Ian Hibberd

I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia in 2006 while I was living in Hawke's Bay. At the time I was a fit and healthy marathon runner with no signs of a health issue. From 2006 until November 2012 it was a case of having quarterly blood tests and a watch and wait brief. I continued to lead a very normal lifestyle, barely noticing my affliction.

August 2012 I moved to Lower Hutt for employment reasons (Public Servant – Ministry of Education) and in December 2012 I was admitted to the emergency ward for ITP (platelets had a reading of 2). From December 2012 until September 2013 I had 5 courses of FCR chemotherapy, no platelet response from the treatment and the CLL was unscathed! A laparoscopic splenectomy was carried out in March 2013 and I started on a new drug eltrombopag. This was successful in stabilising my platelets and I stopped taking the drug in September 2017.

During this period I also had a CLL relapse (progressive lymphadenopathy) and it was ascertained I was 11q deletion (11q-). In April 2015 I was given access to ibrutinib on compassionate grounds. Presently I am taking ibrutinib (280mg) daily along with cotrimoxazole (480mg) and this is maintaining my health.

The difference ibrutinib has made to my life is dramatic, with only minor side effects, and I have been able to have a normal life again. I work full-time, I exercise and I’m healthy. I’m very happy with that, as previously the state of my health was precarious.

My family and I are truly grateful, for giving me another chance at life.