Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Elizabeth - Interview 24

Elizabeth was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia in 1999 and was one of the first people in the UK to receive Glivec. She then developed acute myeloid leukaemia, which was treated with FLAG-Ida then a stem cell transplant. She is in remission.

  • Background

    Elizabeth is a retired NHS administrator. She is married with two adult children. Ethnic background: half French Mauritian, half White British.

  • Age at interview 56
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Jean - Interview 23

    Jean was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia after noticing swollen glands in her neck. After watching and waiting for a year she became tired and severely anaemic. She has since had regular blood transfusions and is taking chemotherapy tablets.

  • Background

    Jean is a retired tea lady. She is widowed with two adult children. Ethnic background: White English.

  • Age at interview 71
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Michael - Interview 22

    Michael was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia after a routine blood test. After a period of watch and wait he had various chemotherapies and antibodies and an allogenic stem cell transplant. He nearly died from pneumonia before his transplant.

  • Background

    Michael is a semi-retired university lecturer. He is married with 3 children aged 15, 17 and 25. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 60
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Jim - Interview 21

    Jim was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after feeling tired on exertion. He spent 35 days in hospital having intensive chemotherapy followed by outpatient chemotherapy. He is in remission but his treatment will continue for another 2.5 years.

  • Background

    Jim is a video game designer. He is cohabiting with his partner and has no children. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 24
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Michael / 'Ace' - Interview 20

    Ace' was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia on a routine blood test while waiting for a hip replacement but recognises with hindsight that he had lost weight. He is having arsenic-based chemotherapy in a clinical trial, which has achieved remission.

  • Background

    Ace’ is a retired musician. He is divorced with no children. Ethnic background: Black Irish/American.

  • Age at interview 64
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Beverley - Interview 19

    Beverley was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia after complaining of tiredness and joint pains. She has been on 'watch and wait' for seven years but her symptoms are getting worse and she expects to start treatment soon.

  • Background

    Beverley is a retired medical secretary. She is married with three adult children. Ethnic background: White European.

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Marie - Interview 18

    Marie was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia after pains in her bones and groin. After two years of watch and wait she had several courses of oral chemotherapy with remissions in between. She is currently well but expects further treatment. Marie was also interviewed for the clinical trials section of this site.

  • Background

    Marie is a housewife. She is married with two adult children. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 69
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Jane - Interview 17

    Jane was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia after experiencing tiredness that interfered with her ability to work, forcing her to retire. Jane has been watching and waiting for four years but expects to have treatment soon.

  • Background

    Jane is a retired chemistry teacher and biological scientist. She is married with one adult child. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 55
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Michael - Interview 16

    Michael was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia after scratches on his hands acquired through gardening did not heal. He was treated with two cycles of chemotherapy and an allogenic reduced intensity bone marrow transplant. He is in remission.

  • Background

    Michael is a retired charity director. He is married with one adult child. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 61
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Luke - Interview 15

    Luke was diagnosed with hairy cell leukaemia after feeling very tired. A six week course of intravenous pentostatin as an outpatient put him into remission. Five years on he still gets tired and has other health problems.

  • Background

    Luke is a retired journalist with four children.

  • Age at interview 64
  • Sex/Gender Male