Ann Wraith wanted answers from doctors after experiencing common symptoms., but quickly found out she had myeloma, a blood cancer that develops from abnormal plasma cells11:49, 24 Jun 2026A woman attributed her night sweats and broken sleep to a cold, but was later told she had blood cancer‌Mum-of-one Ann Wraith, from Glasgow, initially thought her symptoms were caused by something minor, but never thought they could be caused by blood cancer. Doctors later diagnosed her with myeloma, which is a type of cancer that develops from abnormal plasma cells.‌She said: "I knew something wasn't right, so I asked my GP for blood tests. At no point did I think I could have cancer. I was diagnosed two weeks later."‌Ann was "scared and overwhelmed" when she was first diagnosed. She said: "My daughter couldn't visit me on the ward because of her age. I was isolated and alone."Myeloma is currently treatable but not curable, and I'm still learning how to navigate life as a parent, wife and friend while adapting to this diagnosis. It has been an incredibly challenging time."‌Blood cancer symptoms varies widely and may include persistent pain, fatigue, recurrent infections and unexplained bone problems, which makes diagnosing the condition challenging.She said: "I had what I thought was a bad cold that I couldn't shake off. I was getting up frequently during the night, and I was so exhausted that I was falling asleep during the day, which was completely unlike me. I also had a painful leg for months that seemed to come out of nowhere.”After her diagnosis, Ann had a stem cell transplant and spent three weeks in hospital away from her family. While the treatment had worked well for Ann, it came with a mix of gruelling physical and emotional side-effects.‌Describing her side-effects, Ann said: “I wish more people understood the psychological impact of living with myeloma. Alongside the physical challenges, there is a lot of uncertainty and fear. It can be easy to dismiss what your body is trying to tell you and put symptoms down to stress, ageing or being busy, but don't ignore symptoms that don't feel normal for you. There is hope. You don't have to face it alone."Throughout her treatment, Ann received support from the Beatson Cancer Charity and said the support made the “experience more manageable".Article continues belowShe said: "The charity created a sense of community... whether it was a chat over tea and cake or the support available both in hospital and in the community, they made the experience more manageable."I don't take ordinary moments for granted now. Walking outside, going for a coffee, or spending time with the people I love feels incredibly precious. Recovery is teaching me to celebrate even the smallest victories."A spokesperson from Beatson Cancer Charity, said: "Raising awareness of myeloma and its symptoms is vital, as earlier diagnosis can make a significant difference to treatment options and outcomes."