I was at work and couldn't stand up – I got news I'd never expected at just 23

IN SUMMER 2023, Kai Thornton was on the first day of his holiday when his GP called with an urgent message to turn back immediately and go straight to the Grange Hospital.

- BETHANY GAVAGHAN

Just 12 hours later, Kai, who was then 23, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which is a rare cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow.

The diagnosis came after a month of worsening symptoms, including blinding eye pain, headaches, fatigue and sore joints, which had finally prompted Kai to see his GP the day before.

The gas engineer, from Newport, first realised something was seriously wrong while at work.

He said: "I was fitting a unit and suddenly I couldn't get up. My knees wouldn't work. The kindly customer had to help me up.

"Later that day I had to cover my eyes to block out the sunshine as it made me feel like someone was punching my head.

"My boss gave me the Friday morning off work and I went to the doctors.

"Looking back I knew something was wrong, although the cancer diagnosis was a complete shock. To all young people out there: listen to your body.

"You know it best. We've all heard the nightmare stories about getting a GP appointment, which probably put me off contacting mine earlier, but in hindsight I wish I had done."

Some of Kai's symptoms, including his eye pain when looking at sunlight and severe headaches, were not typical of leukaemia, making his diagnosis all the more unexpected.

Before being diagnosed Kai's health had deteriorated so much he had even asked his future mother-in-law if he could borrow her mobility scooter because walking had become too painful.