"We have to listen to our bodies and act immediately when something doesn't feel right."

Hi I'm Lisa Hughes, I'm almost 51 and last October I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma which is an incurable blood cancer.

I was a Security Officer at Manchester Airport at my time of diagnosis.

I'd suffered chronic fatigue for years and was under Haematology for iron deficiency anaemia. Even after several iron infusions, my body just couldn't hold onto it and heavy periods were to blame, but they wasn't particularly heavy. I put it down to getting up at 01.30am for work each day, working 12 hour shifts then coming home and being a mum than anything more serious.

I had 3 of my girls still at home with me at the time and life was hectic, good but hectic.

For my age I still feel very young at heart which in a way helped me get an early diagnosis of my cancer.

My husband of 35 years and I had a cruise booked for my 50th but sadly Covid put a stop to that so rather than just waste the money we decided to buy ourselves an electric scooter each. After having 5 children very young we decided this was now 'Our Time', like a couple of teenagers we were, out every day & night we were off work, we both found a new lease of life and everything was PERFECT!

However, I begun to notice a very strange pain in my breast bone and around the kidney areas of my back when going over bumps. I just knew something wasn't right.

I made an appointment straight away and was seen by my GP on the Thursday and when I explained where the pain was she had my bloods done that very day. She rang me on the Monday to say I was severely aneamic and was referring me back to my consultant.

My GP rang me back the following day and said 'Lisa I'm so sorry but I'm pretty sure you have blood cancer.'

The next few weeks were a blur, I had several tests and a bone marrow biopsy which confirmed I had MM

I remember the first words out of my mouth, I looked at my husband who was completely broken and said 'I'm sorry'

So the journey begun.

24 bouts of Chemo booked in but after 16 my levels were low enough for my Stem Cell Transplant. Had my Harvest (stem cell collection) on 8th March, should of had transplant within a few weeks but Covid stopped that.

Eventually had it on 4th June 2021. I was booked into Christie's for a month but was determined to be with my hubby at home by 19th June which was our 35th wedding anniversary ( I was married at 17). My Dr told me it's not possible but guess what... This girl did

I've remained positive & focused on remission throughout and that's exactly where I am now.

I have very poorly days but I'd just take myself off to bed as didn't want to feel like a nuisance to anyone.

We have to listen to our bodies and act immediately when something doesn't feel right.

I'm honoured beyond words that I'm now part of:

Maggie’s on the Runway 2021 albeit a late comer, I can't wait to meet all the other inspirational model's and build new friendships.