Mother of two Mandy was diagnosed with myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer, in 2017. After receiving chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, she went into remission but in 2020, she relapsed. She was referred to The Royal Marsden for further treatment and is now taking part in a clinical trial.
Diagnosis of multiple myeloma
“I went on a cruise in August 2017. We were riding bikes and walking, and my back was getting progressively worse. I got to the stage where I couldn’t sit down properly.
“I saw a doctor when I got home, and had an MRI scan at a private hospital. When they got the results, the young physiotherapist called in a colleague. My L5 vertebra (lowest vertebra of the lumbar spine) had collapsed. It had gone. I was sent for blood tests.
“I got the call that I had multiple myeloma. I just thought, this is not me. I haven’t got cancer. It didn’t feel real to me. I’d never even heard of multiple myeloma.
“There is no cure for multiple myeloma, but it is treatable. I thought, thank goodness for that.”
Mandy received chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant, and went into remission. However, in 2020 she relapsed and was referred to The Royal Marsden for more treatment.
What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, is a type of bone marrow cancer. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue at the centre of some bones that produces the body's blood cells. It's called multiple myeloma as the cancer often affects several areas of the body, such as the spine, skull, pelvis and ribs.
Treatment at The Royal Marsden
“I saw Dr Boyd at The Royal Marsden for treatment. The myeloma had started to take hold again and cause further damage to my spine, thigh, and pelvis. If it had been treated a little bit earlier this might not have occurred.
“Dr Boyd recommended daratumumab and bortezomib – two targeted cancer drugs that kill the myeloma cells. It’s a fairly new treatment and he has said that I have had an extremely good response to it.”
“Having my treatment in the Oak Cancer Centre is a much nicer experience. It’s so bright and airy and spacious”
Since June 2023, Mandy has been on the ProMMise clinical trial which is testing multiple treatments for myeloma, with the aim of improving treatment for relapsed myeloma patients. Mandy now receives her treatment in the new Olayan Day Care Unit in the Oak Cancer Centre.
“Having my treatment in the Oak Cancer Centre is a much nicer experience. It’s so bright and airy and spacious, you can find areas to be alone if you need to, it’s brilliant.
“The treatment areas are comfortable and give the staff more room for equipment and ease of movement. And the added extras of somewhere to place your belongings and a table to place your drink, phone and book also make time spent there easier.”
Remission on the ProMMise trial
“I’m pleased to say that I have reached remission on the ProMMise trial, which feels like such a positive moment.
"My husband and I recently returned from a trip to Amsterdam for our 35th wedding anniversary, and it just felt wonderful to be away and feel well.”
After going into remission, Mandy was able to experience her son’s wedding last year. She has also fundraised for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity by taking part in events like the Walk 60 miles in October challenge. Her daughter Grace ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon two times to raise money for the Charity and this year is taking part in the London Marathon 2025!
“I’ve been treated at The Royal Marsden for a number of years and to fundraise towards the building of the Oak Cancer Centre, and now to be a patient in the building and benefiting from the amazing modern space, feels very special.”
“So much hope for the future”
“Knowing that amazing researchers are developing treatments for me, and others like me with cancer, so close by in the same building, is very reassuring.
"As a patient who is currently benefitting from a clinical trial, it gives me so much hope for the future that we have this pioneering work going on in the same space.”
Help us support pioneering treatments
The Royal Marsden changes the lives of countless people like Mandy every year. Thanks to your support, we can continue to make life-saving research breakthroughs and develop new and better treatments for cancer.
Find out more about ways you can support us today.