Graham’s Story

I had been losing weight and feeling unwell for sometime. At first I
put this down to the rigours of working life but soon came to realise that I felt unusually tired and developed severe pain in my bones.

At first I controlled this with paracetamol but was sent home from work
on Wed 26^th September with crippling pain in my legs and back.

I was admitted to QEUH directly from a visit to A&E whereupon I
spent the next six weeks undergoing numerous tests and scans.

The pain progressed to intolerable levels. The Beatson doctors became
involved in my pain management and prescribed morphine amongst other unpronounceables.

This helped to control the pain and allowed me even to leave hospital
for a couple of hours for a much needed coffee and cake.

I was eventually transferred to the West of Scotland Beatson Cancer
care centre at Gartnavel Hospital, Glasgow.

By now, my doctors had enough information to begin treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

This is a rare form of cancer affecting the bone marrow, which in turn
affects my blood.

I received blood transfusions which replenished my supplies of red
blood cells and gave me a much needed boost.

Shortly after arriving at the Beatson (they don’t mess about), I
received 5 days of chemotherapy. I am delighted to report that the dreaded pain has gone and I can begin to focus my efforts on fighting back to fitness.

I take comfort from the support of my family, friends and colleagues,
not to mention the army of pupils at Clydebank High School who I know I can depend upon to help fund the unbelievable care I have received and ultimately a cure for all forms of cancer.

CHS pupils and staff are aiming to raise £5,000, starting with a
sponsored 5K Santa Dash on Tuesday 19^th December.

I will eventually require bone marrow treatment and the search for a
donor has begun.

“I will be back”