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Myeloma Misdiagnosed: Mum's Cancer Battle
28 Nov
Summary
- Mum was initially told her symptoms were perimenopause.
- She was diagnosed with incurable blood cancer myeloma.
- She is now raising awareness for early diagnosis.
A mother of five experienced years of chronic anaemia, exhaustion, and painful, heavy periods, which her GP initially attributed to fibroids. Later, her symptoms were mistaken for perimenopause, leading to HRT prescriptions. A collapse at work in April 2023 prompted further investigation, revealing a diagnosis of myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, in July 2024.
Her treatment has included intensive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, and she is now undergoing maintenance therapy. Crystal recounts how her body's signals, such as severe bleeding and night sweats, were overlooked for years. She emphasizes the importance of listening to one's body and seeking persistent answers when something feels wrong.
Crystal has joined Myeloma UK's Christmas Appeal to help others receive earlier diagnoses, noting that myeloma's vague symptoms often lead to it being overlooked. She aims to adapt to a new normal and return to work, sharing her experience to raise vital awareness for the condition.
