New cancer fears for Examiner’s Adrian

Jan 21 2008 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Alarm in new tests – but hopes run high

IT’S another cruel cancer blow for Examiner reporter Adrian Sudbury.

His bone marrow test results have shown that his chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) could be coming back.

However, although it sounds like bad news, Adrian insists there is not too much to be concerned about.

He said: “The test results basically came back all-clear with the exception of one.

“The scientists have found there is a trace of a protein associated with CML.

“I obviously wish it wasn’t there, but as my consultant explained on an anxiety scale of one to 10, this is about a 1.5.”

There are two reasons that Adrian feels confident.

The first is he has started taking the so-called wonder drug Glivec, which has transformed the treatment of CML in recent years.

Many patients with this form of leukaemia take these tablets and either achieve remission or the cancer is held at bay for many years.

Secondly, Adrian has developed a post-transplant complication called chronic graft versus host disease.

This is where his new immune system, from his donated bone marrow cells, attack his own body.

Although this condition can be massively debilitating it should also offer a degree of protection against the cancer.

Adrian said: “It’s a strange irony that the one thing I’m really worried about, my graft versus host disease, will probably play a major role in keeping me alive.”

Specialists will know more following his next bone marrow test in April.

Our man has been away from the Examiner office with this illness for over a year. However, since November he has resumed his role as digital journalist – editing the Examiner’s new website – from home.

“I wish all this would come to an end, but I am beginning to accept that I will probably have to live with a range of problems for the rest of my life.

“Being able to work again has helped no end and I can’t tell you how good it feels to be able to contribute and get back into a job I really like.

“My illness and its treatment are becoming increasingly complicated so it has really helped writing about it and trying to explain it to others through my blog.”

You can follow Adrian’s progress at his award-winning Baldy’s Blog at www.examiner.co.uk