Scots mum ‘speechless’ after painful finger infection turned out to be leukaemia

A Scottish mother of three was left stunned after what appeared to be a painful finger infection turned out to be a diagnosis of leukaemia. Peppie Scobbie, hailing from Larkhall, had been experiencing a series of troubling symptoms, including fatigue, a persistent chest infection, and unusual bruising from minor incidents. Concerned about her health, she visited her GP, who conducted blood tests that revealed she had acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at the age of 53.

Immediately commencing chemotherapy, Peppie faced further complications when she contracted sepsis and pneumonia, leading to a three-week stay in intensive care where she was placed in an induced coma. Over the following months, she underwent two successful rounds of chemotherapy and eventually achieved remission in time for Christmas. Subsequently, Peppie underwent two stem cell transplants, with the latter resulting in an extended hospitalisation due to ‘Graft vs Host’ disease, a condition where white blood cells attack the body.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Peppie remains resilient, acknowledging the mental and physical toll of her treatment while striving to maintain a positive outlook. Lingering effects include permanent damage to her mouth and gut, bone deterioration necessitating knee replacements, and ongoing pain management, with imminent plans for a hip replacement. Grateful for the support from Leukaemia UK, Peppie hopes that ongoing research efforts will lead to more effective and compassionate therapies for individuals battling leukaemia.

Leukaemia UK recently awarded its John Goldman fellowships to promising early career researchers focused on advancing treatment options for aggressive blood cancers like AML. Noteworthy recipients this year include Dr Cecile Lopez, investigating the role of the ERG protein in leukaemia development, and Dr Eliza Yankova, studying the METTL1 gene’s impact on cancer progression. The charity’s Chief Executive, Fiona Hazell, emphasised the importance of such research in improving patient outcomes and expressed gratitude to supporters enabling these critical advancements.

As Peppie continues to navigate her journey with leukaemia, she remains hopeful that ongoing research efforts will lead to breakthroughs in treatment options, offering a brighter future for those affected by this challenging disease.