A grandad is gearing up for his first proper family Christmas in two years after undergoing crucial cancer surgery. Graham Casey from Bearsden was diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer known as myeloma at the age of 63 in October 2022.
His ordeal began when he experienced a sharp pain in his back after lifting furniture and, presuming it was a muscle strain, he expected it to subside. However while on holiday in Spain, Graham’s discomfort grew so severe he could hardly move or sleep.
Despite an X-ray in a Spanish hospital showing nothing unusual, his pains persisted upon returning to Scotland. His local GP referred him to orthopaedic specialists, who assumed it was muscle pain and advised regular use of pain relief, reports Glasgow Live.
But after falling gravely ill with Covid, a stay in intensive care revealed through blood tests he had cancer. Reflecting on the diagnosis, the retired businessman said: “When I heard the word ‘cancer’, it was a major shock. When they said it wasn’t curable the panic set in.
“The consultant who told me presumed that somebody had already told me that they suspected myeloma but no one had. My mind was racing with a million questions.
“That’s when they explained that there was no cure for myeloma but there were treatments. There was a spell in hospital where I looked at a photo of my grandsons and I thought for a second about all the things I might not get to see. It was upsetting.”
Unfortunately, his first round of chemotherapy failed to keep his cancer in check. He was switched to another treatment before receiving a life-saving stem cell transplant in August 2023.
He has been in remission ever since. The dad-of-two added: “My whole mindset changed. When all of a sudden you think your life might be shorter, you start thinking about your priorities and what matters.”
He recalled how his eldest grandson, Lucas, made a box filled with messages for him to read each day while in isolation in hospital after his stem cell transplant. “The first message was ‘We love you Grandad’,” he said.
“Every day I just looked forward to reading his message. Some were about football. He was an absolute angel.”
While Graham is doing well, coping with uncomfortable and unpredictable side effects has been an adjustment. He said: “I don’t have quite as much energy as I once did and I get very bad cramps in my legs, feet and arms, usually at night.
“It just strikes me when I lie in bed and it’s been disrupting my sleep but I’ve learned to live with it. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t think negatively – my first thought is always positive.
“There’s no point worrying about something I can’t do anything about. I just try to focus on my grandchildren and get on with my life in the best way that I can.
“I saw my son get married in 2023 and in September I saw my daughter get married. I have three grandchildren and for all of that I’m very thankful. I don’t feel sorry for myself, or think, ‘Why me? Why did I get this?’.”
This Christmas will herald a much-needed return to normality for Graham, who was forced to socially distance from his grandsons Lucas, 11, and Theo, eight, last year. And it promises to be extra special this year, with the recent arrival of four-month-old granddaughter Ailsa.
Graham, now 65, said: “Last year had to be a bit different because of the risk of infection, particularly with my two grandsons. We had to watch them opening their presents from a different room.
“The boys and I are quite close and we were desperate to have a cuddle. We didn’t have a proper meal – it wasn’t the same. To be able to be well enough to spend Christmas with my three grandchildren this year is very special.”
Myeloma is a cancer found in bone marrow and currently over 24,000 individuals in the UK are living with it. Characterised by its relapsing-remitting nature, patients often see periods of remission before the disease’s inevitable return.
Despite being the third most prevalent type of blood cancer, myeloma can be tricky to diagnose due to symptoms such as back pain, brittle bones, fatigue and frequent infections, which can be mistaken for signs of aging or less serious conditions.
Sarah Secombes, Head of Public Fundraising at the blood cancer charity Myeloma UK, emphasised the difference made by public support. She said: “Graham’s story shows how important it is for Myeloma UK to fund vital research into myeloma and to keep fighting for access to new life-changing treatments. We wouldn’t be able to do any of this without people’s generous donations.
“Our goal is to ensure that everyone affected by myeloma gets to live a full life like Graham, to bring them hope of a better future and give them a chance to make more joyful memories with loved ones. We’re working hard every day to make this happen.”
Support Myeloma UK’s efforts this festive season by contributing to their Christmas Appeal.
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