42 year old was prescribed vitamins after he began experiencing extreme tiredness
Martin Anderton had never imagined that feeling tired all the time could end up getting diagnosed with a life threatening disease. "The dad-of-two hadn’t been to the GP in 20 years as he was usually “so healthy”," reported Mirror.
He went to a doctor after noticing these signs
The Merseyside native, went to a doctor after "experiencing strange night sweats, mouth ulcers and had lost weight." “I went to my GP, but and they told me I needed to re-register because I hadn’t been in 20 years. I was normally just so healthy that I hadn’t needed to go,” he told the media. At an NHS walk-in centre, he was prescribed vitamins.
The symptoms persisted and then he did a blood test
Even after taking the vitamins, his symptoms persisted. It was then he was given a blood test. "The full blood count test revealed abnormalities in his white blood cells," he reveals. Few days later he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
"I had a 30 per cent chance of surviving the initial chemotherapy"
The father of two told the media that he was informed by the doctor that he had only 30 per cent chance of surviving the initial chemotherapy. “He told me I had a 30 per cent chance of surviving the initial chemotherapy. It was all a bit of a blur, but I figured that 30 per cent was better than nothing, so I decided to fight and stay positive.”
He underwent stem cell transplant
In June 2019, Martin underwent stem cell transplantation. Currently, he is living a normal life with some exceptions. “Since leukaemia, I am not able to do the things I used to love like DIY,” he said. “I get tired very easily and have lots of issues with my back, which I put down to the amount of bone marrow biopsies and lumbar punctures I had. I just have to manage and adapt to the pain, but I am so grateful to be here.”
What is leukemia and what are its symptoms?
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow and blood cells, leading to abnormal white blood cell production. It can develop rapidly (acute) or slowly (chronic). Early signs include persistent fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising, and unexplained weight loss. Other symptoms may include pale skin, excessive sweating (especially at night), swollen lymph nodes, and nosebleeds. Some people experience bone pain, fever, or shortness of breath. Since these symptoms can be mistaken for common illnesses, early diagnosis through blood tests is crucial. If you notice persistent symptoms, consult a doctor for timely evaluation and treatment.
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