[jaren2004]

Doctor concerned my mother may have multiple myeloma

by jaren2004 on Sat Dec 06, 2014 9:12 am

Hello everyone,

I would just like to start off by saying that i am so glad to have found this forum.

My mother is a 54 year old woman who has always had problems with anemia. Recently she was found to have a hemoglobin level of 8.0 and a month later it dropped to 6.9. She was referred to a hematologist. When discussing bloodwork findings with him, he mentioned that my mother has a high amount of calcium in her bloodwork, an abnormal protein, and low hemoglobin.

A week later, she gets a skeletal survey done and the doctor says he found spots on her left leg, shoulder and tailbone. Not sure exactly what he meant by spots. However, 3 days later she has gotten a bone marrow biopsy (we are anxiously awaiting those results)

Below is a copy of her bloodwork results

Cbc w/diff

Wbc. 7.17
Rbc. 3.90
Hgb. 8.46
Hct. 28.38
Mcv. 72.85
Mch. 21.72
Mchc. 29.82
Rdw. 21.12
Plt. 264
Neutrophils. 4.72
Lymphocytes. 1.65
Monocytes. .67
Eosinophils. .10
Basophils. .04
Neutrophil % 65.80
Lymphocytes% 23.00
Monocyte% 9.30
Eosinophil. %1.40
Basophil% .50

Please let me know how to read this. I'm confused and trying to learn as much as possible. I'm afraid, but my faith is encouraging.

[Dr. James Hoffman]

Re: Doctor concerned my mother may have multiple myeloma

by Dr. James Hoffman on Sun Dec 07, 2014 2:18 am

This forum is a great resource, happy you found it. From the information you provide, it is hard to be certain about very much. Your mother certainly is anemic - and there are many causes of anemia. Anemia with high calcium and high 'protein' and abnormal bone lesions could certainly be myeloma. But, again, from such general information, I would hate to speculate further. Even within the diagnosis of myeloma there are many different types of illness.

Waiting is hard, but unfortunately that is what must be done. Best to discuss the facts as they are, as opposed to speculating.

Hoping for the best for your mother.

[jaren2004]

Re: Doctor concerned my mother may have multiple myeloma

by jaren2004 on Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:11 am

Thank you for your response. Waiting for these results seem to be the hardest part.

My mother is a very strong woman and my faith tells me that everything will be ok.

We will get the diagnosis on the 15th of this month. I am on pins and needles but my mother is striving as normal.

I will be sure to document this journey. I will have more information on the 15th.