30 Aug 2024

The power of positivity: Ruth’s story

While bruising, infections, bleeding and fatigue are the most common symptoms of leukaemia, sometimes this form of blood cancer can be present without any signs at all.  

Ruth, who ran, played squashed and practiced pickleball, was shocked by her diagnosis

Ruth Wake from Brewood in Staffordshire was a fit runner and squash player who’d recently taken up pickleball. But a blood test as part of a routine health check revealed the shock news that she had leukaemia. 

“I had COVID in November 2023 and took over a month to recover,” said Ruth, 56, who works as a senior manager at HSBC. “Looking back now that was probably a sign but I thought nothing of it. Every year, my company pays for me to have a health MOT with BUPA. This entails blood tests, cholesterol checks and an ECG. I went for mine as usual in December and did not suspect a problem as I was living a normal life, running, playing pickleball and going to the gym. But the blood test came back with a high level of ferratin and low levels of haemoglobin. It was strange as I felt fine and had no idea anything was wrong. 

“The BUPA doctor thought it was possibly down to me having had COVID recently and asked me to come back for a retest in two weeks’ time. I returned, fully recovered from covid, but my bloods showed the same results.” 

Ruth contacted her GP surgery to try and get an appointment to discuss the issue but, as it was nearly Christmas by then, found herself having to wait until January 2024. 

“They wanted to delay until they got the official document from BUPA – they wouldn’t just let me have an appointment to tell them the results. They refused to retest me until they’d seen it. In the end it wasted probably two weeks in getting a diagnosis.” 

A new blood test was eventually taken and sent to Stoke Hospital. The next day her GP surgery called Ruth.  

“They asked me to make an appointment with the Haemotology Department at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton for further tests. I was given the impression by the District Nurse who rang me that I had anaemia.” 

Ruth was given a bone marrow biopsy at New Cross Hospital and on 26th January 2024 was given the shocking diagnosis that she wasn’t in fact anaemic. She had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). 

“Needless to say I was speechless. I was running on the Saturday and was diagnosed the week after. I had no symptoms and no idea that I had a life threatening disease. I couldn’t believe it; my world was turned upside down and I was faced with four rounds of chemo and a stem cell transplant when I wasn’t even feeling ill! Telling family and friends was difficult and no one could believe it as I was so fit and healthy. 
 
“I felt overwhelmed and upset as I thought I was going to die. I told my oncologist that I had so much to do this year and couldn’t be ill. I was also shocked that I would have to be admitted into hospital almost immediately and would need to remain for up to six weeks. I also couldn’t believe it when I was told I could be off work for 12+ months.” 

Ruth’s chemotherapy began two days after she was admitted to hospital.  

“The first two rounds were OK but the third and fourth were a bit grim. I lost my hair after the first round – although it’s grown back a bit now like a little Mohican! I had fatigue and nausea and sickness as well.” 

Ruth has now had her fourth round of chemotherapy and will be given a stem cell transplant during the week of 26th  August 2024.  

“It has been frightening but I have coped well, helped with fantastic friends and family. My family were devastated. My husband Adrian has been marvellous but at the start he was frightened about the possibility of him being left on his own. Our two girls were at University we had to tell them by video call – it was the hardest call I’ve ever had to make. The news affected their studies temporarily, but they are strong and the support from their tutors has been fantastic.  

“On the plus side I have met some wonderful people whilst in hospital who will be friends for life as we share a common bond.”

Ruth and her “friends for life”

The search for Ruth’s stem cell donor revealed four potential matches. But further tests ruled them out, a time that Ruth describes as her ‘all time low’. She was then offered stem cells from a more unusual form of donation – umbilical cord blood.  

Collected from the umbilical cord and placenta after childbirth, cord blood is rich in hematopoietic stem cells, which can develop into various types of blood cells. These stem cells are used in transplants to regenerate a patient’s bone marrow and immune system. The donation process is painless and safe for both mother and baby, as the blood is collected after the umbilical cord is cut. 

Cord blood transplants have several advantages, including a higher match potential due to the immature nature of the cells, which makes them more adaptable to different genetic profiles, and a lower risk of graft-versus-host disease. This makes umbilical cord blood a crucial and accessible resource for patients, especially those who cannot find a compatible traditional stem cell donor.

Only three NHS hospitals collect cord blood donations; University College Hospital, Luton and Dunstable Hospital and St George’s Hospital. There are a further five through the Anthony Nolan Trust; Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, SMW Saint Mary’s, Wythenshawe, King’s College Hospital, London, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Hospital. This means the process is still fairly rare.

“I’d never heard of cord blood donation,” said Ruth. “And I’ve felt frustrated since then as no one else seems to have either. Why isn’t this automatic in the UK when we give birth? I think it is in some other countries. My donations are coming from Spain and the US. And there are only five hospitals in the UK that do it. More people need to know. It’s only an umbilical cord – once the baby is born, what would I need that for? They should be donated.” 

Ruth is making plans for life after her transplant. She says she is keen for life to return to normal, and in particular is looking forward to getting back to her sport and fitness. 

“I’d only just started pickleball and I loved it so I’m looking forward to taking that up again. My other goal is to take part in the 2025 Transplant Games as I will be eligible. I am toying with either the 3km walk or the 5km run, or a sprint. It gives me a goal to work towards. When I saw the times of the winners last year I thought ‘I reckon I could do that’. 

“When I was diagnosed I decided that the best way to deal with it was to keep a positive attitude and look for the plus side of my situation. Together with my daughter, I organised a Run for Ruth and raised funds for MacMillan Cancer Research. I also asked for blood donors and acquired 25 new donors from my social media campaign.  

“I want to get my life back but I also want to continue to spread the word that your life is not over just because you have leukaemia, and how important it is to donate umbilical cords.”

Ruth has a positive attitude and is already making plans for the future.