Lanarkshire woman left in coma after ‘sore finger’ was sign of cancer

A woman from Lanarkshire was left in a coma after what she thought was a simple finger infection turned out to be a sign of cancer. Peppie Scobbie, 53, experienced fatigue, chest infections, bruising, and a painful finger infection. Following a series of blood tests, she received the shocking diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a fast-growing type of cancer. Peppie was taken aback, realizing that her symptoms were typical signs of leukaemia. She underwent chemotherapy but developed sepsis and pneumonia, leading to a three-week stay in intensive care in an induced coma.

After two successful rounds of chemotherapy, Peppie went into remission. Subsequently, she underwent two stem cell transplants, with the last one resulting in a lengthy hospitalization due to ‘Graft vs Host’ disease, where white blood cells attack the body. Several years on, she continues to deal with the aftermath of treatment, including mouth and gut damage, bone deterioration requiring knee replacements, and ongoing pain. Peppie still undergoes regular blood tests and is scheduled for a hip replacement soon.

Despite the challenges, Peppie remains positive, acknowledging the mental toll of her journey but striving to maintain a hopeful outlook. Partnering with Leukaemia UK, she advocates for increased funding for research to develop better therapies for individuals affected by this blood cancer. The charity supports early career researchers through the John Goldman fellowships, granting each fellow £150,000 for research and mentorship. Peppie hopes the funding will lead to improved treatment options for those diagnosed with leukaemia.

Peppie’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of recognising unusual symptoms and seeking medical attention promptly. It highlights the resilience and determination needed to navigate a cancer diagnosis and its aftermath. Her advocacy for further research underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance treatment outcomes for individuals battling leukaemia.