkup today; everything ok, will go back in 6 months. I have a slight infection in my gum; no pain but I suspect that a root canal may be in order. Will see dentist on Monday.
If I do need dental work, I will need to postpone January's Zometa infusion.
Also will see O/H and get the results of Mondays lab work (it takes about 4 working days to get M-spike, Igg, Kappa LC, etc.). Other than dex, I have been of chemo for 6 months. If the cancer numbers have gone up, then I guess I am back on Velcade again. Also I will start pursuing a stem cell transplant.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
December 23, 2010
We are back from our cruise; had a good time and was able to do some snorkeling at Roatan. Probably ate too much as I weigh 5 pounds more now than when I left.
Had my Zometa treatement last Tuesday; WBCs were a little low; but everything else was ok. Today is dex day so I doubt I will sleep tonight.
I go and see the H/O on Monday after New Years. At that time, I will know whether I can stay off chemo for another month.
Had my Zometa treatement last Tuesday; WBCs were a little low; but everything else was ok. Today is dex day so I doubt I will sleep tonight.
I go and see the H/O on Monday after New Years. At that time, I will know whether I can stay off chemo for another month.
Friday, December 3, 2010
December 4, 2010
Today is dex day again; so I am still up and its 1:30 in the morning. Dex was common when I was UGA back in the 60s. Students would take a pill and stay up all night studying. Generally the day I take dex (usually at about 8:00 am), I feel quite good and productive. The difficulty with dex is that my brain keeps working when I lay down and try to go to sleep.
This past Tuesday, I went to see my O/H. My numbers were as follows: WBC = 3.6; but my neutrophils were good so I am not overly susceptible to infection. Igg is 1558, but this is only 4 over normal. M-spike was 1.2, which is an increase over last months 1.1; however for the two proceeding months it was 1.2. Glucose, calcium, and total protein were normal. Kappa LC were 2.34 and went up slightly from last month but are down from the three previous months. Overall the Myeloma markers went up some but not that much from earlier in the late summer and early fall. I have now been off Velcade for 5 months now. Because there was no marked deterioration in my cancer numbers, I in consultation with my O/H decided to wait another month (actually 6 weeks) before making the decision to go back on chemo. During the spring and early summer, I took Velcade once per week and the cancer numbers stabilized with Igg being in the high normal range, M-spike at 1.1 and the Kappa LC being about 2.6-2.8. These numbers are not that far different than my most recent numbers. I guess I'm inclined to believe that if I go back on Velcade I will not achieve much improvement; nevertheless with these values I can live a more or less normal life. The neuropathy has lessened over the past 5 months; but it is still there.
My wife and I decided to take a cruise starting December 11, 2010, so I will be out of pocket for a while and not blogging.
This past Tuesday, I went to see my O/H. My numbers were as follows: WBC = 3.6; but my neutrophils were good so I am not overly susceptible to infection. Igg is 1558, but this is only 4 over normal. M-spike was 1.2, which is an increase over last months 1.1; however for the two proceeding months it was 1.2. Glucose, calcium, and total protein were normal. Kappa LC were 2.34 and went up slightly from last month but are down from the three previous months. Overall the Myeloma markers went up some but not that much from earlier in the late summer and early fall. I have now been off Velcade for 5 months now. Because there was no marked deterioration in my cancer numbers, I in consultation with my O/H decided to wait another month (actually 6 weeks) before making the decision to go back on chemo. During the spring and early summer, I took Velcade once per week and the cancer numbers stabilized with Igg being in the high normal range, M-spike at 1.1 and the Kappa LC being about 2.6-2.8. These numbers are not that far different than my most recent numbers. I guess I'm inclined to believe that if I go back on Velcade I will not achieve much improvement; nevertheless with these values I can live a more or less normal life. The neuropathy has lessened over the past 5 months; but it is still there.
My wife and I decided to take a cruise starting December 11, 2010, so I will be out of pocket for a while and not blogging.
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