Dad, 53, left nearly paralysed after mistaking cancer symptoms for old age

Close call

A father of two, Simon Cummings, 53, was almost left paralyzed after a health scare he initially attributed to old age turned out to be cancer. He was rushed to the hospital with a broken neck and diagnosed with blood cancer, highlighting the importance of not ignoring symptoms.

Life-changing diagnosis

Simon's health scare began when a chip flew back and caught him off guard while chopping wood. This led to a broken neck, which, if left untreated, could have resulted in paralysis or worse. A scan revealed the severity of his condition, leading to emergency surgery to stabilize him.

Battling cancer

Following the diagnosis of myeloma, an incurable blood cancer, Simon underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant to survive. While he was declared cancer-free in April 2021, the cancer returned in May 2024. Simon is now in remission but will continue to battle the disease indefinitely.

Spreading awareness

Simon hopes to raise awareness about the subtle symptoms of myeloma that can be mistaken for other ailments or aging. By sharing his story, he aims to encourage others to get symptoms checked early and trust their instincts, emphasizing the importance of early detection in fighting cancer.