June Kelly, a 48-year-old mother of two from Micklefield, Leeds, was devastated to learn that a persistent metallic taste in her mouth was a symptom of incurable blood cancer. At the time, she was in the best shape of her life, regularly competing in triathlons and half marathons.
Sudden onset of symptoms
In March 2021, Kelly began experiencing shortness of breath when running, difficulty staying warm, and a metallic taste that mouthwash could not remove. She visited her GP, suspecting asthma or an underactive thyroid, but blood tests revealed her kidneys were functioning at just five percent. She was rushed to York Hospital, where doctors told her she urgently needed dialysis and a kidney transplant.
One week later, on 30 March, further tests confirmed she had myeloma, a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Myeloma affects more than 35,000 people in the UK and is generally incurable but treatable. Doctors explained that her failing kidneys caused the metallic taste. Other symptoms can include persistent pain, fatigue, fragile bones, and kidney problems.
Shock and family impact
Kelly said the diagnosis "completely blew my world apart." She struggled to tell her children, Max, now 25, and Mia, now 20, supported by her husband Adrian, 57. "I don't think I told people the name of the cancer. I had never heard of myeloma. We just said it's a form of cancer and it's treatable but it will never go away," she said.
She chose to limit the information she read, telling doctors: "Tell me what to do and I will do it." Her goal was to be well enough to meet her sister's baby, who was due that year.
Treatment and recovery
Kelly started chemotherapy the day after diagnosis, receiving weekly injections for four months. She experienced few side effects beyond blurry vision. "The treatment and dialysis made me feel so much better. It made me realise just how unwell I'd been," she said.
In September 2024, she underwent a stem cell transplant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. After a four-week hospitalization for an infection, she returned home and continues maintenance chemotherapy in tablet form. Due to her cancer, she cannot have a kidney transplant and requires dialysis three times a week.
Living with myeloma
Despite the challenges, Kelly is determined to make the most of life. She and Adrian bought a campervan and travel around the UK, including a trip to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness, stopping for dialysis in Inverness. "I enjoy the good days and just get through the bad," she said.
She sets yearly goals: the first year was to see her niece born, this year to see her son graduate, and next year to see her daughter graduate.
Raising awareness
Kelly is sharing her story during Myeloma Awareness Week, supporting Myeloma UK's campaign to help others spot warning signs early. Dr. Sophie Castell, chief executive at Myeloma UK, said: "The most important thing you can do is get your symptoms checked. We know that myeloma can be difficult to diagnose, so bring the Myeloma UK Symptom Translator with you to the GP, ask for answers and get to the bottom of what's causing your pain, infections or fatigue. Know the warning signs, put your health first and help us catch myeloma earlier."
