A former soldier who was just days away from death after being diagnosed with leukaemia told how he was saved following a bone marrow transplant. Jamie Buchanan, 45, began having back pain and severe night sweats before being admitted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee after having acute chest pain.
Medics diagnosed Jamie with leukaemia and told him he was days away from death. Jamie's wife was six months pregnant with twins at the time and the armed response police officer was terrified he wouldn't see his kids grow up.
The cause of the cancer was a faulty gene, known as the 'Philadelphia positive' meaning despite chemotherapy, the cancer would likely come back. Dad-of-two Jamie said: "I was in and out of consciousness and was whisked away to HDU before being moved on to the haematology ward.
"My first thought was 'I've had a good run but it's over'. I was there with my wife who's six months pregnant and we're thinking I won't get to see my kids."
Doctors told Jamie his only hope was a lifesaving bone marrow transplant - and they found a match in Germany through the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Register. He was quickly put through a strong bout of chemotherapy to prepare for the transplant which took place at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in 2016.
Jamie, who served for more than 10 years in Northern Ireland and the second Gulf War, has now celebrated being cancer free for six years. He is back to full fitness, incorporating a strict regime of running, weights and training, as well as looking after identical twin daughters Erin and Eva.
Jamie has urged others to sign up as a bone marrow donor and said it's as simple as giving blood. He said: "I consider every single member of staff as lifesavers and angels. I simply would not be here without them.
"I'd encourage anyone to sign up as a bone marrow donor as well. It's such a simple process - not dissimilar to giving blood - and you could help save someone's life."
The BMT team is now based out of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Susan Groom, Director for Regional Services, including BMT, said: "We're proud of the service our BMT team provides at the Beatson, and it's fantastic to see patients like Jamie make a full recovery after what was an extremely difficult time, both at the point of his diagnosis, through to his operation and recovery.
"Thanks to the selflessness of donors, our teams are able to perform this procedure which in many cases, is life-saving."
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