Author Emma Heatherington Reveals Battle with Myeloma Cancer

Emma Heatherington, a 49-year-old author from Donaghmore in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, is sharing her harrowing experience with myeloma, an incurable form of blood cancer. Initially attributing her symptoms—aches, night sweats, and fatigue—to the aging process and early menopause, Emma was shocked to discover that a serious illness was “eating away” at her body.

A Life Turned Upside Down

In 2024, Emma was thriving in her career, celebrating the release of her first book with Penguin Random House. “I was flying,” she reflected, feeling on top of the world. Yet, by February, her life took an unexpected turn. She began experiencing severe fatigue and dizzy spells, along with unusual symptoms like clicking noises in her bones and night sweats.

Believing these signs were typical of perimenopause, which usually begins in the early 40s, Emma did not initially seek medical advice. Symptoms can often mimic those of aging, including joint pain, hot flushes, and low mood. Unfortunately, her condition was far more critical.

A Shocking Diagnosis

After a particularly severe dizzy spell led her to the emergency room, Emma underwent a CT scan. Four weeks later, she received the life-altering diagnosis from a hematologist: she had myeloma, a cancer that affects blood and bone marrow, claiming around 3,000 lives annually in the UK alone. By the time of her diagnosis, Emma already suffered from a fractured sternum and lesions in her skull, breastbone, and shoulders.

“It was a comedown and a shock to go from utter elation to absolute despair,” Emma said, reflecting on her journey.

Beginning chemotherapy and later undergoing a stem cell transplant at Belfast City Hospital in November 2024, Emma realized the severity of her condition. “A year or more this was going on inside me but I had kept brushing it off,” she said. The irony of feeling so well just before her diagnosis made the reality of her situation even harder to accept.

Emma’s battle was compounded by the emotional impact of losing her hair to chemotherapy. She chose to shave her head alongside her children, attempting to keep the experience light-hearted, but the moment she saw her bald reflection was sobering. “I thought, ‘This is cancer – this is real,’” she recounted.

Coping with Ongoing Challenges

Emma’s treatment involved a lengthy isolation period, during which she could only see her fiancé, Jim McKee. Despite the challenging circumstances, she found solace in the hospital environment, where medical staff provided not just care but also emotional support through humor and conversation.

On the day her second book, Maybe Next Christmas, was released, Emma conducted a live interview from her hospital bed, a testament to her resilience. Despite being discharged, her health remained precarious, leading to several hospitalizations due to infections. Emma described the toll the illness took on her daily life: “There were days when I couldn’t lift a fork up to my mouth, I was so tired,” she said.

Living month to month, Emma continues to take a daily chemotherapy tablet to manage her myeloma. “I know I will never be out of the woods,” she stated, underscoring the chronic nature of her condition. She remains hopeful for advancements in treatment but is acutely aware of the grim reality faced by many with similar diagnoses.

Raising Awareness for Early Detection

Emma aims to raise awareness about myeloma through the Myeloma UK’s “Know the Warning Signs” campaign. The symptoms of myeloma can be vague and easily dismissed, often mistaken for common ailments or the aging process. They include back pain, unexplained fatigue, recurring infections, and easily fractured bones.

Her advice to others experiencing similar symptoms is clear: “Don’t feel silly or reluctant to go to the GP. Don’t rule it out, just in case.” Emma encourages people to document their symptoms and seek medical advice, emphasizing that early diagnosis can save lives.

As she prepares for the release of her next book, Every Christmas Eve, scheduled for October 23, Emma remains committed to sharing her story, hoping to empower others to recognize the signs of myeloma and advocate for their health.