Adrian Sudbury has been a reporter for both the Huddersfield Express and Chronicle Series and the Huddersfield Examiner. In November 2006 the 25-year-old was promoted to digital journalist, effectively editing the new-look Examiner website.
Just two days into his new role he became seriously ill and called in sick. A week later he drove himself to A&E and was eventually diagnosed with leukaemia.
It was then identified that he actually has two distinct types of the disease running at the same time. According to the medical literature he is the only person in the world to have this condition. As such, it has not been possible to offer Adrian a prognosis.
Here he shares his experiences of the disease and his treatment.I must begin this post with some more sad news.
My much loved N-reg Fiat Punto has died. I had come to think of it as the Herbie of the Leukaemia world.
Time of death 3pm Tuesday March 31 2008.
Location: M1 northbound just short of Wooley Edge services between junctions 38 and 39.
RIP little guy.
Of course my old car giving up the ghost wouldn't normally feature in my leukaemia blog but it's such a strange story I thought I had to include it.
My friends and family all knew the Punto well.
It had done the best part of 114,000 miles carrying me and many others all over the country.
Fans of this blog will recall me 'riding dirty' in my Punto on my road trip in November.
Despite much love for these wheels I'd been planning to get a new car for ages. I managed to save a bit of money last year and, along with some cash from the awards, I bought a 2005 Vauxhall Vectra.
The deal was done last week and the Punto was to be part exchanged - basically £75 for scrap.
So yesterday I finished my work for the Examiner and headed up the M1 to Dewsbury. About five miles into the journey I noticed the car was losing power.
I shifted down into fourth gear and managed to maintain a good 60mph.
Then smoke started to appear from the exhaust and I knew it was terminal.
My speed dropped again so I slammed it into third.
The engine screamed - so I turned the radio up. That didn't help. I was only about 15 miles away so if I could just keep going...
By this time I was doing 40mph and so much smoke was pouring out the rear that I was becoming a serious hazard.
Lorries were overtaking me but the final straw was one when a caravan sped by.
I spluttered onto the hard shoulder, opened the bonnet, only to be greeted by a huge amount of steam.
It was like something from a cartoon.
When it was safe I peered in again and engine oil was splattered everywhere. The head gasket had gone and there was no way it could have been fixed without incurring a huge bill.
It was almost like the Punto knew it was its last trip.
Anyway, I then had to get a breakdown crew to tow me to the garage in order to complete the part exchange.
For someone who has not had the best of luck recently I have to say that was incredible. The car was brilliant for pottering around Sheffield and had really served me well.
It will never be forgotten.
Anyway my new car is boss. It's so good being able to drive above 60mph and not be genuinely scared of dying in a horrific metal mangle.
It looks cool too and its got a CD player.
Anyway, enough of that.
My steroid dose is now down to 5mg a day (remember it was 165mg to begin with).
That's the sort of dose normal people are given if they have inflammation problems.
I've been at that dose for over a week now and am currently experiencing what I hope is a flare.
The skin on my body is fine but as you can see here my face is really red.
It's also still massive - why? Deflate, damn it! Come on!
Last night my stomach was unwell and I had the runs too. This was really worring because it could mean the graft versus host disease has spread to the stomach and gut.
Thankfully today it seems better so I'm less concerned.
My shins are quite itchy too.
There has been a flare at every steroid dose since 10mg and my skin has always come back under control.
I just hope it is the same this time.
On another note I found out today I didn't get that job.
If I was the editor it was exactly the same decision I would have made. I'm just unable to commit to the office hours.
I would have loved the job but this morning when I woke up shattered, bricking it and with a face hotter than my ex-Punto's head gasket, the last thing I would have wanted to do is drive to some conference or do a full day's work in an office environment.
Comments (12)
hey adrian, it's been really helpful reading your blog. i can't believe the things you have had to go through. i never even knew graft versus host could come up at any time after, i thought it would be an immediate thing and then thats it, if u don't get it straight away then you wont.
it's been an inspiration. my boyfriend is actually having a stem cell transplant tomorrow april 2nd, in barts, london. things have been difficult watching him go from bubbly and lively last week to sleepy and miserable within such a short amount of time. it's hard to remain positive but i have to for his sake really.
he is 22 and this is the 2nd time he has had ALL, once before when he was 16. i have found it difficult to read your blogs at times thinking "oh my god, is this going to happen to my ross?" but i guess it is always better to be prepared. i have no idea what the future has in store and i do worry that i'm not strong enough. but i gota be really, not cos i 'have to be' and someone has told me to, but because love is an amazing thing that you'd do anything for. i wish you and poppy well with the wedding plans. i'll be back soon to let you know how things go for my boyfriend. i'l be up the hospital tomorro for the last TBI and then in go his brother's stem cells. it's meant to be a perfect match so fingers and toes crossed.
lots of love,
hayley xxxx
Posted by Hayley Gardiner | April 1, 2008 11:36 PM
Posted on April 1, 2008 23:36
hi adrian ,
just wanted to say a quick hello coz i havent seen you for ages , working nights with the other helen this week , its just like old times except we havent got you here to keep us company :-(
hope you are keeping ya chin up matey , sorry to hear about your car .
hope to see ya soon ( but maybe in a pub instead of the hotel hallamshire )
lots of love 'n' hugs
super h xx
Posted by helen burgan | April 2, 2008 12:16 AM
Posted on April 2, 2008 00:16
Ahh the Punto - my favourite story is when the fuel line broke and petrol was leaking into the carpets of said Spirito.
Sudders said "something's not right about this" and after driving with the chemically stench (the car not Sudders) for a month, he eventually went to a mechanic and was told he couldn't drive it or the chances were he would go up like Buncefield.
There aint no 5mg a day to sort that one out!
p.s I have a strange sensation of seeing myself pictured and talked about.
I feel like I have been outed (or as I prefer, been caught roasting with an unnamed Premiership footballer - not Crouchy though).
This once mighty bastion of faulty immune system journalism is now down there with the gutter press - I would call for the Editor's head, but there is little chance I could carry it without at least a wheelbarrow and/or a large dustbin lorry.
Posted by andrew jackson | April 2, 2008 7:11 AM
Posted on April 2, 2008 07:11
Dude the Punto pic is sad! I will be so gutted when my Micra finally gives out. The things that car has seen, lol.
Posted by Katie Campling | April 4, 2008 12:19 PM
Posted on April 4, 2008 12:19
Hey Adrian,
I don't see any red on your face, I only see the expression saying - what the f**k are you looking at!? hehe
Posted by Elin | April 8, 2008 7:39 AM
Posted on April 8, 2008 07:39
Hi Adrian! I'm glad you decided to keep on your journey on this world.Anyway , nobody is allowed to live earth without having taste a glass of Brunello di Montalcino!!!!!!!! A very big hug !!!
p.s.if you'll ever feel so blue again , just take a listen to the Led Zeppelin!!!!CIAOOOOO!!!
Posted by Anonymous | April 19, 2008 1:27 PM
Posted on April 19, 2008 13:27
Hello my friends :)
;)
Posted by Nedefeelt | April 24, 2008 12:34 PM
Posted on April 24, 2008 12:34
Hello Adrian
I read your article in the Daily Mail today and have been thinking about you. Your illness is such a blow and you must wonder "why me?". My husband was diagnosed with pretty nasty bowel and and secondary cancer in the liver in Sept/Oct of last year and after two big ops is now approaching the end of his chemo, hoping that the dreaded remaining cancer cells have been zapped. He also is often so knackered.
You mention people saying about being knocked down by a bus and we have also heard that so many times! Guess People are just trying to say the right thing.
So sorry about your poor Fiat, he did look poorly, bless.
Please stay strong, and know that people care.
Jayne
Posted by Jayne Luce | April 29, 2008 9:22 PM
Posted on April 29, 2008 21:22
People do care Adrian,stay strong.
Posted by Jean | April 29, 2008 9:52 PM
Posted on April 29, 2008 21:52
Dear Adrian,
Just wanted to say have just been reading your article in the Daily Mail, made me laugh and cry at the same time, only other writer that has had that effect on me is Jane Austen. Hope you are feeling OK today. Take care.
Posted by Kathryn Johnson | April 30, 2008 2:16 PM
Posted on April 30, 2008 14:16
Hi Adrian,
I really enjoyed reading your article in the Daily Mail. So I've come on your blog to read some more. I hope your not feeling too bad today, the weather isn't putting a smile on anyone's face at the moment. All the best.
Posted by Lynne Ridgley | April 30, 2008 8:37 PM
Posted on April 30, 2008 20:37
One afternoon, I was in the backyard hanging the laundry when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home. But when I walked into the house, he followed me, sauntered down the hall and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back. He resumed his position in the hallway and slept for an hour.
This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap. "
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with ten children - he's trying to catch up on his sleep."
I cried from laughter
Sorry, if not left a message on Rules.
Posted by Melissik | May 2, 2008 3:22 PM
Posted on May 2, 2008 15:22