From 1986 to Today: A Survivor’s Journey with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia

Cast your mind back to 1986. Ross was 20 years old, working as an apprentice Quantity Surveyor after completing 1.5 years of his 4-6 year College course. The world seemed full of potential – his future was bright, or so he thought.

Having been transferred to the Head Office in Glasgow, Ross was commuting by bus to work. In November 1986, he noticed he was becoming increasingly short of breath while running for the bus. By the first week of November, he was off work, and his health quickly deteriorated – he struggled to breathe, prompting a chest X-ray. Thankfully, his GP had the foresight to admit him to the local hospital. By then, one of his lungs was full of fluid, and the other was ¾ full. No wonder he was so short of breath.

On a Sunday morning, Ross found himself in a side room, undergoing his first Bone Marrow Biopsy, carried out by the Consultant Haematologist, who had come in off the golf course specially for him. When Ross asked for an explanation, the doctor had no choice but to tell him—he had Leukaemia, later confirmed as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).

Ross and his family were told about the urgency of needing a stem cell transplant. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to find an unrelated donor, his brother wasn’t a match, and the bone marrow registers were in their early stages at the time.

After a few ups and downs, Ross was transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary for an autologous stem cell transplant (SCT). About 12 weeks later, he was allowed home for two days, weighing just 6 stone 9 pounds.

There is so much more to Ross’s story – the journey back to work, the realisation that at 20 years old, his life had stopped while everyone else had moved on as normal. Over time, mental health issues (and some health legacies from the treatment) became evident. However, due to the medical practices of the ’80s, mental health wasn’t a focus during his treatment, leaving him with a legacy of emotional struggles that didn’t fully emerge until many years later.

Ross could speak at length about his experiences and he’s dedicated to helping and supporting others going through similar diagnoses. His unique longevity offers hope to anyone facing such a challenge today. The mental health impact of a diagnosis and treatment, particularly as a young adult, is an issue Ross is particularly passionate about addressing.

Clinical Trials and Research: How Far We’ve Come

Looking back to Ross’s diagnosis in the ’80s, clinical trials and research were still in their early stages. The treatment options available were limited, and the focus was primarily on survival, with less attention on long-term outcomes or side effects.

Fast forward to today, and the field of leukaemia treatment and clinical trials has evolved significantly. Research and clinical trials have led to a host of advancements that offer renewed hope for leukaemia patients. These advancements in research and clinical trials offer hope to those currently facing a leukaemia diagnosis. Not only do these improvements bring better treatment options, but they also provide a better quality of life throughout and after treatment. The progress made over the last few decades from Cure Leukaemia gives a positive outlook for the future of leukaemia care.