A woman from Douglas has taken to Instagram to document her journey living with cancer.

Pamela Armillei, 40, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in April, after a routine blood test, and said that documenting her experiences on the social media platform has helped her to recall parts of her recovery after serious side effects left her close to death.

Pamela recalled receiving her original diagnosis, saying: ’It was a normal day. I’d had the day before off work and been relaxing in the garden. I’d felt fine, if a little tired and more breathless during my usual exercise.

’But two hours after the blood test, my GP called asking lots of questions. I had to pack a bag and go to A&E at Noble’s Hospital. Before I knew it, I was being flown to Liverpool for specialist treatment at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool. It was a roller-coaster.’

Soon after arriving in the city for her chemotherapy treatment, a chest infection caused her to be transferred to intensive care at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

Pamela said: ’My condition deteriorated significantly at times, including having a cardiac arrest. I was given CPR and my husband Armando and our family were told to prepare for the worst.’

Thanks to the joint efforts of multiple medical professionals, Pamela recovered from the chest infection and was able to be transferred back to Clatterbridge to continue her cancer treatment.

Pamela has been documenting her experiences on her Instagram page @theleukaemiadiaries which she said has helped her remember some elements of her journey which are not as clear, such as her time spent in intensive care.

She said: ’I’ve been documenting everything, from the hospital food I’m eating and the pyjamas I’m wearing, through to elements of my treatment and the gorgeous view from my room over the city.

’Not only does it keep me going, it helps me keep in touch with the outside world.’

Pamela commended the staff at Clatterbridge, who she described as being like family at a time when her family could not visit due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The state of the art centre which is based on Pembroke Place, is Liverpool’s specialist cancer hospital, and marked its first anniversary last week.

Pamela is hoping to be reunited with her family back in island soon.