‘I shrank two inches after cancer broke my back’ | Manchester News

A man who survived blood cancer against the odds and lost two inches in height after suffering serious damage to his bones vowed “to live as normal a life as possible”.

Matthew Padley, from Hyde, Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with myeloma in 2023 after experiencing severe back pain which at first he dismissed as “twinges” in 2022.

An X-ray later found his back had broken and his spine was a “mess”, with tests later confirming he had incurable myeloma.

The cancer is now in remission after a rollercoaster ride of treatment, with the 60-year-old father-of-two now determined to “live a full life and make the most of the time I’ve been given”.

The scout leader of more than 30 years said he was now “back with a vengeance doing the volunteering that I enjoy”.

Myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow which cannot usually be cured, but can be managed with treatment, the NHS said.

The condition, which affects more than 33,000 people in the UK, weakens bones by speeding up their breakdown and slowing down repair, making them thin and fragile, and they can break more easily, according to charity Myeloma UK.

By the time Matthew’s cancer was caught, serious damage had been caused to his bones and his back was broken.

Matthew said he did not think much of “twinges” he started getting in his back in September 2022 and took painkillers to ease his discomfort.

Eventually, in January 2023, he booked an appointment with a physiotherapist at his GP surgery as the pain had got worse.

His physio referred Matthew for an X-ray and the radiologist told him his back was broken.

Matthew said: “He showed me the image of my spine and it was a mess.”

Tests later confirmed he had myeloma and he quickly received chemotherapy followed by a stem cell transplant.

Matthew said it came as a shock to be told the cancer was incurable.

“I have lost two inches in height because of the damage but at least it’s treatable and I’ve responded to treatment as well as they could expect,” he said.

While he is in remission, Matthew has had to grapple with unexpected side effects of the intensive treatment.

The draughtsman, who creates technical drawings for electrical engineers, is still dealing with fatigue and was hospitalised with infections three times last winter.

While his back has healed to an extent, the damage is irreversible.

He said it had been a difficult time for his family, especially his wife Diane, adding he was “eternally grateful” for their unwavering support.

“You can’t just ignore myeloma sadly, but you can put it at the back of your mind.

“We’ve officially called 12 March 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.”

For now, Matthew is determined to live a full life again.

“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.”

It comes as The Christie Cancer Centre at Tameside Hospital was handed a major award for “raising the bar for treatment and providing compassionate care”.

Staff were presented with the Myeloma UK Clinical Service Excellence Programme (CSEP) Award in recognition of their outstanding care and dedication to people with the condition.

Matthew who was under the care of the Christie, said the “faultless” staff were “truly deserving” of the accolade.

“What they do means a heck of a lot to people like me,” he said.