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READ MORE: Woman Suffering from Muscle Pain Receives Incurable Cancer Diagnosis
The grieving stepdaughter of a ‘fit and healthy’ man who passed away due to a lethal condition
cancer
Within just two weeks of being dismissed by doctors, she has encouraged GPs to pay closer attention to less obvious signs and symptoms.
Ronnie Haston, aged 68, passed away suddenly in April 2024, merely two weeks following his diagnosis with blood cancer.
myeloma.
It was merely two weeks prior to his diagnosis when he started experiencing poor health, grappling with issues like constipation, muscle weakness, and severe exhaustion.
“He simply seemed off,” stated his daughter Beth Hunt, a 42-year-old nurse hailing from East Calder.
He went to the GP seeking assistance for his symptoms, only to be prescribed laxatives for constipation and advised to await a blood test in two weeks’ time.
However, his condition deteriorated rapidly, and his spouse Anne hurriedly took him to the emergency department for immediate medical attention.
At the medical facility, examinations revealed that his kidney functionality had dropped to merely 14 percent and he was experiencing very elevated calcium levels—both indicators suggesting severe hematological issues.
He was ultimately diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a severe form of blood cancer that stems from
the bone marrow, which produces blood cells.
If detected in the initial phases, before the illness spreads throughout the body, approximately 80 percent of patients can expect to survive for at least half a decade.
However, at subsequent stages, this figure decreases to approximately 40 percent.
“He was in good shape and didn’t have any preexisting medical issues. His diagnosis came as a total surprise to everyone,” Ms Hunt stated.
The doctors informed the family that they have a comprehensive treatment strategy in place, and Mr. Haston will begin chemotherapy soon. He also shows promise as a suitable candidate for a stem cell transplant.
However, after undergoing two cycles of chemotherapy, he contracted severe pneumonia that ultimately led to multiple organ failure.
Within two days of falling sick with the lung ailment, he passed away.
Shortly before he passed away, Mr. Hunt was in discussions with his wife about their upcoming retirement.
He wasn’t able to savor even a single day of retirement alongside your mom or experience any of the future plans they had made together.
“If Ronnie had not been so ill by the time he reached the hospital, he might have stood a better chance of fighting off his condition,” stated Ms Hunt.
The symptoms of the condition—such as back pain, fractures, tiredness, and recurrent infections—are frequently overlooked and attributed merely to normal aging processes or slight ailments and injuries.
Constipation is an uncommon symptom that arises due to excessive calcium accumulation in the bloodstream, which is induced by the cancer.
Ms. Hunt added: “It’s not individuals’ responsibility; it’s the system’s failure. There was a series of mistakes and long delays. We repeatedly stressed, ‘He requires a blood test,’ yet he had to wait two weeks to get one.”
‘Given today’s standards, how can this be considered acceptable? When someone is not feeling well, they require immediate blood tests. Even within a hospital setting, interventions often come too late. What matters most to me is improving education for general practitioners.’
To honor her stepfather, mother-of-two Beth has begun an initiative.
JustGiving
The page led me to decide on running the Edinburgh Marathon with the aim of raising funds for Myeloma UK.
Approximately 6,000 new instances of myeloma occur annually in the UK, while over 35,000 such cases are reported each year in the United States.
This happens because of alterations in immune system cells known as plasma cells, which multiply rapidly and lead to numerous issues.
It’s commonly referred to as multiple myeloma due to its presence in various locations—wherever bone marrow exists.
Although chemotherapy can lessen the quantity of myeloma cells, physicians have not yet managed to eliminate them entirely.
Regarding her approaching marathon challenge, Ms. Hunt stated, “I am confident I can manage at least half of it, but I will likely need to exert extra effort for the final six miles.”
I usually go running at night when my husband is around and the children are asleep. While jogging, I often think about Ronnie and my mom—the past year without him has been extremely difficult for her.
If she can manage to start her day without him and just move one foot ahead of the other, then I can also try to progress gradually.
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