DIRECTIONS FOR USE AUTOMATED TESTING HISTORY TEMPLATE for Multiple Myeloma Patients 3/19/2007 Revision 4

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1 Includes copyrighted material. Any use of this material, including reproduction or distribution, must comply with applicable copyright law, as well as with the North Texas Myeloma Support Group s contractual obligations. Reproduction or reuse in excess of fair use may result in liability for copyright infringement. Copyright 2004 "North Texas Myeloma Support Group" (Dallas, TX). All rights reserved. Myeloma patients and care givers, other Myeloma Support Groups, Myeloma Doctors, the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), and the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) may use without prior written permission. You may wish to print out a copy of these Directions For Use to make them easier to read and to refresh your memory during future use. Don t be intimidated by the length of these instructions! They are divided into specific sections. Review only the section needed for your next task. If you don't know how to use a computer or Excel, perhaps a family member, friend, or support group member can assist you with your testing record keeping or teach you how to do your own. A two page manual use Data Entry Worksheet is also available to fill in with pencil or pen without using a computer, except to print out a supply of the blank worksheet forms. Have a family member or friend download and print a supply of the two pages of blank forms from the web site listed in General Instructions No. 3 below. General Instructions: 1. VERY IMPORTANT! - DO NOT ADD OR DELETE ANY COLUMNS OR ROWS, OR RESIZE ANY OF THE TEMPLATE OR DATA TEXT. There are hidden formulas, and hidden links to connect data to the trend line charts. Adding or deleting columns or rows will cause severe problems that will become nearly unfixable. If this happens accidentally, start over with a new copy of the template. These are the most common major potential problems for users of this Testing History Template. The Test Data Entry worksheet text was purposely sized to fit 12 sets (dates) of data on one page when printed. 2. Microsoft "Excel" Software is required for use. Some basic knowledge of Microsoft "Excel" Software is assumed. Internet access is also assumed for downloading the Automated Testing History Template tool and these Directions For Use. 3. Access template on the North Texas Myeloma Support Group web site. The link is as follows: template.html 4. Save (down load) at least one blank template copy on your computer as a permanent "Archive" or backup copy of the blank template. 5. Also make a copy of this blank template on your computer and rename as your "Working Copy" of the template. Page 1 of 8

2 6. If you want to remove unnecessary worksheet pages from your "Working Copy" (A.) Left click on the worksheet tab to select worksheet (B.) Right click on worksheet tab (C.) Left click on "Delete" from menu (D.) Left click on "OK" button (E.) NOTE: Always delete the "Example - Test History Charts" worksheet first before deleting the "Example - Test Data Entry" worksheet due to the links between the two worksheets. 7. If you decide to permanently: (A.) Add personal information to the Test Data Entry worksheet or to the Test History Charts, (B.) Add, Change, or Delete Test Names, Units, or Expected Ranges on the Test Data Entry worksheet, (C.) Substitute new Test Names (to link a new test to the chart) or delete Test Names (for tests not run for your type of Myeloma) from any of the Test History Charts (to simplify the appearance of the Test History Charts), or (D.) Reduce size and complexity of your future "Working Copies" of the template by deleting unnecessary template worksheet pages (such as "Directions For Use", "Example - Test Data Entry" and "Example - Test History Charts") - Suggestion: (E.) First make all changes on a blank copy made from your permanent blank archive template. (F.) Then save this modified template as a "Master Working Copy" of the template with a unique file name with all of the desired permanent changes made to it. (G.) Then make all future "Working Copies" of the template from the "Master Working Copy. This will assure that all future Working Copies, that are made as required, will already have all of the permanent changes already on them. 8. Important - While filling in your actual test data, save frequently to your renamed test history file to avoid losing previously completed work during that work session. 9. Include both the first Date of Test (MM-DD-YY) and last Date of Test (MM-DD-YY) for the test data already entered on that particular worksheet as part of every working copy file name to assure the file name is always a unique, chronologically useful file name. 10. You should retain a copy of the previous version (test dates) of your partially filled in working file as a backup in case of software or hardware problems while filling in additional new test data on that particular working copy data entry worksheet. 11. After you finish filling in and saving new test history by date, you may delete versions older than the current and previous versions of your partially filled in test history. Of course, permanently save any full worksheets (12 sets of test data) as prior records of your older test history. 12. Important - Save a second copy of the "Master Working Copy", current "Working Copy", and full Worksheets (12 sets of test data) for your test history on electronic storage media physically separate from your computer. 13. To move from worksheet to worksheet using the Excel software, left click on the worksheet name tabs at the bottom of the page to select required worksheet. 14. Use the horizontal arrows at the bottom left side of the Excel page to move right or left to worksheet name tabs that may not be showing. Page 2 of 8

3 Examples: 15. There is an EXAMPLE - TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet page to show what a filled in test data entry page looks like. "A picture is worth a thousand words" kind of thing. 16. Data and treatments on the EXAMPLE - TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet page are made up. Do not draw any conclusions from or make any correlation with this fake data. 17. There is also an EXAMPLE - TEST HISTORY CHARTS worksheet page to show what the four test history trend line charts could look like after data is entered. Test Data Entry - General Information: 18. The Test Data Entry worksheet page organizes each Myeloma patient's personal test history. Each Test Data Entry worksheet holds 12 sets (dates) of test history data. 19. Test History Charts can hold 12 sets (dates) of test history data and still be printed as one page. That is why the TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet only contains 12 sets of data. 20. Select (left click the file tab) the TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet page to first enter your own test history data. You can enter previous test data or start with only new data. 21. Important - To enter or edit any data or text in any worksheet cell, first double click left mouse button inside the desired cell. Mouse pointer should blink inside cell. 22. You may put some general personal information into the large box at the upper left corner of the Test Data Entry Page. View the EXAMPLE - TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet! 23. To put personal information on all future working copy Test Data Entry pages, first put this information on your blank archive copy before making future working copies from it. 24. Tests not listed may be added to a blank row in the four left hand columns. Test names can be modified, but do not move a test to a new row - it may be linked to a chart! 25. To delete or add tests to all future working copy TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet pages, first delete or add the tests to your blank archive copy before making future working copies from it. Page 3 of 8

4 26. Any new tests added to blank rows will not be linked to or show up on any Test History Charts. You will have to know or learn how to create chart links to do this. 27. To make room for additional tests after all blank rows are used, you may replace the names, units, and expected ranges of tests listed but never expected to be done for you. 28. Replacing a test name on a row linked to a Test History Chart (red colored names) will put the new test name and any future test data on the chart in place of the original test. 29. You can use the previous step to add a new test and also have it displayed on a chart. Replace an unused test (that is charted) with a new test that you want to chart. 30. The "Units" column (green) contains common units reported for each test. Change the unit, if your lab reports in different units. A "key" at the bottom of the page defines units. 31. "Expected Range" column describes range of usual results for normal healthy individuals. Change the range, if your lab reports results with a different "expected range". 32. If different "Expected Range" limits are needed on a Test Data Entry page, change the "Expected Range" to correspond to the last set of data recorded since the most recent data is more relevant. 33. "Expected Range" may vary from one laboratory to another. It is also called "Reference Range" or "Normal Range" by some labs. 34. The "Average" column (tan) automatically calculates averages of any data to the right on that row. Test Data Entry - Specific Steps: 35. Start by selecting the TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet page to first begin entering your own test history data. 36. Starting on left in an empty yellow cell, type in on Row 4 each "Date of Test". Use a MM/DD/YY or a MM/DD/YYYY date format to display the date of tests. This allows multiple reporting of the same type of test done on more than one day within the same month. 37. The cell will display the test date in a MM/DD/YY date format on the TEST DATA ENTRY worksheets. 38. Type in test data reported for each test on the row and in the white left column of the corresponding test date. Leave test data cells blank (not zero) for all tests not done on that date. 39. The Test Data Entry worksheet is set up to print the 12 columns of test data to fit on one page. You may also prefer to print charts with 12 columns of data included instead. 40. Never add data or make any changes in the second table on the right side of the TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet page. Add data or make changes only in the left hand table. Page 4 of 8

5 41. When the TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet is full (12 sets of data), make a new working copy of the Test History Template from your (modified?) archive blank template. 42. Always create a new working copy with a new unique file name from the archive blank template for new data worksheets beyond the first 12 sets of data on the first sheet. Viewing Test History Charts: 43. Each TEST HISTORY CHART worksheet page holds 1 set of 4 different Test History Charts. These display only data from the same working copy of the test history template. 44. Many of the tests and test data (red colored text) on the TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet page are linked to one of the charts on the TEST HISTORY CHARTS worksheet page. 45. In upper left hand corner of each chart page is trend (line) Chart 1 for the 4 quantitative tests used in the Durie-Salmon Staging System for Multiple Myeloma. 46. In upper right hand corner of each chart page is trend (line) Chart 2 for the 2 quantitative tests used in the International Staging System for Multiple Myeloma. 47. In lower left hand corner of each chart page is trend (line) Chart 3 for 8 quantitative tests often used to help determine prognosis and status of Multiple Myeloma. 48. In lower right hand corner of each chart page is trend (line) Chart 4 for 7 quantitative tests sometimes used for monitoring Multiple Myeloma patient status. Modifying Test History Charts: 49. Logarithmic Vertical Scales were used on all test history charts to allow test history data of widely varying numerical magnitudes to display and print on a single chart page. Zero values (created from blank cells linked from the Test Data Entry page) (or negative data values) will create an error message which should always be safely ignored by left clicking OK in error message pop-up box. 50. Selecting a chart may create a "Negative or zero values cannot be correctly plotted on a log chart" error message. Left click on the "OK" button to remove and ignore. 51. Tests linked to a Test History Chart, but unused due to all blanks on the TEST DATA ENTRY worksheet, will have no data points on the linked chart and 0.00 in the chart data table. Page 5 of 8

6 52. Test names and data that are red colored text are already linked to a Test History Chart. Also if the test name is on a chart, it is linked to that chart. 53. Unused tests linked (red text) to a Test History Chart can be replaced by a new test that you do want to chart. Refer to steps 28 and 29 above to chart a new test in place of an unused one. 54. Removing unused tests will help unclutter chart appearance. To permanently remove an unused test name and blank row from a Test History Chart data table and chart legend: (A.) Single click the right mouse button on the desired chart just to the left of the vertical "Test Results" value axis title. (B.) Left click "Source Data..." from the menu. (C.) Left click "Series" tab. (D.) Left click on "Series" test name to be removed. (E.) Left click the "Remove" button. (F.) Left click "OK" button. 55. To add your name or other information to any chart title to identify printed copies given to your doctor or others: (A.) Single left click on the desired Chart Title text. (B.) Single left click again on the desired Chart Title text. (C.) Add, change, and/or remove text as desired. (D.) Suggestion: Add new information text to left of top line of original text. (E.) Create new row by pressing "Enter" key once on keyboard when cursor is at the right end of the new text. (F.) Move cursor to end of original top line of text. (G.) Press "Delete" key once on keyboard to put all original text on one line. Use only two lines of text in revised Chart Title or it will not fit properly. (H.) Move cursor to right end of original top line of text. (I.) Add one space, then one "dash", and then one additional space to separate the original two rows of text that are now on the second line of the revised Chart Title. (J.) Click outside chart to exit. 56. To change test names and put personal information on future working copy Test History Charts, first make these changes on a blank archive copy before making working copies. Printing Test Data Entry Worksheets, and/or individual Test History Charts and their attached Test History Data Tables: 57. "Print" Test Data Entry Worksheets from the "File" menu (upper left page corner). You may wish to use "Print Preview" from the "File" menu to view the Test Data Entry Worksheets before printing. The worksheet is purposely sized to fit one worksheet on one printed page. 58. Use the horizontal and vertical scroll bars on the Excel page or the horizontal and vertical arrow keys on the keyboard to view the desired individual Test History Charts. 59. Test History Charts and their attached data tables should only be printed one chart at a time. If all four charts are printed on the same page, they will be too small to read. 60. To select a Test History Chart for printing, single click left mouse button on the desired chart just to the left of the vertical "Test Results" value axis title. Page 6 of 8

7 61. Selecting a chart may create a "Negative or zero values cannot be correctly plotted on a log chart" error message. Left click on the "OK" button to remove and ignore. 62. "Print" individual Test History Charts from the "File" menu (upper left page corner). You may wish to use "Print Preview" from the "File" menu to view the chart and attached data table before printing. Each Test History Chart is sized to fill one printed page. 63. Select your desired printer from the "Printer Name" list in your "print window" that opens after you click "Print" on the "File" menu. 64. Note: Test Data Entry Worksheets and Test History Charts are set up for use with color printers which makes data points and trend lines easy to distinguish. However, worksheets and charts printed on black printers still provide identifiable shading, lines, and patterns. 65. To view trend lines over periods of time covered by greater than 12 sets of test data per chart, print and lay out charts of the same type side by side to extend trend lines displayed. Important Benefits of Printing Test Data Entry Worksheets, and/or individual Test History Charts and their attached Test History Data Tables: Giving an updated copy of your appropriate printed Testing History Template pages to your oncologist at each appointment is a good visual aid to help quickly refresh your doctor s memory about your specific case and test history. These visual aids make the trends very easy to determine for some of the more important monitoring tests. Trends are more important in managing your case than the absolute numerical values for most monitoring tests. More doctors these days have less appointment time allotted to spend with each patient for a variety of economic reasons. These visual aids should save your doctor most of the time he or she would otherwise need to spend looking back through your previous paper or computerized test records to recall the necessary details of your case. This review time saved then provides more of the allotted appointment time for discussion, answering your questions, managing your case, and planning the next steps. You also may chart Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, (and Glucose) tests on the Healthy Heart Tracker on the American Heart Association web site. The link is as follows: For Help, or to Get Questions Answered, or to Make Suggestions For Improvement: Read these "Directions For Use" thoroughly first. This may answer your questions. You may details on any help needed, your questions, or suggestions. Try to be as specific as possible and provide enough detail to better communicate the help you want, the problem Page 7 of 8

8 you are having, or the suggestion you are making. to Dennis McClure at or if necessary, call Dennis McClure at in Arlington, TX. This is located in the USA Central Time Zone. Page 8 of 8