Yesterday I had my first appointment with Dr. Wright-Browne at Florida Cancer Specialists. My primary doctor referred me after blood work showed a high level of calcium and a 24-hour urine collection showed multiple monoclonal proteins.
Normal proteins multiply, but they are not exact copies. Monoclonal proteins are exact copies and are not normal. They are cancerous.
Dr. Browne had their lab draw 6 vials of blood for further analysis and I'm to do another 24-hour urine collection on Sunday. I'll return it to them on Monday morning. My next appointment will be after the New Year.
I did some research on cancer websites to see what high blood calcium and monoclonal proteins in urine are symptoms of. The answer was Multiple Myeloma. It is a bone marrow cancer. Dr. Browne did mention she may do a bone marrow collection from my pelvis bone and told me that it may be painful.
The high calcium count in my blood is due to my bones leaching calcium. My last bone density test, which was a few years ago, showed osteopenia. Osteopenia is the beginnings of osteoporosis, which are both bone loss.
I'll write an update after my next appointment when I find out my lab results, and a true diagnosis. 👍
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