Just got the call. His numbers are jumping all over the place. (My opinion, not the doctor's)
Some background: For years, his M-SPIKE was ZERO.
Last summer, it jumped up to .3 and stayed there for almost a year. (blood work results)
6 months ago, it jumped up to .6 (blood work results)
3 months ago it was at .8 (blood work results)
At this point, Dr. Safah ordered a Bone Marrow Biopsy. The reading was only 0.2 and were were all happy about this.
Fast forward to this month:
M-SPIKE 1.0 (blood work)
We have been going to a Slidell oncologist out of convenience, but have an appointment with Dr. Safah at TULANE in December. I just don't know what to think about this. The bone marrow biopsy is a more definitive test than blood work.
His LIGHT CHAINS are weird, too.
Normal levels of serum free light chains are:
• Kappa: 3.3–19.4 mg/L
• Lambda: 5.71–26.3 mg/L
• Kappa/lambda ratio: 0.26–1.65
His March numbers were:
*Kappa: 25.67
*Lambda: 28.00
*Ratio: 0.91
September found us at:
*Kappa: 12.8
*Lambda: 0.6
*Ratio: 2.12
I'd be delighted to get some feedback from you guys. TIA.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
A Fun Three Weeks at the Beach
Just returned home from PCB yesterday. Had a ball.
I decided to explore on the way to the condo. Had read about "Morrison Springs" which is located about 45 miles North of PCB in Ponce De Leon. Pretty, but not as nice as our Gulf. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g28930-d672192-Reviews-Morrison_Springs-Florida.html
Pal Patricia came in for Labor Day, Hurricane Hermine visited and ruined a lot of holiday plans for visitors.
They have a big 3 day "Gulf Coast Jam" every year. It was cancelled because of the weather. The bad storms came Fri, Sat and Sun. Double Red Beach flags were flying. NO SWIMMING!
Patricia and I enjoyed the crystal clear water and went to The Firefly one night.
http://fireflypcb.com/
Keith and Lauren came over last week for a couple of days and a night. We enjoyed beach time and Happy Hour at The Liq across the street.
Although Hermine didn't affect us with storms, (Patricia and I waited for her in a hot tub with no luck)there was quite a tidal surge, and the water became muddy.
On my last night, I got a couple shots of the tide "rolling in". I'd only seen that once before.
So..... back with my dear Dom for a week or two, then back to the beach!
I decided to explore on the way to the condo. Had read about "Morrison Springs" which is located about 45 miles North of PCB in Ponce De Leon. Pretty, but not as nice as our Gulf. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g28930-d672192-Reviews-Morrison_Springs-Florida.html
Pal Patricia came in for Labor Day, Hurricane Hermine visited and ruined a lot of holiday plans for visitors.
They have a big 3 day "Gulf Coast Jam" every year. It was cancelled because of the weather. The bad storms came Fri, Sat and Sun. Double Red Beach flags were flying. NO SWIMMING!
Patricia and I enjoyed the crystal clear water and went to The Firefly one night.
http://fireflypcb.com/
Keith and Lauren came over last week for a couple of days and a night. We enjoyed beach time and Happy Hour at The Liq across the street.
Although Hermine didn't affect us with storms, (Patricia and I waited for her in a hot tub with no luck)there was quite a tidal surge, and the water became muddy.
On my last night, I got a couple shots of the tide "rolling in". I'd only seen that once before.
So..... back with my dear Dom for a week or two, then back to the beach!
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Multiple Myeloma: Finding Resources and Support
While multiple myeloma can present many challenges, keep in mind that you do not need to cope with this diagnosis on your own. Your friends and family are important sources of strength and support. There are also many local and national support services available to assist you.
Here are some of the different types of resources available to you:
Medical information Your oncologist, other doctors, and nurses are a great source of information about treatment options, pain and side effect management, and other medical concerns. There are also a great number of reputable organizations that provide trusted information on multiple myeloma and related issues (see sidebar). The libraries at cancer centers also stock up-to-date literature on these topics.
Emotional support A multiple myeloma diagnosis can be overwhelming, making you feel sad, scared, or anxious. Individual counseling, face-to-face and online support groups, and patient-to-patient networks are available to help you cope emotionally. Ask your health care team or one of the organizations listed in the sidebar for recommendations. CancerCare provides free counseling and support groups led by professional oncology social workers.
Financial assistance There are many organizations that provide help with medical billing, insurance coverage, and reimbursement issues. There is also financial assistance available to help people who cannot afford the cost of their medications. Good places to start your research are the websites of the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (www.cancerfac.org) and the Partnership for Prescription Assistance(www.pparx.org).
Benefits and entitlements Local and county government agencies can give you information on Social Security, state disability, Medicaid, income maintenance, the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and food stamps. Check your local phone directory for listings.
Transportation help CancerCare's Door to Door program offers grants to help multiple myeloma patients with transportation costs such as gasoline, taxi service, and public transportation fare to and from medical appointments. The American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program provides transportation to and from cancer centers for patients and their families. Your local and county governments may also offer low-cost transportation for people who qualify. Churches, synagogues, YMCAs, YWCAs, or fraternal orders may also have volunteers who can provide transportation.
Housing/lodging The Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society, the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses (www.nahhh.org), and other organizations provide temporary lodging for families of a patient who needs to travel far from their home for treatment. Joe's House is a nonprofit organization that offers an online database with lodging information near cancer treatment centers across the U.S. To learn more, visit www.joeshouse.org.
Other practical assistance People affected by multiple myeloma may feel overwhelmed by any number of other day-to-day concerns not covered in this fact sheet. Contact CancerCare or any of the other organizations listed in the sidebar to learn about additional recommended resources. To learn more about what is available in your community, you can also contact the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (www.n4a.org) and United Way (www.unitedway.org).
http://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/fact-sheets/multiple-myeloma-finding-resources-support-treatment/article/518237/
Here are some of the different types of resources available to you:
Medical information Your oncologist, other doctors, and nurses are a great source of information about treatment options, pain and side effect management, and other medical concerns. There are also a great number of reputable organizations that provide trusted information on multiple myeloma and related issues (see sidebar). The libraries at cancer centers also stock up-to-date literature on these topics.
Emotional support A multiple myeloma diagnosis can be overwhelming, making you feel sad, scared, or anxious. Individual counseling, face-to-face and online support groups, and patient-to-patient networks are available to help you cope emotionally. Ask your health care team or one of the organizations listed in the sidebar for recommendations. CancerCare provides free counseling and support groups led by professional oncology social workers.
Financial assistance There are many organizations that provide help with medical billing, insurance coverage, and reimbursement issues. There is also financial assistance available to help people who cannot afford the cost of their medications. Good places to start your research are the websites of the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition (www.cancerfac.org) and the Partnership for Prescription Assistance(www.pparx.org).
Benefits and entitlements Local and county government agencies can give you information on Social Security, state disability, Medicaid, income maintenance, the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and food stamps. Check your local phone directory for listings.
Transportation help CancerCare's Door to Door program offers grants to help multiple myeloma patients with transportation costs such as gasoline, taxi service, and public transportation fare to and from medical appointments. The American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program provides transportation to and from cancer centers for patients and their families. Your local and county governments may also offer low-cost transportation for people who qualify. Churches, synagogues, YMCAs, YWCAs, or fraternal orders may also have volunteers who can provide transportation.
Housing/lodging The Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society, the National Association of Hospital Hospitality Houses (www.nahhh.org), and other organizations provide temporary lodging for families of a patient who needs to travel far from their home for treatment. Joe's House is a nonprofit organization that offers an online database with lodging information near cancer treatment centers across the U.S. To learn more, visit www.joeshouse.org.
Other practical assistance People affected by multiple myeloma may feel overwhelmed by any number of other day-to-day concerns not covered in this fact sheet. Contact CancerCare or any of the other organizations listed in the sidebar to learn about additional recommended resources. To learn more about what is available in your community, you can also contact the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (www.n4a.org) and United Way (www.unitedway.org).
http://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/fact-sheets/multiple-myeloma-finding-resources-support-treatment/article/518237/
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Global Multiple Myeloma Industry : Insights, Development, Research and Forecast 2016-2020
ResearchMoz presents this most up-to-date research on Global Multiple Myeloma Market 2016-2030.
Multiple Myeloma is a form of blood cancer. Blood cancers, or hematologic cancers, affect the production and function of blood cells.
To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @ http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=784697
Most of these cancers start in the bone marrow where blood is produced. In myeloma, unusually large numbers of abnormal plasma cells gather in bone marrow and stop it from producing an important part of your immune system. Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Multiple myeloma is characterized with low blood counts, bone and calcium problems, infections, kidney problems and nervous system symptoms. Usually the age factor is considered as the most prominent factor in multiple myeloma cases.
Multiple myeloma was considered to be a non-treatable disease but hopes have arrived with the approval of Darzalex which was a much awaited product and has shown positive results in the trials. Many other products are in the pipeline and will arrive after some time. Darzalex is an antibody with immense potential and was the first monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA for the treatment of heavily pretreated retreated multiple myeloma. More experiments have started to check out Darzalex in combinations to find out its effectiveness in case of other problems too.
The key factors which are anticipated to drive multiple myeloma market include increased penetration of cancer drugs, increase in ageing population, rising obese population and increase in healthcare expenditure. Some of the significant developments of this industry include upcoming new innovative products in the market, trend of combination therapies, and chance of new players. However, the challenge to be faced ahead is high price and legal regulations.
Browse Detail Report With TOC @ http://www.researchmoz.us/global-multiple-myeloma-market-industry-analysis-outlook-20162030-report.html
Table of Content
1. Blood Cancer: An Introduction
1.1 Symptoms of Blood cancer
1.2 Treatment of Blood Cancer
1.3 Types of Blood Cancer
1.3.1 Leukaemia
1.3.2 Lymphoma
2. Multiple Myeloma
2.1 Characteristics of Multiple Myeloma
2.1.1 Low Blood Counts
2.1.2 Bone and Calcium Problems
2.1.3 Infections
2.1.4 Kidney Problems
2.1.5 Monoclonal Gammopathy
2.1.6 Nervous System Symptoms
2.2 Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma
2.3 Tests to Find Multiple Myeloma
2.3.1 Laboratory Tests
2.3.2 Imaging Tests
2.4 Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
3. Multiple Myeloma Market Analysis
3.1 Global Blood Cancer Market by Value
3.2 Global Multiple Myeloma Market Forecast by Value
3.3 Global Forefront Treated Patients Forecast
3.4 Global Reverted Treated Patients Forecast
Jump For Links
Multiple Myeloma is a form of blood cancer. Blood cancers, or hematologic cancers, affect the production and function of blood cells.
To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @ http://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=784697
Most of these cancers start in the bone marrow where blood is produced. In myeloma, unusually large numbers of abnormal plasma cells gather in bone marrow and stop it from producing an important part of your immune system. Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Multiple myeloma is characterized with low blood counts, bone and calcium problems, infections, kidney problems and nervous system symptoms. Usually the age factor is considered as the most prominent factor in multiple myeloma cases.
Multiple myeloma was considered to be a non-treatable disease but hopes have arrived with the approval of Darzalex which was a much awaited product and has shown positive results in the trials. Many other products are in the pipeline and will arrive after some time. Darzalex is an antibody with immense potential and was the first monoclonal antibody approved by the FDA for the treatment of heavily pretreated retreated multiple myeloma. More experiments have started to check out Darzalex in combinations to find out its effectiveness in case of other problems too.
The key factors which are anticipated to drive multiple myeloma market include increased penetration of cancer drugs, increase in ageing population, rising obese population and increase in healthcare expenditure. Some of the significant developments of this industry include upcoming new innovative products in the market, trend of combination therapies, and chance of new players. However, the challenge to be faced ahead is high price and legal regulations.
Browse Detail Report With TOC @ http://www.researchmoz.us/global-multiple-myeloma-market-industry-analysis-outlook-20162030-report.html
Table of Content
1. Blood Cancer: An Introduction
1.1 Symptoms of Blood cancer
1.2 Treatment of Blood Cancer
1.3 Types of Blood Cancer
1.3.1 Leukaemia
1.3.2 Lymphoma
2. Multiple Myeloma
2.1 Characteristics of Multiple Myeloma
2.1.1 Low Blood Counts
2.1.2 Bone and Calcium Problems
2.1.3 Infections
2.1.4 Kidney Problems
2.1.5 Monoclonal Gammopathy
2.1.6 Nervous System Symptoms
2.2 Risk Factors for Multiple Myeloma
2.3 Tests to Find Multiple Myeloma
2.3.1 Laboratory Tests
2.3.2 Imaging Tests
2.4 Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
3. Multiple Myeloma Market Analysis
3.1 Global Blood Cancer Market by Value
3.2 Global Multiple Myeloma Market Forecast by Value
3.3 Global Forefront Treated Patients Forecast
3.4 Global Reverted Treated Patients Forecast
Jump For Links
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Three Agent Orange diseases under review for presumptive status
The Veterans Affairs Department is weighing whether to add several diseases to the list of health conditions presumed in Vietnam veterans to be caused by exposure to Agent Orange.
A VA working group is studying a report issued in March by the Institute of Medicine to determine whether bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinson's-like symptoms illnesses the IOM said may be more strongly linked to exposure than previously thought should automatically make a Vietnam veteran eligible for VA disability benefits and health care.
According to Dr. Ralph Erickson, VA's chief consultant for post-deployment health services, the group will make recommendations to VA Secretary Robert McDonald on whether the diseases should be added to a list of 15 already in place.
"We are in the midst of a deliberative process, carefully looking at all the IOM committee put in the report and additional information that has come out since," Erickson said. "We will be putting tougher a VA response that will be brought before senior leaders and ultimately brought before the secretary." The process could take up to two years, a VA spokeswoman added.
Roughly one million Vietnam veterans are enrolled in the VA health system, according to the department. Based on a review of data for one year, 5,484 of these veterans have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, 15,983 suffer from hypothyroidism and an estimated 1,833 have Parkinson's-like symptoms. The working group also is looking into the role, if any, Agent Orange exposure has played in the development of hypertension in Vietnam veterans. According to VA, 307,324 Vietnam veterans in the Veterans Health Administration have high blood pressure. "Hypertension has been a question that has been asked," Erickson said. "The cohort of men and women who heroically served their country in uniform and went to Vietnam are in their 60s, 70s and 80s, and these individuals, merely because of their age, are starting to accrue chronic diseases that come with aging. It's a delicate matter to tease out whether someone has hypertension because of their age or whether it would be related to an exposure to Agent Orange."
VA began recognizing diseases associated with herbicide exposure in Vietnam beginning in 1991, naming 15 diseases as presumed to be related, including Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, early-onset peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers, soft-tissue sarcoma, chloracne, type-two diabetes mellitus, light chain amyloidosis, ischemic heart disease, chronic B-cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease and spina bifida in offspring of veterans. The most recent IOM report actually downgraded spina bifida in the children of Vietnam veterans, saying research does not support a previously held belief that the disease occurred in offspring of exposed veterans at higher rates. But the change of spina bifida from "limited or suggestive evidence" it is related to exposure to "inadequate or insufficient" evidence should not affect disability payments to the 1,153 descendants of Vietnam veterans who receive them, Veterans Benefits Administration senior adviser for compensation services Brad Flohr said.
VA recommends that veterans who have an illness they believe is related to Agent Orange exposure file a claim; they are considered on a case-by-case basis if the illness is not on the presumptive condition list. Should new diseases be added to the list, the regulation would go into effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register. If a veteran dies of a condition determined to be a presumptive condition after the veteran's death, VA will provide dependency and indemnity compensation benefits to eligible spouses, children and parents of that veteran. [Military Times, Patricia Kime — April 8, 2016]
LINK
A VA working group is studying a report issued in March by the Institute of Medicine to determine whether bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinson's-like symptoms illnesses the IOM said may be more strongly linked to exposure than previously thought should automatically make a Vietnam veteran eligible for VA disability benefits and health care.
According to Dr. Ralph Erickson, VA's chief consultant for post-deployment health services, the group will make recommendations to VA Secretary Robert McDonald on whether the diseases should be added to a list of 15 already in place.
"We are in the midst of a deliberative process, carefully looking at all the IOM committee put in the report and additional information that has come out since," Erickson said. "We will be putting tougher a VA response that will be brought before senior leaders and ultimately brought before the secretary." The process could take up to two years, a VA spokeswoman added.
Roughly one million Vietnam veterans are enrolled in the VA health system, according to the department. Based on a review of data for one year, 5,484 of these veterans have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, 15,983 suffer from hypothyroidism and an estimated 1,833 have Parkinson's-like symptoms. The working group also is looking into the role, if any, Agent Orange exposure has played in the development of hypertension in Vietnam veterans. According to VA, 307,324 Vietnam veterans in the Veterans Health Administration have high blood pressure. "Hypertension has been a question that has been asked," Erickson said. "The cohort of men and women who heroically served their country in uniform and went to Vietnam are in their 60s, 70s and 80s, and these individuals, merely because of their age, are starting to accrue chronic diseases that come with aging. It's a delicate matter to tease out whether someone has hypertension because of their age or whether it would be related to an exposure to Agent Orange."
VA began recognizing diseases associated with herbicide exposure in Vietnam beginning in 1991, naming 15 diseases as presumed to be related, including Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, early-onset peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers, soft-tissue sarcoma, chloracne, type-two diabetes mellitus, light chain amyloidosis, ischemic heart disease, chronic B-cell leukemias, Parkinson's disease and spina bifida in offspring of veterans. The most recent IOM report actually downgraded spina bifida in the children of Vietnam veterans, saying research does not support a previously held belief that the disease occurred in offspring of exposed veterans at higher rates. But the change of spina bifida from "limited or suggestive evidence" it is related to exposure to "inadequate or insufficient" evidence should not affect disability payments to the 1,153 descendants of Vietnam veterans who receive them, Veterans Benefits Administration senior adviser for compensation services Brad Flohr said.
VA recommends that veterans who have an illness they believe is related to Agent Orange exposure file a claim; they are considered on a case-by-case basis if the illness is not on the presumptive condition list. Should new diseases be added to the list, the regulation would go into effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register. If a veteran dies of a condition determined to be a presumptive condition after the veteran's death, VA will provide dependency and indemnity compensation benefits to eligible spouses, children and parents of that veteran. [Military Times, Patricia Kime — April 8, 2016]
LINK
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