TWO Somerset women have spoken of the devastation they have experienced from the disease to mark World Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) Day (Friday, April 21).

Sue De Boehmler lost her husband Stan AML and two other leukaemias.

Primary school headteacher Lisa Thompson is in remission after four gruelling courses of chemotherapy.

Blood cancer charity Leukaemia UK is raising awareness of AML signs and symptoms, which claims more than 2,600 lives each year in the UK.

AML is a blood cancer that can affect anyone, although it is most common in the over-60s.

‘Acute’ indicates it may progress quickly and usually requires immediate treatment.

Common symptoms include fatigue, bruising or bleeding and repeated infections. Other symptoms may include feeling weak or breathless, fever or night sweats, and bone or joint pain.

The overall five-year survival rate for leukaemia has increased from 13 per cent to around 50 per cent over the past 40 years - but the rate for AML remains at just 15.3 per cent, despite being the second most common type of leukaemia.

Leukaemia UK is calling on people to help fund more desperately needed research.

The charity's chief executive Fiona Hazell said: “Whilst survival rates in AML are still nowhere near where they should be and treating this disease remains difficult, at Leukaemia UK we know we can help change this as research has the power to one day stop leukaemia devastating lives.”

Leukaemia UK is investing in life-changing research into kinder, more effective treatments for AML and other blood cancers.

Leukaemia UK funded researcher Dr Konstantinos Tzelepis is advancing progress towards a possible new treatment for AML.

Dr Tzelepis and his team discovered a new drug that targets a key protein involved in AML growth and survival.

While research continues, Leukaemia UK urges people to remain alert to the potential signs and symptoms of AML and to see their GP if they suspect something is wrong.

CASE STUDY ONE.

Returning to his birthplace of Trinidad for a family wedding in 2015 was a joyful occasion for Stan De Boehmler.

He had met his wife Sue there in 1966, but the trip was marked by some strange heart fluttering symptoms for Stan, and when he returned home he made a doctor’s appointment.

“A blood test was taken which revealed a high white cell count,” said Sue, 77.

“I’m not a person to sit back and wait so I immediately rang BUPA. We arranged an appointment at Dorchester Hospital.

"There is a history of leukaemia in Stan’s family, so l was not taking any chances.”

Sadly, Stan was diagnosed with AML and two other types of leukaemia – Lymphatic Leukaemia and Mast Cell Leukaemia.

He was transferred to King’s College, London. He be seen at Dorchester and at Kings College every six weeks.

He was put on a cocktail of drugs and continued to do well to the end of 2016.

Then in January 2017 Stan was admitted to King’s College Hospital for a prolonged course of chemotherapy. There was hope he would be able to have a stem cell transplant and a donor was found.

But Stan’s health deteriorated and it was decided he was too weak to withstand the rigours of a transplant.

Sue and Stan returned home. He was put on Midostaurin and had regular blood and platelet transfusions.

But Stan decided to stop all treatment and spend his last 10 days at home with his family.

Sue said: "We had wonderful help from St Margaret’s Hospice and the nurses from Bluebird.

“My sisters stayed by our sides until the end.

"Stan died on October 16 at the age of 70, at home where he wanted to be.

"Hurricane Irma was raging around the Caribbean at the time and we said ‘the winds have come to take you home’.”

Five years later, Sue travelled to Trinidad and scattered Stan’s ashes into the sea.

CASE STUDY TWO.

Primary school headteacher Lisa Thompson blamed her tiredness on work.

But in July 2022, shortly after turning 50, she felt so unwell her husband took her to A&E.

“My symptoms included a bloodshot eye, sores and scabs all over my scalp that wouldn’t clear up, pain in my right arm and shoulder, blood in my urine and a strange infection in the my left middle finger that made it swell and seemed to be spreading down into my hand,” said Lisa.

“I had such overwhelming tiredness sometimes if I knelt or squatted I couldn’t get up.

"I felt worse and worse and eventually I called in sick to work as I didn’t feel safe to drive. I tried to get to sleep, but shortly after midnight I gave up and went into A&E.”

Blood tests showed very low levels and Lisa was admitted to hospital for a blood transfusion.

She was transferred to Musgrove Park Hospital to the haematology ward, where she was diagnosed with AML.

“Treatment started that day to try and get the various infections in my body under control so they could begin chemotherapy and I had blood transfusions and platelets,” said Lisa.

“I also had a bone marrow check to help with full diagnosis. My chemo began within a week.

"Over the course of seven months I received four courses of chemotherapy which were effective but incredibly gruelling. I went into remission after the second course."

Lisa added: "Even with a wonderful, loving family leukaemia is a very lonely illness.

"You’re on your own for hours, you have to be in an isolated room for the majority of time as you are so susceptible to illness and it goes on forever – until one day it doesn’t and your treatment is complete.”

She remains in remission, her hair is re-growing and she has regular bone marrow checks and blood tests. She hopes to return to work soon, and is planning a family holiday.