Dad Goes To An MM Specialist

My Dad will be meeting with an MM specialist named, Dr. David Siegel, at the Hackensack University Medical Center on February 8. The specialist will determine whether or not my Dad has MM, and if so, prescribe a specific course of treatment. If not, our hope is that he will be able to deduce what, then, is going on with my Dad, vis-a-vis, his low platelet count, and other Myeloma indicators/symptoms, such as elevated measures of his plasma cells, IGG count, and a protein called an "M Spike." He does not have any of the other known symptoms of MM, such as tumors, and bone lesions. It is for this reason, that we felt it was important for my Dad to get a second opinion from a specialist, and gratefully, my Dad agrees.

He is adverse to any "alternative" form of treatment, unless it can be determined that these "treatments" do not interfere with his other medications: Lipitur (sp) for cholesterol, and Digitek for his heart. Many of you have provided me with suggestions and recommendations of natural/"alternative" treatments; however, until he has been properly diagnosed, he is reluctant to move forward in any direction, other than where is he is right now. He is receiving a once monthly drip of Pamidronate, to fortify his bone marrow (for his osteoporosis), and is just completing a two week course of Prednizone to raise his platelet levels. His platelets were down to 50 when he first started having tests for MM in early December; the proper average is 140-400, or 150-450. This past Friday, after the two week course of steroids, his platelets are at 127, so they are still below the lowest average. Until he sees the specialist, it will be hard to know what that means, and what more can be done. Whatever is determined regarding his condition following his visit with Dr. Siegel, his condition is treatable.

For those of you who know my Dad, he would be happy to hear from you. He is doing well, and in good spirits. Some of this has been a bit overwhelming for him to digest, from an information standpoint, but he has a great grasp of where he's "at," and is happy to be in the care of such good doctors.

Thanks for all of your love and support. Please feel free to send me any of your thoughts and suggestions, as you've been doing.

Much love,
Sharon