I went in for my monthly big blood test for June 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 look good. My M protein remains stable and my igG and Beta 2 proteins are both at normal levels.
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)
June = 1.9
May = 1.7
Apr = 2.5
Dec-Mar = 3 g/L (same each month)
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 | |
| June | 42.5 | 3.4 | 6.7 | 10.0 | .82 | .34 | |
| 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 |
| June | 8.5 | 126 | 299 | 5.2 |
| 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, June 19th, I completed Cycle 18 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:Lonsdale Quay Market
The post Week 71 chemo complete: Cancer levels looking good appeared first on Fade to Play.