Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Hoist a Pint

Thursday, August 23, 2012: 

At the end of the 58th 28-day cycle of the pomalidomide (CC-4047) study, my myeloma markers remain stable. IgG went up 8% to 1180 mg/dL, but M-spike remained constant at 1.0 g/dL (1000 mg/dL). Lambda free light chains increased a little, while kappa chains decreased a bit, but both were well within the range that we have observed in recent cycles on the study. Basically, the measurements are all within their recent envelopes, so there is no change.
Oatmeal underneath

I recently heard from a woman who just lost her husband to myeloma. He and she had done their best, trying every possible therapy before his myeloma finally overwhelmed them all. In celebration of his life, she said "Raise a pint for George."

I have done that. Tonight I've raised another pint to celebrate one more month that my own tiger remains in its cage. If you are inclined to hoist one too, please be my guest.

Most-Recent Test Results:

Test    May 29    Jun 29    Jul 26    Aug 23     Remarks
M-spike g/dL 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 \ Tumor marker no change
IgG mg/dL 1140 998 1090 1180 / Tumor marker up slightly
Lambda mg/dL 2.53 3.11 2.30 2.72 L free light chains
Calcium mg/dL 9.7 10.2 9.7 9.6 Great
Creatinine mg/dL 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.0 Kidney, OK
HGB g/dL 15.7 14.7 14.5 14.5 Hemoglobin, OK
RBC M/uL 4.37 4.15 4.05 4.09 Red cells, a little low
WBC K/uL 4.6 4.9 4.9 4.3 White cells, OK
ANC K/uL 1.80 2.30 2.20 1.90 Neutrophils, OK

Related Links:

My Myeloma     A discussion of my myeloma, not very technical.
My Treatment History Not technical.
My Test Charts Graphic displays of several key test results over time.
My Test Result Table Somewhat technical. Best with a wide browser window.
My Supplement Regimen With links to where I buy them.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Frank Vondrashek died Sunday, August 5, 2012

With Eve Friedli, Frank co-founded the Myeloma Support Group in Rochester, Minnesota. Last January his myeloma numbers were OK, but he was tired and out of breath, with a low white cell count. His ten years of myeloma treatments had given him acute myeloid leukemia. After a valiant battle, he succumbed to that disease this morning.

Visitation is Thursday evening, August 9, and the funeral is Friday morning, August 10. Here is the obituary with details.

The Rochester myeloma support group will survive, but we will miss you Frank.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Chuck Hohn Died July 28

Charles Edward Hohn (Chuck) has been a regular member of the Stillwater support group, looking for answers to his very aggressive myeloma.  He had entered hospice a couple of days before his death.

Obituaries:
We will miss you Chuck.