Hello and thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

On the 20th January 2020 I was struck down with unexplainable pain in my sternoclavicular joint... yes I had to Google where it was too! Within 48 hours I was bedridden and unable to lift my head, care for myself, or do anything without help from my partner, Nick.

Over the following days we visited two hospitals and were turned away saying they couldn't find anything wrong. A week after becoming ill and unable to bear the pain anymore, I paid for a private MRI scan and I was contacted that same night by the radiologist advising me to phone an ambulance urgently.

I was admitted to York Hospital and diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Septic Arthritis whereby my sternoclavicular joint was infected with Streptococcus Pneumoniae bacteria. The MRI had also shown abnormalities within my bone marrow. I had a bone marrow biopsy and the following day was visited by a very solemn looking doctor who asked if I had any family with me. I knew it was bad news. She then told me I had Multiple Myeloma, a type of cancer of the bone marrow. I can't remember what else she said, as the only thing resonating in my mind was the fact that it was incurable. I began a chemotherapy regime straight away.

As a fit and active 39-year-old Police Officer with a 4-year-old daughter I can't begin to tell you how utterly shattered we were. I'd suffered with a bad back for over a year but I always put it down to exercise or digging in our allotment. I never dreamed there would be anything serious underlying it.

Myeloma is extremely rare accounting for only 2% of all cancers. The average age for diagnosis is 65, and only 2% of all Myeloma patients are as young as me. I then found out that I have a genetic mutation that puts me in the high risk category and results in a very poor prognosis of only 30 months.

After 4 cycles of VTD chemotherapy I had a stem cell harvest. Then on the 27th July I was admitted to St. James' Hospital in Leeds where I had my first autologous stem cell transplant. I spent three weeks in hospital, four days of which I was very ill with neutropenic sepsis. Thankfully I pulled through but we were later told by an ICU nurse that they didn't think I would survive the night. That was pretty sobering!

Anyhow, having lost all my hair and the moon face that comes with chemotherapy, I am now on the road to recovery. I have researched what is the best treatment for me considering the genetic mutation that I have and my consultant has recommended the drug Lenalidomide as a maintenance therapy. Studies show that patients who take Lenalidomide following stem cell transplant get on average, 1.9 years longer and deeper remission than those who do not have it. However, it’s sadly outside the scope of the NHS and not funded for my stage of treatment.

With my prognosis, my chance of life is limited. But with Lenalidomide, I could enjoy another two years of life. It may not sound like much, but it means more crucial days with my brave little girl, and my family. I’m asking for help so I can enjoy these precious moments.

The drug is self-funded in advance at a cost of approximately £2449 per month. I would need the drug for as long as it is working for me. So I may need up to 2 years’ worth or longer (hopefully). That is if it is successful in the first instance.

Any support which you are able to offer in helping me fundraise would be hugely appreciated as I cannot do this alone.

The money means the world to me and my family as it gives me a fighting chance to access a treatment which is not funded under the NHS.

Thank you and lots of love, Tammi x