Acute Myeloid Leukaemia is one of the most aggressive and neglected cancers of the modern-day - Action AML will not allow this cancer to fall under the radar
The Harrowing Story of Thomas Douglas Daniels
Described as a truly unique individual by anyone who met him, Doug, as he was commonly known, lived a simple, but fulfilling life. A father of two, Doug was content exploring his many curious fascinations and surrounding himself with his wide friendship network and close family.
Aged 67 and just several months after celebrating his son's marriage, Doug was hit unexpectedly with severe pain at the bottom of his back, a pain which appeared to come and go in sync with his heart beat. Unable to subdue the pain and puzzled by the exact cause, he made an appointment at his local GP practice. Convinced the problem was muscular, the GP prescribed a series of strong pain killers which had little effect. But the pain remained and was now growing in intensity.
After weeks of getting nowhere and now crippled over by agonising pain with no firm diagnosis, the GP suggested Doug visited his local A&E department. As part of the routine assessment, Doug's blood was taken and analysed in the laboratory. As soon as the results were made available, the family was delivered some very harrowing news. A substantially high number of cancerous white blood cells had been detected in his blood and were spilling over from his riddled bone marrow. Action needed to be taken immediately, the next few hours were vital. An emergency ambulance was arranged to transfer Doug to one of the UK's regional specialist centres capable of handling this form of aggressive cancer. With a life expectancy of just days, Doug was admitted to intensive care to start upon a course of intensive chemotherapy without delay. The punishing side effects of the highly toxic treatment resulted in Doug deteriorating rapidly over the next few hours, requiring supportive oxygen as his lungs gave way to the drugs. After several days of battling the debilitating and life-threatening side effects of the archaic poisons he had ingested, the decision was made that treatment must be stopped.
Despite not receiving further treatment, Doug required admittance to a specialised infection controlled ward to receive vital life-supporting blood products, without which he would not survive. The chemotherapy drugs had completed obliterated his bone marrow, acquiring just a single infection could lead to instant death. He remained bed-bound, progressively losing weight and becoming dangerously malnourished from the persistent toxicity that his body was still fighting. After two gruelling months, Doug was finally discharged. Too weak to sustain his own weight, Doug, a once healthy and energetic 67 year old, left the hospital in a wheelchair; given just months to live.
Despite the challenges Doug endured both mentally and physically, he was incredibly fortunate. If, like is the case for so many patients, he hadn't experienced the severe back pain which led him to attend A&E, his cancer would not have been detected in time. Much of the symptoms of AML are largely non-specific, often resembling the flu. For many people, these symptoms go unnoticed until it is too late.
Against all odds, Doug's short treatment regimen was sufficient to keep his cancer at bay much longer than originally anticipated. He lived a healthy and fulfilled life for 22 months following his diagnosis, until his cancer returned aggressively in spring 2019. Doug can be seen above enjoying his 68th birthday celebrations onboard a canal barge, with the heat of the sun on his back, surrounded by his closest family and friends. Treasured memories of a kind and loving father and a dear friend. Memories that would not exist without the timely diagnosis he received.
Action AML is focused on improving outcomes in AML
Action AML was founded in memory of Thomas Douglas Daniels to help raise awareness of AML among the public and healthcare professionals to ensure all patients receive a timely diagnosis. Just 5 out of 100 patients with AML aged 65 and over will expect to live for 5 years or more following diagnosis. Many of these patients are not diagnosed in time or are not fit enough to withstand current toxic therapy, meaning that many patients will have just days or months to live. We can make a substantial difference to the outcomes of these patients by ensuring patients are diagnosed in the right timeframe and receive access wherever possible, to the latest advancements in therapy.
Together lets ensure all AML patients receive the RIGHT TREATMENT within the RIGHT TIMEFRAME to help save lives.