I still remember the day I found out I had multiple myeloma, I was sitting on the toilet when my haematologist rang me. It was an unusual setting for such life-changing news, and although the conversation was as positive as it could be, the reality soon set in during the follow-up appointments. 

The diagnosis was clear, the treatment options were laid out, and none of them sounded particularly pleasant. 

At first, I only shared the news with my wife and adult children. My elderly mother had her own health battles, so I chose not to worry her. As I came to understand more about what was ahead, I opened up to close friends and extended family, but I’ve never been one for drama. I asked for their respect and care, without fuss. 

The hardest part wasn’t the procedures, but learning 

how to transition back to a “normal” life afterward 

My treatment started with urgent back therapy after I cracked multiple vertebrae, leaving me in severe pain. That was successful, which allowed me to begin chemotherapy, and later a stem cell transplant under the guidance of my consultant haematologist. 

The hardest part wasn’t the procedures themselves, but learning how to transition back to a “normal” life afterward. After 4–5 months, I managed to return to work in a demanding job, but within a year I realised retirement was the healthier choice. That decision, made alongside my wife, was one of the best things for my mental health and our lifestyle. 

I jokingly called it an “endurance trial” 

The true turning point came when I was referred to Linear for a clinical trial. At that stage, my protein levels were rising, and I saw no downside to participating. In fact, I felt it was an important next step, and I’ve only benefited from it. 

Early on, I jokingly called it an “endurance trial”, the treatment schedule was intense, but as my myeloma markers dropped, the process eased, and life began to feel normal again. 

For my family, this trial has meant so much more than medicine. It gave us stability, a return to everyday life, and, most importantly, the chance to welcome our first grandchild, something I wasn’t sure I’d live to see. 

Being on this trial hasn’t just extended my life, it’s given me back the quality of life I thought was slipping away.