Scots woman diagnosed with leukemia after pharmacist who had disease spotted symptoms

A nursery teacher from Scotland has been diagnosed with leukaemia after a pharmacist, who had battled the same disease in the past, recognized her symptoms. Natalie Forrest, aged 40, visited her local chemist in Uddingston on September 26 to collect antibiotics for a sore throat, high temperature, and urine infection she had been experiencing for a week. The pharmacist advised Natalie to return to her GP immediately for further testing. Her GP then referred her to University Hospital Wishaw where tests revealed abnormal blood cells. Five days later, Natalie was admitted to Monklands Hospital where a bone marrow test confirmed the devastating diagnosis of blood cancer.

Natalie began an intense chemotherapy regimen two weeks after the diagnosis. Her brother, John, expressed gratitude towards the pharmacist for helping save Natalie’s life. The treatment plan involved chemotherapy three times a week for ten consecutive days, with the possibility of a stem cell transplant after three rounds. Despite a successful response to the treatment initially, Natalie faced a critical setback on November 1 when she collapsed twice and experienced severe bleeding. She received multiple blood transfusions to stabilize her condition.

After overcoming this crisis, Natalie’s health deteriorated again, leading to seven cardiac arrests in one day. She was placed on life support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with slim chances of survival. Miraculously, Natalie survived and has been steadily recovering since then. Her family is hopeful for her return home before Christmas to continue her fight against the disease.

Due to her inability to work, Natalie’s family is facing financial challenges, with her mother and brother taking unpaid leave to support her during hospitalization. To assist with their expenses, a fundraiser has been launched, with any excess funds intended for donation to a cancer charity and Monklands Hospital.

In a heartwarming turn of events, Natalie’s resilience and the support of her loved ones have been key to her ongoing battle with leukemia. The unwavering care and dedication from healthcare professionals, along with the kindness of strangers who have contributed to the fundraiser, highlight the strength of community support during challenging times. Natalie’s journey serves as a testament to the importance of early detection and timely medical intervention in the face of life-threatening illnesses.