Myeloma - personal stories

David Spears

David Spears, grandfather of four, was diagnosed with myeloma in 2006 at the age of 50.

Myeloma is a blood cancer that develops in the bone marrow and often leads to severe bone damage and pain.

David, who is an ex-Royal Navy Diver, had been suffering with back pain for a long time, but did not expect to be told he had a blood cancer. “I had never even heard of myeloma before I was diagnosed, and was shocked to learn that I had cancer. The news was earth-shattering.”

Myeloma left David wheelchair bound after his spine suffered serious damage due to a build up of myeloma cells in his bone marrow.

David, who lives in Portchester, was initially treated at his local Portsmouth Hospital where he received intensive chemotherapy. “Even though the treatment was gruelling, I just kept telling myself that if those little ones with blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma can tolerate it, I can too. I also could not have coped without my dear wife Lesley, who spent every day in hospital by my side.”

In 2007 David was referred from Portsmouth Hospital to Southampton General Hospital to receive a life-saving bone marrow transplant.

After this, David agreed to enter a clinical trial testing DNA vaccines, a new treatment designed to fight off blood cancer cells after intensive treatment and prevent relapse. These DNA vaccines were pioneered by Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research scientists in Southampton.

Now aged 54, David is in remission. “I am so grateful for all the research to find better treatments for myeloma, without which I would not be here today.”

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