Sep 19, 2019

ABOUT | Blood Cancer Awareness

BLOOD CANCER | Awareness Month | September 2019

Apologies for the long post but it seems an appropriate time to share something. This post is not art related , but please take the time to read ... I don’t tend to share anything personal, but this is rather close to my heart.

Blood cancer is often diagnosed at late stage due to the vague symptoms

The Stats

| Every 14 mins someone is diagnosed with a Blood Cancer. More than 40,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with blood cancer every year. It’s the UK’s third biggest cause of cancer deaths and kills more people than either breast or prostate cancers |

| Every 27 minutes someone is diagnosed with Lymphoma. There are more than 30 types of lymphoma |

| 39% of UK adults had at least one symptom that could have been blood cancer in the last year, but didn’t see a doctor |

Artwork Not My Own - Artist Unknown - Unable to Credit - Appologies

| In 2018 I went to the doctors with back pain & bouts of stomach pain. I was finally diagnosed 13 months later with a combination of High-grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (DLBCL) & Low Grade Follicular Lymphoma |

The Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of blood cancer can be vague and difficult to spot.

They include;

• Unexplained bruising or bleeding • Unexplained weight loss • Lumps or swellings • Drenching night sweats • Persistent, recurrent or severe infections • Unexplained rash or itchy skin • Bone or joint pain • Tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep

Since my diagnosis, I have supported by the wonderful NHS, I have undergone multiple biopsies, all manor of tests & scans & gruelling rounds of Chemotherapy.

I still have Lymphoma. I am now in a 'chemo break’ as they watch, wait & scan I am grateful that I pushed for diagnostic testing at the doctors . I am grateful that I have treatment options ahead of me. I am grateful for the love, care & kindness of others.