Story
John began acting strangely in February 2019. Small, tiny things that go usually unnoticed. Less emotion and motivation were the main things. By April he had what we now know was a first seizure getting off the train from London. He rapidly went downhill over the following week, until he was sent to A&E for a scan. A large frontal lobe tumour was found - 11th May 2019. We were sent to Oxford, John Radcliffe, and seen by an amazing neurosurgeon. John was diagnosed with a brain tumour Glioblastoma Astrocytoma grade 4 in June 2019; an aggressive cancer that is sadly terminal. Three options were given to us: 1) Do nothing - expectancy 6-8 weeks 2) Biopsy, then chemo and radiation treatment - expectancy 4 - 6 months, or 3) brain surgery, biopsy, then chemo and radiation treatment - expectancy 12 - 14 months Of course, we opted for option 3. Complications of brain cancers are the small enclosed space that they are confined too. This limits the ability to treat (swelling, etc) without causing brain damage. Also the body is very clever in not allowing things to reach the brain (known as the ‘blood - brain barrier’), therefore chemo treatments are less effective. John has had all the radiation treatment he can have. The only option now is chemo by tablet form to hold back the reproduction of the tumour cells. John has worked most of his life within our amazing National Health Service; and has just received an award for his contribution at national level to such. We remain hopeful and positive, but are also realists at the same time. Research is ongoing and hopefully we can save a life or two in the future. ❤️