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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, store 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, seek then there is no cancer/myeloma detected in my blood stream, shop 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
Hey Phillip,
I’m elated for you. You can enjoy what you love doing the best,photography. Your images are always so awe stricken and peaceful. Just a thought, but have you every thought of doing a book of photographs that will benefit other myeloma survivors because above all you photos are inspiring and very personal! Enjoy your steroid free amd chemo and just take in all the beauty that life has to offer. God Bless, Marilyn
Hi Marilyn
Thanks for your positive support and advice. In the future I would like to share my photos in some type of archival form. I continue to stay positive through each week of treatment. Have a great day.
Phillip