I can certainly emotionally identify with the boy in the picture above! Welcome back to The Latest. I'm not publishing blogs very often, but this one is only six months after my last update in September. Good, right? So what's the latest?
Because the process of my cancer progressing VERY slowly (can you hear the "reeeeeeeeee....." sound going down the slide?), the Cancer Center has recently moved to only getting full blood work outs every six months instead of every three (I am still getting Zometa every six months). My last full work up was in September, and it was interesting and confusing. Why?
- My M-spike increased to 1.1 -- only a 0.1 increase over April, but also the highest number since my stem transplant.
- My Kappa free light chains was up to 30.3, also the highest since my stem transplant, up from 26 in April 2020 (highest normal range is about 3.3 to 19.4). Just as a reminder, one of the functions of plasma cells is to create antibodies which are made up of both heavy protein chains (longer, bigger), and light chains (smaller). Excessive production of light chains is a hallmark of Myeloma, and can damage kidneys over time. Some medical sites describe the serum levels of light chains to be a better indicator of clinical outcomes than the M-spike.
- I've posted before about my weight loss prior to my diagnosis and transplant. At my peak, 2014, I weighed about 220. Since being out of the hospital and after recovering, my weigh has hovered around 194 or so (minor fluctuations) for the past four to five years. In the past two months, my weight has (as of my recent home weighing) dropped to about 182. Yes, we take daily "quick walks" with Belle, and my wife and I are trying to reduce our portions a bit and eat less desserts and treats, so that may be part of that. I'm keeping an eye on the weight though, because it seems to be dropping fairly quickly.
On the other hand........
- My calcium and kidney markers are still very good -- so no obvious significant damage to bones or kidneys.
- The single most important marker related to light chains is the ratio between the two types of light chains: kappa (mine) and lambda. Some folks with Myeloma have more of one, some have more of the other. The ratio should be 0.26 - 1.65 in the healthy range. My ratio has been above that, up to 2.24 in April, since July 2019. My NP even mentioned some concern and need to watch this. So, although my kappa chains were at their highest ever, apparently so were my lambda chains, so my ratio in November was 1.46?!!! What.....?? I don't really know what to make of that.
- My liver function tests are still above healthy range, but look better, overall, than they have in years.
So it looks like I'm still sliding, but I'm not sure how fast, and maybe I'm turning sideways as I go! Of course, that is probably true for most children on slides? I don't really know what is going on, but we'll see what the next results say in April.
But wait! There's....you know. This March, I celebrated SIX YEARS since my stem cell transplant. Wahoo! That is really a milestone. I remember wondering if I would make it to my son's wedding. Yes! And now there's two grandbabies to enjoy and love! I wondered if I would still be able to work. Yes! (Online). Since last July, I've been on sabbatical; I've gotten a lot done, and right now I'm working on a research project, starting to write a federal grant proposal, and trying to finish up three manuscripts (one is about ready to send back, hopefully for publication). Patty and I have had more time together to enjoy movies, laugh at dog and elephant videos, and look forward to our COVID shots. Huzzah!
Speaking of which.....
I have now had both of my COVID shots (Moderna). In a couple of weeks, I may feel a bit better. I may have mentioned last time, that I may not respond as well as most people to the shots, but I should be more protected than I have been. So I'll still be cautious and yes, I'll still be wearing a mask to public situations until most of the population has been vaccinated. So even if you're reading this and not sure you want to be vaccinated, please do! Do it for your friends and families, and even people like me. The COVID variants are also still an issue, but we'll just have to see what we learn as the data keeps coming in. I'm truly grateful to all those who have worked to care for those afflicted and to develop these vaccines which are modern miracles.
In many ways, I'm very glad that my sabbatical just happened to get sabotaged by COVID. I haven't hardly been on campus, and we are very comfortable here at home. I have had less stress since I have been focusing on writing and such, and although it is still a lot of work, it doesn't feel as pressured as grading, and I'm still enjoying working with my research students. That said, I'm looking forward to interacting with students again this fall (even if mostly still online).
I hope all of you are doing well and enjoying the somewhat lurching start of spring. Thanks for reading my blog and caring enough to check in and see how I'm doing. My love to you all! Until next time....stop and smell the flowers (unless you have severe allergies......)
