Living well with blood cancer stories
Hear from others who've adjusted to life after a blood cancer diagnosis
Facing Hodgkin lymphoma head on
As a young black woman with Hodgkin lymphoma, Nadine has struggled to find support that represents her. She talks about sharing her journey on social media to raise awareness.
Is this the menopause, or blood cancer coming back?
Helen has been in remission from Hodgkin lymphoma since 2008. She explains how menopause symptoms had her worried that the cancer had come back.
Staying hopeful when treatment doesn’t go to plan
Louise talks about how she stayed hopeful during her treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, even though she needed more treatment than she expected.
Making sense of myelofibrosis
David describes the shock of his diagnosis with myelofibrosis (MF), and how he's coming to terms with it.
It’s important to have access to an MPN specialist
Read about Marilyn's experience of myelofibrosis (MF) since she was diagnosed 33 years ago, and what she thinks about the future of MF treatment.
I'm so grateful for my precious donor cells
Louise was diagnosed with myelofibrosis (MF) in 2021. She explains what it's like to have a stem cell transplant and how she's getting on with her recovery.
Fasting during Ramadan while recovering from blood cancer
Nabeela explains how she made the decision to fast during Ramadan, a few weeks into her recovery from treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
People are very surprised when I say I have blood cancer
Gail shares her experiences of living with essential thrombocythaemia (ET) for the last 30 years.
Living with mental health conditions and blood cancer
Becky describes her journey with bipolar, anxiety and mantle cell lymphoma, and the strategies that help her.
Embracing the new Esther
Find out how a blood clot caused by essential thrombocythaemia (ET) changed Esther's life overnight.
I want people to know it's not the end of the world
Jacqui takes a positive view of life with polycythaemia vera (PV), and is relieved by her diagnosis.
Watch Blood Cancer Heart to Heart
A video podcast for people whose loved one has been diagnosed with blood cancer
Finding my own way through it
Vij finds support from other people with blood cancer to manage the emotional side of his polycythaemia vera (PV) diagnosis.
The ups and downs of living with PV
Find out what it's like for Alex living with polycythaemia vera (PV) and what you should know about venesection.
Running to the rescue
Long-distance running helps Ed to cope with difficult times, including his diagnosis with essential thromobocythaemia (ET)
My brother's stem cells saved my life, but I know others aren't as lucky
Kal shares her story about having a stem cell transplant using her brother's stem cells.
Giving up the job I loved was devastating
Ally talks about being diagnosed with MDS (a type of blood cancer), giving up his job in the fire service, and finding a new sense of purpose.
My tips for long hospital stays
Since she was diagnosed with MDS, Emma's had several stays in hospital for treatment. She shares her tips for staying active and positive in hospital.
What gave me hope was hearing other people’s stories
Katherine shares how she found hope in other people's experiences of blood cancer
Finding hope in the face of infertility
Federica shares her story of how blood cancer treatment affected her fertility, and the impact it's had on her life.
Myeloma and my mental health
Sandra talks about her struggle with depression after a blood cancer diagnosis
Coping with myeloma - five people explain how they do it
How do you live with a blood cancer that’s treatable, but you know is likely to come back? We asked a group of people living with myeloma what helps them cope.
What I’ve learnt as a gay man with blood cancer
Being open about your personal circumstances, including your sexuality, can help your medical team give you the best care for blood cancer
When treatment affects fertility
Sunny talks about coming to terms with the news that the treatment he needed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma would affect his fertility.
Facing the stigma of blood cancer
Linda explains how she is dealing with the stigma of a blood cancer diagnosis
It never occurred to me I would need fertility treatment
Kerry talks frankly about having fertility treatment before starting treatment for myeloma
Working his way back
Mart and his partner Kayleigh talk about how Mart got back to work after 18 months of treatment for myeloma
Living with long-term side effects
Stewart talks about the impact treatment side effects have had on their life, and dealing with other people’s expectations.
When treatment causes difficult side effects
Andy shares his story of how he dealt with difficult blood cancer treatment side effects, and how he advocated for himself throughout treatment.
How I got creative with my newly bald head
Simone shares her story of hair loss from myeloma treatment, and how she became more confident with the way she looked with cancer.
Coping with changes to my appearance
Blood cancer treatment can change the way you look. Sunny shares how he coped with this, and what you can do to feel more confident too.
Fatigue won't stop me enjoying life
Erica, 69, has been on watch and wait (a way of monitoring blood cancer) since 2003
Seeking support as a queer person with blood cancer
Stewart shares their story of seeking support with blood cancer, and how they created their own community.
Telling family and friends you have blood cancer
Simone describes how different people reacted to the news that she had myeloma, and gives her tips on telling other people.
No one talks about how hard it is when treatment ends
Lots of people with blood cancer find it hard emotionally when treatment ends. Natalia shares her story of what she went through.
Remember what you’re doing this for – your future self will thank you
Josh reflects on his experiences of having treatment for AML, how it affected him, and how he took back control over his life after blood cancer.
How to keep your positivity during treatment
Graeme shares how he found purpose and goals to keep him going, even at his lowest point.
How to be a good friend to someone with blood cancer
Find out what Bansri's friends and family did to help her through treatment for leukaemia
Because family life doesn’t stop for treatment
Sue explains how careful planning got her family through her husband's lymphoma treatment
Celebrating the little wins
How Jasmine supported her dad through treatment for myeloma
Treatment that never stops
Janet talks about supporting her husband through treatment for a chronic leukaemia
The chance to say it all
Christine shares what helps when you're facing the death of a loved one from blood cancer.
Continuing to work with side effects
Peter shares his tips on speaking to your employers about your blood cancer side effects and how to find work that works for you.
The emotional impact of a poor prognosis
Sue describes what it's like when your loved one's prognosis is not hopeful
Finding people who understand what you've been through
Yvonne shares how she found support in the patient community, through support groups and online.
Life after treatment - finding a new normal
Anna shares her story of life after AML treatment
Coping with a sudden diagnosis of AML
Marie shares her experience of having a sudden life-changing diagnosis of AML.
Finding hope when you most need it
Rebecca shares how she felt hopeful through the tough times and the coping methods that helped.
Having blood cancer as a young person
Bav shares her story of having AML as a teenager. She wants others to know they're not alone and help is there.
Regaining a sense of control
Marie shares her strategies for feeling more in control during treatment for blood cancer.
Becoming your own advocate
Anna describes how she advocated for herself during AML treatment and shares how others can do this too.
The emotional impact of treatment
Yvonne shares what she's learnt from having AML and gives her top tips on coping emotionally.
Accessing information when you’re first diagnosed
Vij is living with polycythaemia vera (PV), a chronic blood cancer. He talks about the value of reading up on your condition.
How to talk to your medical team
Quentin reflects on the importance of good communication with your medical team when you’re diagnosed with blood cancer.
When blood cancer needs urgent treatment
When Jacqueline was diagnosed with a fast-growing type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, she had little time to process what was happening.
Business as usual: working with CLL
Mel was diagnosed with CLL in 2013. He talks about how he’s carried on working throughout watch and wait, treatment on a clinical trial and the coronavirus pandemic.
Turning leukaemia on its head
Despite the harsh side effects of Yvonne's treatment for leukaemia, she was determined to keep as active as she could. By adapting her approach to fitness, Yvonne was able to come back even stronger.
My blood cancer journey to empowerment
Read Megan's reflection on being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, getting into remission, and what she did to take back control of her life.
Giving my second chance at life its best shot
After finally making it to the end of her blood cancer treatment, Joanna entered an anxiety-ridden world. She explains how she's overcoming some of these struggles, so that she can give her second chance at life its best shot.
How I’ve coped with changes to my body
Jacqueline, 45 was diagnosed with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma in 2017. She had chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment and is now in remission.
My strategies for dealing with fatigue
Gerard, 72, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in 2017
Your story can help others
People newly diagnosed with blood cancer need to know they are not alone, and that other people are living and enjoying their life.
Three things I've changed to manage fatigue
Carina, 45, was diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia in June 2017
How I cope with mental fatigue
Emma, 32, was diagnosed with a myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and has had four rounds of treatment, including two stem cell transplants and chemotherapy
My lightbulb moment with anxiety
Donna, 52, first had treatment for follicular lymphoma in 2009 and is now on a two-year maintenance treatment plan
How I've adjusted to life with leukaemia
Paul, 51, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in 2013
Finding my new normal
Mike, 75, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) five years ago
Overcoming my feelings of isolation
Lynn, 55, was first diagnosed with classical Hodgkin lymphoma in 1999 and has had lymphoma five times since then
How I found the financial support I needed
Louise, 63, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and has been in remission since undergoing a stem cell transplant
Reducing my stress by rethinking work
Carina, 45, was diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia in June 2017; following chemotherapy, she’s been in remission since November 2017
Asking for help to work through chemo
Bianca explains how a supportive employer helped her to manage working through chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma.
I was the boss with blood cancer
Louise, 41, was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2012 and is now in remission and back working in the family business
Keeping my business running during treatment
Lawrence talks about his diagnosis and treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, and how he managed to keep his business running.
The right time to change my working life
Joanna was originally diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in August 2010 when she was 41.
How I built up my fitness after treatment for myeloma
Retired soldier Edward was diagnosed with myeloma in 2016, and had a stem cell transplant in 2017.
Doing my best to stay active with leukaemia
Katie, 35, was diagnosed with diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in 2007 when she was just 22
Running helps me show blood cancer who’s boss
Rob, 30, was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in 2011, after noticing a suspicious-looking bruise
Cycling kept me on track during watch and wait
Sarah, 47, was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in 2011 and put on watch and wait
Eating habits that boost my energy
Emma, 39, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2015
How leukaemia changed my attitude to eating
Anna, 44, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in 2015
Coming to terms with my watch and wait diagnosis
In 2003, Erica went to see her gynaecologist following a routine operation, and was told that she had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
Coping with my emotions while I 'watch and wait'
Kate was diagnosed with a form of low-grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2010, and has been on watch and wait ever since.
Supporting each other while we watch and wait
Just a year after getting the all clear from non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), Trevor was told he had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
Looking after myself, as well as my husband
Sylvia’s husband, Tony, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) when he was 63.
Supporting my friend with leukaemia
Samantha, 31, is supporting her friend Natalie, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in 2016. Following chemotherapy and stem cell transplants, Natalie is now receiving palliative care.
Spending precious time with my husband
Jude, 44, has been supporting her husband who is living with non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Adjusting to life with mum on watch and wait
Dan is 16. His mum Kate was diagnosed with a form of low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma (low-grade NHL) in September 2010, and has been on watch and wait ever since.