Sharon's story

When Sharon broke a rib in June 1999, she never imagined it would lead to an incurable cancer diagnosis. Despite doctors initially dismissing her concerns, Sharon's persistence in seeking answers led to a life-changing diagnosis of multiple myeloma, which was caught just in time. 

Although multiple myeloma is an incurable type of blood cancer, it is highly treatable with multiple treatment options. Since her diagnosis, Sharon, now 64, has endured over two decades of chemotherapy treatment and multiple relapses, each bringing challenging side effects and taking a significant physical toll.

Today, however, Sharon's story has taken a remarkable turn. Thanks to being treated with cutting-edge bispecific therapy Teclistamab under the expert care of Dr Premini Mahendra, consultant haemato-oncologist at The Harborne Hospital, Sharon is experiencing her longest remission in 25 years and what she describes as 'the best quality of life I've had in decades'.

Her experience demonstrates how revolutionary new treatments are transforming outcomes for myeloma patients, offering renewed hope even after years of challenging therapies.

An unexpected diagnosis 

Getting her initial diagnosis back in 1999 proved frustratingly difficult for Sharon. "I had an unexplained broken rib, I felt really ill, I had chronic fatigue, burning aching bones, and I couldn't catch my breath," Sharon recalls. "But the doctors kept sending me away. I was the wrong gender, wrong age for myeloma. Cancer wasn’t even considered for me."

Despite being repeatedly told there was nothing wrong, Sharon pushed for a diagnosis. "I was only 39 years old. I knew I shouldn’t be feeling like this, falling asleep on the sofa every night, feeling unable to get through the day. I had a busy life, I was a mom, I had a demanding job in retail and was on my feet a lot, but that didn’t justify the level of fatigue to me.” 

Sharon’s persistence in demanding answers ended up saving her life. After seeing numerous specialists, Sharon convinced a chest specialist to investigate further. I said “I'm not moving till you tell me what is wrong. I cannot function”, Sharon recalls. A bone density scan revealed a shadow on her skull, and a subsequent biopsy confirmed her diagnosis. 

"The doctor called with the results and said, 'Come to hospital now. We need to begin treatment immediately. If you don't, you've got less than weeks to live.’ It was obviously devastating news, and I was scared, but at the same time it was a relief to finally have a diagnosis.”

Groundbreaking treatment at The Harborne Hospital

This diagnosis has led to years of treatment including several types of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, and more recently immunotherapies. But when she relapsed again, Sharon was given the opportunity to receive bispecific antibody treatment at The Harborne Hospital. 

Dr Mahendra says, "It's a really exciting time. Advancements in treatment and new breakthrough therapies continue to develop at pace. Not only do we have more treatment options than ever before, but these new therapies are significantly improving periods of remission, with far fewer unpleasant side effects."

She continues, "The latest innovation in myeloma treatment are bispecific antibodies. This groundbreaking group of immunotherapy treatments harness a person's own immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. The treatment works like a bridge, connecting the patient's own immune cells (T-cells) directly to the myeloma cancer cells. This brings the T-cells into direct contact with the cancer, activating them to destroy it. Because of this very targeted approach, there is little to no impact on healthy cells."

For Sharon, the results have been truly remarkable, “The newer treatments, the immunotherapies I’ve had more recently, are a lot less harsh. And the one that I'm on now, the Bispecific, has far less side effects, much less time spent feeling ill. I’ve been in remission for 18 months so far", Sharon explains. 

While Teclistamab has dramatically improved Sharon's quality of life, she remains realistic about its challenges. "The only significant side effect I’ve experienced is with my immune system - I'm very susceptible to infection so have to be careful. Most recently I’ve had shingles and a pseudomonas chest infection, but the team have been great in helping me manage this, and I’m really pleased to be in remission.”

Overcoming personal challenges 

Beyond her own health challenges, Sharon has faced heartbreaking personal losses. Two and a half years ago, her husband Mark was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. "My husband was my rock; he was a fabulous husband.” And the challenges for Sharon at one point seemed relentless. "My daughter had thyroid cancer five years ago. My son in laws mom passed away from breast cancer before my husband was diagnosed.”

Despite these setbacks, Sharon's strength and positivity have shone through. "I never used to think when I was young that I was strong," she admits. "But over the years and especially dealing with this illness, I feel like a really strong woman. This illness becomes an intrinsic part of your life, but that doesn't mean you can't live well with it. As soon as I started feeling better from my treatments, I would always say to my husband, 'Oh, what shall we do today then?', and I think he admired that about me, that get up and go.”

The importance of partnership

Sharon and Dr Premini Mahendra have a unique and trusting relationship. Dr Mahendra has been involved in Sharon’s care for 25 years, having performed her original stem cell transplant. “I like Prem because she's honest and it’s a partnership," Sharon says. "With Prem, it's not 'me the doctor, you the patient.' It's 'we are in this together’ - which I like."

This partnership approach extends to practical decision-making about Sharon's daily life. When friends invited her to Cyprus, Dr Mahendra provided an honest risk assessment rather than simply saying ‘don’t go’. "She said, 'I can't tell you not to go, but I need you to know this,' and she did the statistics," Sharon says. "I thought there was a little bit too much risk at that particular time. But I felt empowered to come to my own decision.

So, I'm not going abroad, but I am going to Salcombe in a few days' time to get some nice fresh air. Prem's given me a rescue pack of antibiotics just in case, because I've had this for so long, I'll know when my body needs help.” 

Sharon has also become a passionate advocate for better diagnostic practices. Dr Mahendra and Sharon have even visited local GP practices together to talk about myeloma and her experience. To help raise awareness in the hope that other people can get a faster diagnosis in the future. 

Looking to the future

As Sharon continues her treatment at The Harborne Hospital, she remains optimistic about what lies ahead. "Prems told me there is something else that I could try next, should I relapse again" she says. "I have 100% faith in Prem.”

"Because of my experience, I tell people to live their life to the full. My friends feel guilty when they say they're traveling, and I can't join them. I say, 'No. Do it. Do it.' I tell my daughter the same thing: 'Anything you want to do, just go. Enjoy yourself.'

You always think it's going to be someone else, but cancer doesn't discriminate. People were shocked when I was diagnosed because I was young and fit - at the best part of my life physically and mentally. So, my message to others is don't wait to live your life, do it now if you can.” 

Sharon's remarkable experience demonstrates that even after decades of living with myeloma, groundbreaking treatments can offer dramatic improvements in quality of life. With access to cutting-edge therapies like Teclistamab at The Harborne Hospital, there’s continuing hope for people living with myeloma.

Learn more about cancer treatment and care at The Harborne Hospital