Lab Results UCH Inpatient - April 13 2012

My white blood cell count is up to 2.9 (norms 4-11.1); my platelets are 134 (norms 150-400); and my hemoglobin is down a tad to 10.8 (12.1-16.3). I discovered that I was only taking 12,500 units of Fragmin at home the last 2 days when I should have been taking 15,000 units - but, I didn't have any of those.

My ANC (absolute neutrophil count) is better at 2.0 (norms 1.8-6.6).

The drew my immunoglobulins A, M, and G again. My Immunoglobulin G is down a tad to 600 (norms 791-1643), but again, I'm not really sure how to interpret these values.

My uric acid is up to 6.1 (norms 2.6-8.7), but still a rise for me.

My LDH is up to 176 (norms 98-192), and I'm pretty sure this is not a good sign.

My phosphorus is higher than the norms at 5.6 (norms 2.7-4.5).

My magnesium is low at 1.6 (norms 1.3-2.1) and here in the hospital they give you magnesium replacement units when it is this low and I received to replacement units April 13 2012.

My comprehensive metabolic panel is all normal except form my creatinine (a measure of kidney function) which is 1.63 (norms 0.40- 1.20). This is the first time I've ever had an abnormal creatinine vale and is somewhat worrisome to me.

My urinalysis was normal.

They ran another Congestive Heart Failure BNP blood test and it remains normal at 23 (norms 0-100).

My serum protein is normal at 6.4 (norms 6.4-8.3).

Lab Results - April 11 2012

Drove myself to UCH this morning for my labs. Was in and out in an hour. The best part was I got to visit with Shawn and Tom Egle while I was there!

My white blood cell count is 2.3 (norms 4-11.1); my platelets are up to 103 (norms 150-440) which means I have to double my daily Fragmin injection to 12,500 units today for the blood clot in the right atrium of my heart; my hemoglobin is 11.1 (12.1-16.3). I'm all set to be admitted to UCH's 11th Floor Inpatient Unit for my 2nd Cycle of VD-PACE (no Thalidomide this go around) on Friday, April 13 2012.

 My Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is 1.4 (norms 1.8-6.6).

 My LDH continues to climb upward to 161 (norms 98-192), which I'm sure is not good.

Lab Results - April 9 2012

Drove myself to UCH this morning for my labs. 

All are okay and I did not need any platelets or blood transfusions today. I was in and out in less than hour in the BIC thanks to RN Kristin, RN Brooke, and RN Erin.

My white blood cells are higher than they have been, yet still low, at 2.4 (norms 4-11.1); my platelets are also higher, yet still low, at 76 (norms 150-400); and my hemoglobin is lower at 10.8 (norms 12.1-16.3).

My Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is quite good, yet still low, at 1.5 (norms 1.8-6.6).

 My Comprehensive Metabolic Panel is all normal.

My LDH is increased to 151 (norms 98-192) and I'm not sure if that is okay that is creeping up again.

 My Magnesium is normal at 1.6 (norms 1.3-2.1)

 My phosphorus is normal at 4.2 (norms 2.7-4.5).

 My uric acid is normal at 5.3 (norms 2.6-8.7).

Living Right Today - April 6 2012

I drove myself to UCH this morning...a beautiful day and the drive was uneventful. I left home in Greeley at 8:20 AM.

Used Valet Parking per usual and was up in the BIC on the 2nd floor quickly. RN Brooke drew my blood via my PICC Line and off I went to the pharmacy to pick up my Fragmin Rx. I was ABSOLUTELY the only person at the normally VERY BUSY pharmacy with waiting lines. Got my Fragmin quickly and went up to the 11th Floor to visit Shawn Egle who is getting her 3rd Cycle of VD-PACE. We had a great visit and it is always good to connect with her!

When I left from visiting Shawn the elevator was actually open on the 11th floor and went all the way down to the 2nd floor without stopping!!!! If you're ever used he elevators at UCH, you'd realize how unusual and wonderful this was for me!

Back in the BIC, RN Brooke had my lab values and shared them with me.

My white blood cell count is still low at 1.9 (norm 4-11.1); my hemoglobin is hanging in there really nicely after my blood transfusion on 2 April 2012 at 11.1 (norms 12.1-16.3); and my platelets are soaring (although low) at 75 (norms 150-400. RN Brooke checked with Nurse Practitioner, Karley, to see if I needed to increase my Fragmin (blood thinning injections) dosage from 7,500 units to 15,000 units since my platelets are up over 50. They decided to wait until Monday to see if my platelets are trending up or down before they change my Fragmin dosage.

 This graph show my platelets in light purple. My platelets have been up and down and up and down I've required 5 (five) platelet transfusions since the end of my 1st VDT-PACE Chemotherapy Cycle. The blue line represents my hemoglobin which dipped just once requiring a 2 unit blood transfusion. The green line is my white blood cells which tanked the week after the 1st VDT-PACE cycle and have recovered some (still too low) after that.

The differential on my white blood cells shows my Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) low at 1.3 (norms 1.8-6.6), so I continue with the mask in public and good hand washing.

The graph of my Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) from March 16 2012 to April 6 2012 demonstrates how the 1st Cycle of the VDT-PACE lowered my resistance to infection. 

My comprehensive metabolic panel is all normal.

 My LDH is at 136 (norms 98-192) and seems to be trending up. Not sure how to interpret.

 Graph of my LDH from March 18 2012 to April 6 2012.

 My magnesium is normal at 1.8 (norms 1.3-2.1).

 My phosphorus is normal at 3.6 (norms 2.7-4.5).

 My uric acid is normal at 4 (normal 2.6-8.7).

Was back at Valet Parking waiting for Bart at 10:30 AM. This is record time!!! In and out of the BIC in 1 hour! And home in Greeley before noon!

Labs and Another Platelet Transfusion - April 4 2012

Sandy Baird drove me to UCH this morning...nice to catch up with her. She has survived with multiple myeloma since 1999 and is doing well!!!!!!

My white blood cell count is 1.9 (norms 4-11.1), my hemoglobin is fabulous at 11.3 (norms 12.1-16.3), and platelets at 31 (norms 150-440. I'll need a platelet transfusion since I'm on fragmin for my right atrial blood clot.

My Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is improving to 1.4 (norms 1.8-6.6).

 My 5th platelet transfusion since the Mar 16-20 2012 VDT-PACE chemotherapy.

They drew my Immunoglobin G, M, and A today too and and I'm not sure how to interpret them. However, I think it is good that my Immunoglobulin G has gone down to 608.

My LDH is at 120 (norms 98-192).

 My magnesium is normal at 1.9 (norms 1.3 to 2.1).

My phosphorus is normal at 3.6 (norms 2.7-4.5).

 My uric acid is normal at 3.7 (norms 2.6-8.7).

I feel amazingly well and walked with Kemmer 0.67 miles this afternoon stopping midway to chat with Danny and Cheryl Jelinek.