Ann Wraith, a mother-of-one from Glasgow, initially dismissed her night sweats and broken sleep as a bad cold, but was later diagnosed with myeloma, a type of blood cancer that develops from abnormal plasma cells. She was diagnosed two weeks after requesting blood tests from her GP.
Diagnosis and treatment
Ann said: "I knew something wasn't right, so I asked my GP for blood tests. At no point did I think I could have cancer. I was diagnosed two weeks later." She was "scared and overwhelmed" upon diagnosis. Her daughter could not visit her on the ward due to her age, leaving Ann isolated.
Myeloma is currently treatable but not curable. Ann underwent a stem cell transplant and spent three weeks in hospital away from her family. While the treatment worked well, it came with gruelling physical and emotional side-effects.
Symptoms and awareness
Blood cancer symptoms vary widely and may include persistent pain, fatigue, recurrent infections, and unexplained bone problems, making diagnosis challenging. Ann recalled: "I had what I thought was a bad cold that I couldn't shake off. I was getting up frequently during the night, and I was so exhausted that I was falling asleep during the day, which was completely unlike me. I also had a painful leg for months that seemed to come out of nowhere."
She added: "I wish more people understood the psychological impact of living with myeloma. Alongside the physical challenges, there is a lot of uncertainty and fear. It can be easy to dismiss what your body is trying to tell you and put symptoms down to stress, ageing or being busy, but don't ignore symptoms that don't feel normal for you. There is hope. You don't have to face it alone."
Support from Beatson Cancer Charity
Throughout her treatment, Ann received support from the Beatson Cancer Charity, which she said made the experience more manageable. The charity created a sense of community through chats over tea and cake and support both in hospital and in the community.
Ann said: "I don't take ordinary moments for granted now. Walking outside, going for a coffee, or spending time with the people I love feels incredibly precious. Recovery is teaching me to celebrate even the smallest victories."
A spokesperson from Beatson Cancer Charity said: "Raising awareness of myeloma and its symptoms is vital, as earlier diagnosis can make a significant difference to treatment options and outcomes."
