'my Cancer Was Dismissed As A Pulled Muscle'

A erstwhile footballer has told really he was successful "complete shock" aft being diagnosed pinch humor crab - aft first believing nan symptom was from a pulled muscle.

Mel Tottoh was diagnosed pinch myeloma aft months of rib and backmost pain.

The father-of-three, from Freckleton successful Lancashire, erstwhile to nan GP aft emotion a "searing pain" that made him consciousness for illustration he had surgery a rib erstwhile taking a plaything connected nan play people successful 2021.

"When I was diagnosed, I had holey bones successful my ribs, thighs, spine and skull," said nan 68-year-old, who played for Preston North End successful nan 1980s.

He said he had twinges successful his ribs and backmost for a twelvemonth and a half earlier his diagnosis, but initially put them down to playing a batch of golf.

When nan symptom sewage worse successful nan mediate of 2020, he consulted his GP who told him he had apt pulled a musculus and that nan twinges would benignant themselves out.

"It progressed complete months to being rather debilitating," he recalled.

"It sewage to a constituent wherever it started having a existent effect connected my life."

After humor tests he was diagnosed pinch myeloma successful August 2021.

"Being struck down pinch this was a complete shock," he said.

"My dada had died of crab and then, successful nan past 12 years, 2 of my brothers died of cancer. I thought it was nan end."

But nan squad astatine Blackpool Victoria Hospital "were amazing", he said.

Mr Tottoh had radiotherapy to dainty nan harm to his bones.

He past had chemotherapy, followed by a stem compartment transplant and has been successful remission since November 2022.

Throughout, nan support of family and friends has been invaluable, he said.

"It takes a mini service to get you done this ordeal," said Mr Tottoh, who is still connected attraction curen to support his crab astatine bay for arsenic agelong arsenic possible.

"The astir important point now is having group successful your corner, group who care, group who assistance you up erstwhile you're down.

"My family and closest friends person done that."

Nearly 5 years connected from his diagnosis, Mr Tottoh is now wished to make memories pinch his family and his grandson Theo, nine.

"My mindset is really positive," he said.

"I will spot my grandson spell to assemblage and get joined - if that's what he wants to do. I will spot my kids fulfil their dreams.

"Right now, I'm successful an astonishing spot and I'm connected nan way to surviving pinch myeloma for a very agelong time."

He said if anyone feels unsure astir immoderate symptoms they whitethorn have, they should sojourn nan doctor.

"Nobody knows your assemblage amended than you, truthful ain it," he said.

• Myeloma is an incurable humor crab that occurs successful nan bony marrow
• Despite being nan 3rd astir communal type of humor cancer, myeloma is difficult to observe arsenic symptoms are often linked to wide ageing aliases insignificant conditions
• While it is incurable, myeloma is treatable successful nan mostly of cases
• Treatment tin lead to periods of remission but nan crab will inevitably travel back

Source Myeloma UK