Angeline Stewart, 40, experienced a wave of unexpected tiredness accompanied by a sore throat, which initially felt odd, but she attributed it to being generally unwell.
However, one day when she returned home from the town centre in May 2025, she was out of breath and more tired than usual, which was strange for her as she was physically active.
After repeated similar instances, the Thornaby resident made an appointment with her GP, who tested her blood for further medical investigations.
“I was shocked and worried to say the least”
Angeline was urgently advised to visit the University Hospital of North Tees the next day, where the medical teams performed a bone marrow biopsy – owing to her low platelets.
Following this, Angeline was shocked when she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). She was transferred to The James Cook University Hospital for further treatment.
According to Blood Cancer UK, blood cancer may be seen as a group of rarer conditions (leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and others) rather than a type of cancer in its own right, for which there is less awareness of symptoms among the public.
She said: “From getting bloods done to diagnosis, everything happened so quickly, my partner and I received so much information, it was all a bit of a whirlwind, and I don’t think it all quite sunk in.
“But one of my first questions was how do we treat this and when do we get started? I was and still am determined to fight and do what was needed to give me the best chance of beating the cancer.”
Following months of chemotherapy, her cancer has been in remission, which means the signs and symptoms of AML have been decreasing.
Although she has been on sick leave for the past five months, she has been determined to beat the cancer.
She added: “I cannot fault the care I have received from the team at The James Cook University Hospital and University Hospital of North Tees – from consultants, doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants have been fantastic.
The treatment plan was put in place and explained to me within a few weeks and arrangements were put in place for me to start my first round of chemotherapy. I spent five weeks on Ward 33 for my first round and recovery, so I got to know the team well – they are friendly and attentive.”
Acute leukaemia clinical nurse specialist Joanne Warren said: “We would like to thank Angeline for sharing her inspirational journey, it takes some huge courage to do this, and we are grateful for helping us raise awareness about blood cancers.”
Angeline is now advising everyone, regardless of their age, to never ignore any symptoms and to always trust their instincts. Moreover, she recommends avoiding or limiting the use of the internet for medical advice and always trusting medical professionals.
“Remaining positive whilst still acknowledging the difficult journey ahead put me in a good headspace to tackle treatment.
“But I certainly would not put down feeling ill again as a minor illness again and will get them checked,” added Angeline.