Andy Young, a 62-year-old retired financial controller, discovered he had cancer when he developed an aversion to his own home-brewed beer. Young, who had a history of good health and rarely took sick days, began feeling unwell with mild flu-like symptoms around the Christmas holidays. Initially, he dismissed these as a minor ailment that would pass.
However, the change in his palate, particularly his loss of enjoyment for beer, prompted him to seek medical attention in January. After initial blood tests revealed his kidneys were not functioning properly, further investigations in March confirmed a diagnosis of myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Doctors informed him that the condition is treatable but not curable.
Myeloma UK states that symptoms of the cancer can include fatigue, recurrent infections, and kidney damage. The charity also notes that despite being the third most common blood cancer, it can be difficult to detect as its symptoms are often mistaken for signs of aging or minor health issues.
Young underwent several weeks of chemotherapy and is now showing signs of improvement. He is preparing for a stem cell transplant scheduled for October, with the hope of achieving remission. He expressed optimism, noting that his ability to enjoy beer again suggests the chemotherapy is working and his kidney function is improving.
Reflecting on his diagnosis, Young recalled passing a health check-up with excellent results just two years prior. He described the experience of not enjoying his beer as strange, given his hobby of brewing. His general practitioner referred him for blood tests, which ultimately led to the discovery of his kidney issues. Subsequent tests, including ultrasounds and a bone marrow biopsy, confirmed the presence of myeloma.
"The consultant came in to break the news and said, 'You've got myeloma, it's a blood cancer, it's treatable but not curable. Any questions?' It was a huge shock and then I thought: 'How do I tell my loved ones?'" Young stated. He also mentioned that it took nearly three months to receive the final diagnosis, during which time he believed he was dealing with a kidney problem.
Young advises others to seek medical attention if they experience persistent or unusual changes in their health. "If something doesn't feel right, or something changes, then it probably isn't right. Get it checked," he urged.