jm's Adventure with Multiple Myeloma: Relapsed High-Risk Myeloma Update May 2 2013

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Thursday, May 2, 2013

Relapsed High-Risk Myeloma Update May 2 2013

Drove to Lost Rivers Medical Center Laboratory this morning to have my CBC (complete blood count) done.  Let me remind you that I have not been on any chemotherapy since 10 Apr 2013 because of low platelet counts. I'm still waiting for my bone marrow biopsy results done on 26 Apr 2013.

My white blood cell count is NORMAL at 6.4 (norms 4-11.2); my ANC (absolute neutrophil count is NORMAL at 3.48 (norms 2-8); my hemoglobin is low, but higher than my packed red blood cell threshold now set at 9.0 at 9.5 (norms 12-16); and my platelets are still QUITE LOW - even marked as "CRITICALLY LOW" at 44 (norms 140-440). I don't need a blood transfusion with a hemoglobin of 9.5 today...so, no need to drive 270 miles roundtrip to Twin Falls - yippee.

So, I won't be starting any chemotherapy for now (due to low platelets) - even if we could figure out what drug to use since I have exhausted most of the approved drugs for myeloma.

Summary of Chemotherapy Agents I've Had Since Diagnosis 23 Months Ago:
  1. Revlimid (lenalidomide)
  2. Velcade (bortezomib) 
  3. Decadron (dexamethasone)
  4. Thalidomide
  5. Cisplastin
  6. Adriamycin
  7. Cytoxan
  8. Etoposide
  9. Carmustine
  10. Cytarabine
  11. Melphalan
  12. Vorinostat (Zolinza)
  13. Carfilzomib (Kyprolis)
  14. Pomalidomide (Pomalyst)
I been taking the 10 mg of Dex every other day at bedtime and that seems to be working a lot better for me...doesn't seem to keep me awake at night and I'm more alert during the day!

It has been cold here in Mackay, Idaho with freezing temperatures at night and blue skies and sunshine during the day - I'll take that.
Mackay Main Street 1 May 2013.

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