Melissa's CML story
Melissa McNaughton, 36, from Glasgow, was used to feeling run down because of her busy life and ongoing health issues. She thought she was just tired from working too hard. But in June 2018 she found out it was something far more serious – chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML).
07 Apr 2026 - Admin
Their story in brief
Finding out
Melissa had been getting regular blood tests to check her iron levels. When her GP phoned and told her to go to hospital the next day, she knew something wasn’t right.
Walking through the hospital doors, she saw posters about cancer, chemo and wigs. Fear set in. A nurse asked if she was there for chemotherapy.
“I had no idea why I was there and I ran to the toilet in a panic. When I finally saw the consultant, he said there was a 99% chance I had leukaemia.”
A bone marrow biopsy confirmed she had CML. She started treatment straight away.
Treatment and challenges
Melissa was determined to carry on as normal. She even went back to work the following week. But the tablets were tough.
“The first drug left me so weak I could hardly eat with a knife and fork. I lost weight, had constant bone pain and cried every day.”
Over the years she has switched treatment several times to manage side effects. She has now been on dasatinib for two years. It is working better with her system, though side effects are still hard to live with.
After more than five years of treatment, Melissa is close to reaching her final target with her BCR-ABL results.
“Every day is still a struggle. Some days are harder than others. But cancer will just have to get used to living with me, because I’m not letting it beat me.”
A new lifestyle
Melissa and her husband recently decided to make big changes. They relocated to the Highlands of Scotland and now run a small business together. Life is calmer and slower paced, which has helped her health as well as giving them both a fresh start.
“I’m still living with it, quite difficultly at times, but living. Our new life feels like a dream and it has made such a difference.”
Raising awareness
Melissa has also raised money for Leukaemia Care and shared her honest journey online with the hashtag #mycmljourneydiary.
She has faced comments from people who don’t understand her illness, such as, “At least you’ve got the good cancer” or “Are you cured now?”
“Just because I look ok doesn’t mean I feel ok. I always say I’m fine because I don’t want to go into detail. But the truth is, I live with fatigue and pain every single day.”
Melissa is determined to keep raising awareness, especially through campaigns like Spot Leukaemia.
“I didn’t know what leukaemia was until I had it. That’s why awareness matters so much – it can save lives by encouraging someone else to get tested.”
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