Told I Had 12 Days to Live – Tracy’s Battle with AML
Tracy was told she had 12 days to live without chemo. After a tough battle with AML, a stem cell transplant that saved her life. Now in remission, she shares her journey to raise awareness.
We spoke to Toby, one of our 2024 riders, about his journey over the past decade and his experience during the Paris-Roubaix challenge. This ride not only pushed him to his physical limits but also played an unexpected role in his health journey. The gruelling cobbled terrain revealed an issue that ultimately led to the early detection of his relapse—something that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.
Toby was diagnosed with Myeloma in December 2014. Fortunately, it was detected early before significant damage could occur. At the time, he had developed a 15cm plasmacytoma and a large hole in his pelvis, but these only caused minor pain in his SI joint. His treatment began at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham with radiotherapy, followed by six months of induction therapy and his first stem cell transplant in 2016. Despite the challenges, Toby’s recovery was swift, with cycling playing a key role in helping him regain his strength. Just a few months after his transplant, he completed his first charity ride – a 25-mile event.
This marked the beginning of his cycling journey. Although Toby had experience as a triathlete, he hadn’t yet fully embraced cycling. During his remission, he took part in several fundraising events, including the London to Paris ride in 2017, 2018, and 2019, as well as the Land’s End to John O’Groats ride in 2018.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Toby contracted the virus, which unexpectedly triggered type 1 diabetes. While the infection played a role, the steroids used in Myeloma treatment likely contributed to its onset. Managing diabetes on a daily basis has proven to be more challenging than dealing with the day to day symptoms of Myeloma itself.
His first relapse occurred around 2020, just as the lockdowns were easing. Toby underwent induction therapy followed by his second stem cell transplant in 2022. While the procedure seemed to go smoothly at first, complications arose, and he was readmitted to the hospital, eventually requiring emergency bowel surgery. The radiotherapy he received in 2014 had weakened his bowel, leading to the loss of several inches of his large intestine, and he had to live with a stoma for a year.
After recovering from his second stem cell transplant, Toby’s passion for cycling remained strong. In 2024, after his recovery he participated in the Paris-Roubaix challenge with the CL Paris Roubaix Team – one of the most iconic and challenging rides in the world. However, it was during this ride that Toby first noticed something wasn’t quite right. The intense vibrations from the cobbles revealed an issue in his neck, leading to the early detection of his relapse. As Toby puts it, sport has always guided him through life’s challenges.
Fortunately, his treatment has been successful, and he is now back in remission. Toby feels fortunate to have responded well to all the treatments he’s undergone. Unfortunately, his recent relapse affected one of the vertebrae in his neck. While Toby has stayed fit through extensive indoor training, he’s uncertain how much outdoor cycling he’ll be able to do and plans to reassess his situation in the spring. Despite this, cycling continues to be an essential part of his daily routine, helping him stay both physically and mentally strong.
Two years apart!
