I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma - a rare incurable cancer of the bone marrow - through a routine NHS health check at my GP surgery earlier this year. My GP may well have saved my life by encouraging me to have the check up. I had thought I was a fit woman, but it turned out that cholesterol was the least of my problems.

I have been receiving a cocktail of drug treatment since January
2017 as a day case patient. Followed by a high intensity stem cell bone
marrow transplant process on Ward 19 at Heartlands Hospital in August.

I was seen by specialist doctors at the Queen Elizabeth
Hospital Birmingham, and I received five months of day case treatment twice a week at Good Hope Hospital , which is closer to home. The transplant on Ward 19 followed.

I should mention the huge unseen role of the National Blood Transfusion Service in this process, which is complex, complicated and very expensive. I am very grateful it is available on the NHS as it costs between £30,000 and £50,000.

All of the doctors, nurses and support staff have been truly marvellous, during the lengthy period of isolation and dealing with the side effects expertly . The level of kindness and compassion of the staff shown to
myself and family was truly humbling to receive, as they are so incredibly busy.

I have just had the great news that the treatment has worked
and I am hoping and praying for a lengthy period of remission.

The lead doctors and nurses want to develop an outpatient transplant service and are fundraising in their own time to raise over £2million. I want to support this lifesaving work by raising awareness of blood cancers and fundraising so that more people can be treated quicker and without lengthy hospital stays in isolation.

As I am not fit enough to do triathlons or extreme challenges, I have been donating my time to work with the busy doctors and nurses to develop a new model of care for community transplant patients.

This will be achieved by developing patient information materials
and patient feedback into the new treatment model. This will be  on going  until the target is achieved and the new service becomes a reality. It could well be the first of its kind in the UK.

So I am asking you to please support me by donating to the
Ward 19 Charity at Heartlands Hospital . Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and please do remember to get your NHS health check at your GP.

Eileen