Multiple Myloma and light counts. Advice / help please

[Eggle]

Can someone help me. My Father has Multiple Myloma and has had 2 different types of treatment and was in the 2nd remission.
He just rang me to tell me the latest results showed his light count had risen from 15 to 35.
I can't talk to him about it for emotional reasons, but would like to know what that means in real terms. What should it be and where are we going from here?
From what I can gather, it is back, but how bad, how long will he last before more treatment. My Brother is getting married on 1st May and he wants to hold off treatment until after the wedding as it pulls him down so much

[Eggle]

No-one?

[The_Doc]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_myeloma

but you'd need to be a haematologist to understand it, and I'm not.

This forum is not going to be the answer to your questions.

Your relative's doctors cannot discuss his case with you without his permission, so you're heading towards a chat with your father.

The light count is most likely "Light chains" as it's a monoglomal gamopathy

[scrawler]

Hi

try the website below, they have an info line and a section for carers. They are a very useful resource- however they are not likely to be able to answer specific questions relating to your fathers case. You will however be able to get lots of additional and general info that may explain myeloma to you which will help your understanding. Sometimes having a bit more background info can help-especially with haematological conditions which can be quite complicated.

You need to speak with your dads medical team ie consultant haematologist or ask if they have a specialist nurse who may be able to answer general questions - they too will be unable to discuss your dads case with you unless he has given his consent for them to do so.

whether he requires more treatment at present or whether he will be able to wait until May really can only be answered by his medical team as this disease can be quite variable. A lot depends on his response to treatments in the past and other symptoms/presenting factors etc

It may be the time to talk with your dad, explain your concern and that you would like to know more and see if he minds you accompanying him to his next out patients appointment

www.myeloma.org.uk

Good luck to you and your dad

scrawler

[Eggle]

Thanks guys.
I had hoped for a simple "it should be 25" type answer, but it looks like a very complex thing.
I know I need to talk it through, but I guess I wanted to find out what I could and try to convince myself it wasn't too bad.