Jade's Story – Acute Promyelocytic Leukaemia (APL)

In April 2025, Jade noticed bruises appearing on her legs.

At first, she didn't think much of them. She couldn't remember knocking herself, but leukaemia was the last thing on her mind.

A few days later, she also felt sick and lost her appetite, but she didn't connect those symptoms with the bruising.

When she noticed her legs were covered in fresh bruises, she booked a GP appointment.

"I knew I hadn't done anything to cause them, but leukaemia never crossed my mind."

Blood tests were taken that morning and Jade returned to work as normal. Later that evening, everything changed.

The following morning, doctors told Jade they suspected acute promyelocytic leukaemia and that treatment needed to start straight away.

She was transferred by ambulance to St James's Hospital in Leeds, where she spent the next five weeks as an inpatient in protective isolation.#

"My diagnosis came completely out of the blue."

The diagnosis was later confirmed, and Jade's consultant explained that although APL is a serious form of leukaemia, treatment outcomes are often very positive if patients can get through the first few weeks safely.

"It was frightening to think that I might not survive beyond those first few weeks, but I knew I had to do whatever it took to get through it."

The first week passed in a blur.

Jade had a PICC line inserted, underwent a bone marrow biopsy, received blood and platelet transfusions, started multiple medications and began treatment with ATRA and ATO.

She was extremely weak and spent much of her time sleeping.

Throughout treatment she experienced severe nausea, sickness, dizziness, headaches, bone pain and neuropathy.

"My nausea became so severe that I needed a syringe driver to deliver anti-sickness medication continuously."

During her second week in hospital, Jade developed differentiation syndrome, a serious complication that can happen during APL treatment.

Thankfully, it was recognised quickly and treated successfully.

Later in her treatment, she also developed severe migraines. Further tests revealed they were being caused by increased pressure around her brain related to treatment. She underwent a lumbar puncture and started medication to help manage the condition.

As the weeks passed and Jade was eventually allowed home to continue treatment as an outpatient, she began to feel more hopeful about the future.

"Only once I was allowed home did I feel as though I had a good chance of surviving it."

Treatment continued for another eight months, with a combination of oral medication and hospital infusions.

Jade completed her final treatment on 30 January 2026.