‘He showed me the image of my spine and it was a mess. He asked if I’d fallen over’
Matthew Padley with his two sons(Image: The Christie/Handout)
Matthew Padley didn’t think much of it when he started getting spasms in his back in September, 2022.
But after dismissing the pain for months, until January the following year, he finally learned the horrifying diagnosis that had been causing it.
Eight months after getting those first ‘twinges’, as he describes them, Matthew, was told he had an incurable blood cancer. It had caused so much damage to his spine and back that he had shrunk by two inches in height.
Now, he is raising awareness of myeloma, which affects more than 33,000 people a year in the UK.
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Matthew, from Hyde, was just 58 when he was diagnosed with myeloma.
At first, he dealt with his back pain with paracetamol and ibuprofen, expecting those twinges to sort themselves out eventually.
But instead of easing up, the pain just got worse.
By the time his cancer was caught, the disease had caused serious damage to his bones and his back was broken.
Eventually, in January 2023, he booked an appointment with the physiotherapist at his GP surgery. Worried about his symptoms, the physio referred Matthew for an x-ray.
“I went for the X-ray and the radiologist said my back was broken,” Matthew said. “He showed me the image of my spine and it was a mess. He asked if I’d fallen over.
“The only thing I could think of is that I was thrown off my seat on a bus in Australia back in 2020 and I came down with a thump.”
Matthew Padley and his wife Diane(Image: The Christie/Handout)
Matthew was told the damage was likely caused by early onset osteoporosis. But tests soon confirmed the cause was far more sinister: he was diagnosed with the incurable blood cancer myeloma in May 2023.
While it is incurable, myeloma is treatable in the majority of cases. Treatment can lead to periods of remission but the cancer will inevitably come back.
In the UK, around one in two people with myeloma have to wait more than five months before they get the right diagnosis.
Myeloma is especially hard to spot as the symptoms are often vague and dismissed as ageing or other minor conditions.
By the time many patients are diagnosed their cancer has often advanced and they require urgent treatment. This can significantly impact their chances of survival and quality of life, according to the major charity for the condition, Myeloma UK.
After getting his diagnosis, Matthew quickly received chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant.
“It came as a shock,” shared Matthew, who has been a Scout Leader for 30 years. “It took a while to get my head around it.
“To be told it’s incurable is hard. I have lost two inches in height because of the damage.”
Matthew has had to grapple with unexpected side effects and the ups and downs of intensive treatment.
Matthew’s first dose of chemo left him covered in hives and struggling to see properly. His blood pressure plummeted, and he had to be put on oxygen.
Matthew is still dealing with fatigue and was hospitalised with infections three times last winter. His back has healed to an extent, but the damage is irreversible.
Matthew has been a Scout leader for more than 30 years(Image: The Christie/Handout)
“Mentally, it puts a strain on you,” added Matthew, a draughtsman who creates technical drawings for electrical engineers.
“It’s been really hard on my wife, Diane, and my family. People forget how much it affects the people around you.”
Still, he stays positive. He said: “At least it’s treatable and I’ve responded to treatment as well as they could expect.
“I am eternally grateful to Diane and my family for their unwavering support throughout my treatment.”
More than two years on, the dad-of-two continues to defy the odds. Now in remission, he has now thanked staff for supporting him through the rollercoaster of treatment, and allowing him to lead a full life again.
He said: “You can’t just ignore myeloma sadly, but you can put it at the back of your mind. We’ve officially called March 12, 2024 my remission date and that’s what I focus on.
“That’s my mark saying, the myeloma had been put to sleep. It will rear its head at some point, but hopefully I can get many years with it before it comes back.”
The now-60-year-old is determined to live the rest of his life to the fullest(Image: The Christie/Handout)
“The Christie at Tameside Hospital are truly deserving of this award and I congratulate all their hard work,” added the 60-year-old, who has been under the care of the Christie at Tameside Hospital for the past year.
“The nursing staff and doctors are faultless – they just give you that level of reassurance. You need help coping with everything. Knowing that you’ve got a team with you, it really helps.
“What they do means a heck of a lot to people like me.”
For now, Matthew is determined to live life to the fullest, keep travelling, and make the most of the time he’s been given.
“Having something to look forward to is a big driver for me,” said Matthew, who over the years has been a big supporter of Myeloma UK, Macmillan and The Christie Charity.
“Whilst I was having my treatment, I took a leave of absence to keep myself safe, but I’m now back with a vengeance doing the volunteering that I enjoy.
“It felt like our wings were clipped in 2023 but now, as a couple, we can plan holidays again and go where we want when we want.
“I can’t do anything that will impact my back but we’ve been able to live as normal a life as possible. You can’t let myeloma define you.”
The Christie Cancer Centre team at Tameside Hospital have been awarded for their work(Image: The Christie/Handout)
The Christie Cancer Centre at Tameside Hospital has also be recognised wia national award for its commitment to patients living with incurable blood cancer, and getting them treatment closer to home.
Staff were presented yesterday (October 7) with the Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme Award in recognition of their outstanding care and dedication to people with myeloma, which claims the lives of 3,000 people in the UK each year.
Rhys Owens, Senior Clinical Practice Officer at Myeloma UK, said: “Myeloma is a challenging cancer which keeps coming back and can be difficult to cope with both physically and mentally, so patients really need a caring team in their corner.
“It’s very clear that staff at the Christie Cancer Centre go the extra mile every day to help patients navigate treatment and the reality of living with an incurable cancer.
“They provide invaluable support and are always on hand to signpost other services, lend an ear and offer advice to patients and their loved ones.
“Staff also work closely with the local Rapid Diagnostic Centre to make sure people receive the right tests promptly, get diagnosed with myeloma as early as possible and start treatment sooner.”