12 Jun 2025

“I went from living in London to moving back in with my parents and taking a year off work.”

At a time in life when most young people are starting careers, relationships, and exploring the world, Karis Longden has had to put her life on hold. Because during Christmas 2023, Karis was told she had leukaemia. Instead, she would need a lengthy and gruelling treatment to overcome the blood cancer.

“Looking back, I was experiencing some initial symptoms but discarded them as nothing serious,” said Karis, who was 24 at the time and living in London. “I was fatigued but put this down to December being a busy month in terms of work and my social life. I also had bone pain in my hips and some bruising that took longer than usual to go away, but I was playing hockey at the time, so was used to being bruised!”

Karis during treatment

On 27th December, Karis started experiencing bad chest pains and an intense stabbing pain in her shoulder.

“I was home for Christmas and Mum encouraged me to phone 111. They told me to go straight to my local A&E. Doctors did an ECG and a blood test and I was advised that my white blood cell count was very elevated, but I had no other signs or symptoms of an infection.”

“I went home and didn’t think too much of it as I thought I had been fighting off an infection I didn’t realise I’d had. The thought that it could be cancer, or leukaemia specifically, never even crossed my mind.”

But the next morning, a phone call from the haematology registrar changed everything.

“They suspected I probably had leukaemia, but they needed to run more tests to confirm. I told my parents but really clung on to the word ‘probably’, hoping it meant that, as they weren’t 100% sure, it wouldn’t be the case. I didn’t feel unwell and my chest pains were gone, so how could I have leukaemia?”

That afternoon, she received another phone call from the haematology department. This time, they confirmed the worst: Karis had been diagnosed with leukaemia.

Karis and her parents visited the haematology consultant in Gloucester where it was confirmed she had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and would need to start treatment immediately. “I mostly felt numb and in shock and disbelief that this was happening.”

Karis in hospital

Five days after her visit to A&E, Karis was admitted to hospital to start treatment on 2nd January 2024. She was given a bone marrow biopsy, but further tests revealed she had Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL. This meant it was highly likely she’d need a stem cell transplant to stay in remission. Karis began her chemotherapy, initially as an in-patient for two weeks, then moved back home to her parents’ house in Gloucestershire to have the remainder there, under their care and support.

“I also had two rounds of the immunotherapy drug blinatumomab, which is a constant infusion therapy, meaning I had to carry round a pump that delivered the drug. Apparently, this is more common in the treatment of children with ALL, and the backpack they gave me definitely looked like something designed for a child, not a 24-year-old woman! So Mum made me a little shoulder bag to put it in. This treatment meant I had to go into the hospital slightly less frequently and had more energy and none of the nausea that I had with the traditional chemo.”

After two four-week rounds of blinatumomab and a one-month cycle of chemotherapy, Karis was ready for her stem cell transplant. The transplant was made possible by her brother Jake donating his cells.

“I was admitted to hospital a week or so beforehand for total body irradiation and chemotherapy ahead of my transplant. It was physically and mentally the most gruelling thing I have ever experienced. I had no appetite, extreme nausea, and was so fatigued. My family and wonderful care team helped keep a smile on my face as much as they could.”

Karis on her birthday in hospital

Karis celebrated her 25th birthday in hospital, with a cake the care team made for her. Two days later, she received her stem cell transplant.

Since the transplant, Karis has been in remission. She is currently on maintenance chemotherapy, which involves taking tablets at home and hospital check-ups every six weeks. Thankfully, the side effects of this type of chemo are minimal, so Karis has been able to begin living her life like a regular 25-year-old again.

“Being diagnosed with leukaemia felt like my life was completely flipped upside down. I went from working and living in London to moving back in with my parents and taking a whole year off work. My friends are dotted round the country, but they all took the time to visit me, which really helped me feel less isolated – my support network really got me through some of the toughest times.

Karis with her family enjoying the outdoors

“I used to live quite an active lifestyle which became really difficult when I fell ill. But I have started yoga and go on walks, which help take my mind off things. I also taught myself to crochet, which has given me something to focus on.”

Karis has had to cancel travel plans, but she is looking forward to picking those plans back up again now that she is well enough. She is also back at work part-time and hopes to be full-time soon, once she has moved back to London.

Karis at her graduation

Inspired by the journey she has been on, Karis wants to help others who have also received a life-altering leukaemia diagnosis. “I studied public health at uni and want to continue pursuing a career in health policy research to help reduce health inequalities. I’m hoping to use my lived experiences to support charities like LeukaemiaUK to help the outcomes and experiences of blood cancer patients like me.”