A father-of-three thought he just had a head cold with “mundane symptoms”, but later found out he had a life-threatening blood cancer.

Alex Davies, from Wilpshire, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2022 after feeling run down with a cold and blocked sinuses.

A month later, when his symptoms did not get better, he went to his GP who said he probably had sinusitis and provided him with a steroid nasal spray and antibiotics.

In spring, he began experiencing visual disturbances and double vision and was referred for an MRI scan and sent for urgent ophthalmology review. Due to prolonged waiting list and worsening symptoms, he decided to go to a private clinic.

Working as a pharmacist he was aware of his condition and felt somewhat relieved when the biopsy results indicated he had large B-cell lymphoma.

Alex said: “The period going through all the diagnostics was when I felt at my lowest. There are so many unknowns and it’s hard to get into the frame of mind of how you can make things better.

“My head was spinning, and I couldn’t help thinking about the worst-case scenarios. I have three small children aged one, four and seven and all I could think about was them and my wife.

“Our world was falling apart. Would they still have a dad at the end of this? I thought of all the things I wouldn’t be able to do with them over the next months.” 

After being admitted for treatment at the start of August, Alex’s main ambition was to see his son start school and he was thrilled to make the occasion.

Having made the tough decision to start radiotherapy to completely remove the cancer Alex went through an excruciating recovery which took months to rebuild his strength.

He is now back in full-time work and has a new outlook on life.

Alex added: “What I am left with is a totally different perspective in life. I want to make the most of every day and cherish time with my family.

“Since my diagnosis and treatment, we have done lots of things as a family, like a trip to Belfast, railway trips and even our first holiday abroad. When opportunities arise, we take them and seize the moment!”

Alex wanted to share his story as part of Blood Cancer Awareness month and invites everybody to join the conversation and help more people affected by the condition.