Waldenstroms, also known as my little lymphoma, is characterized as ‘smoldering;’ that is, the disease progresses slowly, and, in some cases, it plateaus or doesn’t progress at all.
Because of this smoldering nature, Dr. Hema5 prescribes blood tests quarterly and in-person visits semi-annually. I reported for regularly scheduled blood tests a few days ago. I have reviewed the protein immunoglobulin M (IgM) reading and it has risen to 1199.
IgM is the primary indicator of battling cancer cells in the body affected by Waldenstroms.
For reference, here is a brief history; the reference range is 45.0 mg/dL - 281.0 mg/dL:
4/15/2020 After session 4 of chemo: 265 i.e. within normal limits
7/30/2020 384 up 11910/19/2020 426 up 42
1/19/2021 Prior to office visit 453 up 27
5/3/2021 489 up 36
7/21/2021 635 up 146
1/17/2022 873 up 238
5/18/2022 1199 up 326
Some tests were postponed or omitted during Covid-19.
As the untrained eye can see, it is increasing at an increasing rate. The smoldering embers are starting to look like fire.
While I am a bit cautious, I am certainly not yet alarmed. When I last needed chemo, it had risen to about 2300 and I felt terrible.
Today, at 1199, I feel fine. My appetite and energy are fine and I have no complaints at all.
I next see Dr. Hema5 in August and I’ll be very interested to see the result.
