I went in for my monthly big blood test for May to determine what my Hematology profile is (how my body responds overall to my chemo treatment) and learn what my Serum Proteins (Electrophoresis & Immunoglobulins) are, which are my cancer levels. I’m happy to report that my cancer levels dropped again.
My myeloma protein (M protein) is the abnormal protein/cancer/bad stuff and it resides in my Beta 2 Globulin. It is the most important marker for following my progress. If my M protein is 0, then there is no cancer/myeloma detected in my blood stream, which is ideal.
M protein (g/L)
May = 1.7
Apr = 2.5
Dec-Mar = 3 g/L (same each month)
My general cancer marker (igG) and my specific cancer marker (Beta 2 Globulin) both decreased.
BOLD = outside normal levels
| Date | Albumin | Beta Globulin 2 | Gamma Globulin | igG | igA | igM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference Range | 34.0-53.0 | 1.8 – 4.8 | 5.1 – 15.0 | 6.7 – 15.2 | .70 – 4.00 | .40 – 2.30 | |
| May | 45.5 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 10.3 | .79 | .23 | |
| Apr | 44.9 | 5.8 | 4.8 | 10.8 | .76 | .22 | |
| Mar | 38 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 10.4 | .84 | .46 | |
| Feb | 36 | 5.9 | 5.1 | 10.4 | .84 | .46 | |
| Jan | 36 | 6.5 | 4.9 | 11.7 | .81 | .23 | |
| Dec | 43.6 | 6.4 | 5.1 | 11.6 | .78 | .37 | |
| Nov 30 | 43.3 | 7.4 | 5.4 | 11.2 | .84 | .49 | |
| Nov 2 | 45 | 7.7 | 4.8 | 12.5 | 1.00 | .68 | |
| Oct | 48.5 | 9.0 | 4.0 | 13.3 | .82 | .43 | |
| Sept | 44.1 | 9.2 | 3.2 | 12.9 | .66 | .31 | |
| Aug | 47.7 | 10.7 | 3.0 | 14.8 | .62 | .32 | |
| July | 45.8 | 11.4 | 3.6 | 15.7 | .56 | .37 | |
| June | 41.2 | 15.2 | 3.9 | 16.5 | .49 | .40 | |
| May | 42 | 17.2 | 2.5 | 18.7 | .28 | .33 | |
| Apr | 44.4 | 19.2 | 1.5 | 21.4 | .29 | .41 | |
| Mar | 39.1 | 27.1 | 2.6 | 27.5 | .26 | .50 | |
| Feb | 38.9 | 33.9 | 3.0 | 36.1 | .33 | .53 | |
| Jan | 39.3 | 30.6 | 3.7 | 33.4 | .29 | .22 |
My Hematology profile (how my body responds overall to being on treatment) also remains great.
| Date | WBC | Hemoglobin | Platelet Count | Neutrophils |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reference Range | 4.0 – 11.0 | 135 – 170 | 150 – 400 | 2.0 – 8.0 |
| May | 5.6 | 128 | 303 | 4.5 |
| Apr | 6.0 | 131 | 296 | 4.9 |
| Mar | 6.8 | 133 | 339 | 5.9 |
| Feb | 7.5 | 130 | 336 | 6.4 |
| Jan 25 | 8.3 | 129 | 335 | 5.7 |
| Jan 11 | 4.9 | 126 | 335 | 5.7 |
| Dec | 15.6 | 129 | 356 | 11.2 |
| Nov 30 | 8.8 | 133 | 416 | 7.0 |
| Nov 2 | 5.7 | 136 | 447 | 4.7 |
| Nov | 8.1 | 137 | 387 | 5.9 |
| Oct | 10.5 | 139 | 329 | 8.8 |
| Sept | 5.3 | 130 | 363 | 4.4 |
| Sept | 13.7 | 122 | 304 | 5.2 |
| Aug | 6.1 | 130 | 378 | 4.9 |
| Aug | 12.0 | 133 | 329 | 8.3 |
| July | 12.8 | 131 | 302 | 9.47 |
| July | 4.8 | 123 | 386 | 3.8 |
| June | 10.6 | 124 | 281 | 8.0 |
| June | 6.5 | 122 | 439 | 4.7 |
| May | 12.4 | 118 | 271 | 8.9 |
| May | 10.0 | 118 | 320 | 5.2 |
| Apr | 12.5 | 123 | 297 | 9.8 |
| Apr | 7.6 | 113 | 357 | 3.9 |
| Mar | 7.0 | 133 | 247 | 5.6 |
| Mar | 6.8 | 127 | 467 | 5.2 |
| Feb | 5.5 | 133 | 191 | 4.6 |
| Jan | 4.4 | 129 | 206 | 2.3 |
To recap: On Sunday, May 22nd, I completed Cycle 17 Week 3. I have Multiple Myeloma and anemia, a rare blood cancer. It is incurable, but treatable. From February to November 2013, I received Velcade chemo through weekly in-hospital injections as an outpatient. Since February 9th 2015, I have been on Pomalyst and dexamethasone chemo treatment (Pom/dex).
Weekly chemo-inspired self-portraits can be viewed in my flickr album.
May 2014: Granville Island
The post Week 67 chemo complete: Cancer levels dropped again appeared first on Fade to Play.