It was a tremendous shock to me and my family. I started treatment within two weeks of my diagnosis and I remember being so focused on getting through my treatment and trying to be as positive as possible.
My first grandchild was born as I finished my last round of chemotherapy and that gave me something positive to focus on!
Following this, my next step was to get through a Stem Cell Transplant in order to kick my Myeloma into the long grass and hopefully stay in remission for longer! With the support of my family and friends and to talking to others who had gone through this rigorous treatment, I got through 4 weeks in a hospital room with no visitors! It’s been a year now since my Stem Cell Transplant and I’m in remission and feel great!
Whilst in hospital I really felt privileged and wanted to give something back. I decided to raise money in the restaurants I own with my husband. We managed to raise over £25,000 in the first six months for local and national blood cancer charities and now continue to raise money for The Bloom Appeal – a local Merseyside Blood Cancer Charity.
I was approached by one of their trustees of this latter charity to become more involved and am now on their board of trustees. I feel very privileged to be part of something that supports and brings hope to many people with Blood Cancer and their families.