A BOURNEMOUTH woman has spoken out about her experience with leukaemia and how she owes her life to a previously anonymous stem cell donor – with whom she now shares a special bond.

Nicky Turkoz, 57 and from Bear Cross, had not long turned 50 when she was suddenly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.

Apart from feelings of extreme tiredness, a couple of gum infections, and a pounding in her head, Nicky had “no idea” anything was serious wrong with her.

As part of Blood Cancer Awareness Month, and amid charity Leukaemia Care’s Spot Leukaemia campaign, Nicky hopes by speaking about her experience it might trigger others with similar symptoms to get checked out.

Following a blood test in December 2014, Nicky received the devastating news she had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Nicky said: “Nobody can prepare you for the journey that you are about to embark on. From the side effects of the chemo, the bone marrow biopsies, having your Hickman line inserted and removed (three times in total for me), a PICC line, and the total isolation, loneliness, despair and helplessness of the situation.

“I am a single mother to two beautiful daughters who were 19 and 22 at the time of my diagnosis – the impact on them was massive. My youngest daughter was working abroad at the time and gave up her job to come home and help look after me.”

In order to prevent relapse, Nicky was told she would need a stem cell transplant – which took place at Southampton Hospital in May 2015. She spent more than 19 weeks in hospital receiving treatment.

While describing herself as “euphoric at being discharged”, Nicky knew her recovery would be lengthy.

She said: “In the first 18 months post-transplant, life as I knew it was very much on hold. I was unable to mix with people, no going out, as I had no immune system and normal coughs and colds could become life threatening.”

Ultimately, the stem cell transplant proved a huge success.

After an obligatory two years of anonymity, Nicky met her stem cell donor in September 2017 and they became firm friends.

Nicky added: “The most special thing is that Annette, my donor, was a guest of honour at my daughter’s wedding in 2018 and I was lucky enough to give my daughter away – a very special moment considering all that we had been through. 

“I am now a very proud grandma to Leela. Thanks to Annette I am alive to cherish this very special little girl.”

The most common symptoms of leukaemia are fatigue, bleeding and bruising, repeated infections, fever or night sweats, bone or joint pain and shortness of breath.

Visit spotleukaemia.org.uk for more.