Stuart's Story ...

Stuart was born in Glossop North Derbyshire; he left school to study at Manchester Metropolitan University. In 1987, he graduated with a degree in Biological Sciences; in 1988 he joined Derbyshire Constabulary as a police officer, with whom he has served for almost 30 years. Stuart has performed a variety of roles and specialist functions within the police service, whilst he was a serving officer he successfully obtained a Masters Degree at Sheffield Hallam University, the aim being that when he retired he would continue with a career in ecology.  Stuart participated in a variety of voluntary work including conservation and wildlife management. 

Before he become ill he was a very active and fit person; recently obtaining his 4th Dan Black Belt in Karate. A keen dog walker, he could often be spotted with his beloved spaniels, walking many miles each day after work.  Stuart and I have been married for many happy years and have three children and two grandchildren; He is and always has been my best friend and we were very much looking forward to his retirement in May of this year.  

Following an injury at work, he underwent routine surgery in July 2017. Immediately post operatively Stuart complained of left sided weakness, and was advised that this was normal. After coming home from Hospital he began to experience muscular spasms in his left leg, He visited his consultant neurologist before being discharged to the care of his GP, to whom he described his continued left sided weakness and muscular twitches; his consultant informed him that he had never come across such symptoms and didn’t know what the cause could be.  Stuart returned to work in a restricted role .Hissymptoms continued throughout the summer of 2017, he visited his GP several times, each time he was reassured that it was nothing to worry about. 

We now know that Stuart was experiencing‘red flag’ symptoms of a brain tumour. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, with over 11,000 people diagnosed each year with a primary brain tumour. This includes 500 children and young people – that’s 30 people every day.

By early October, Stuart began to feel numbness in his left leg and found it difficult to climb the stairs at work; his stumbling was noticed by a number of his colleagues, who joked about him being old, again Stuart visited his GP, his symptoms were again dismissed as nothing to worry about.

In November Stuarts symptom’s had increased, and now included slight confusion, memory loss, muscle spasms, increased loss of sensation and mobility, he visited his GP yet again. He was told not to worry about the numbness as it was possibly as at result of the cold weather, itwas suggested it could be chill blains and to wear extra socks.  Myself and our daughter Jasmin became increasingly alarmed as the week progressed by Stuart’s loss of mobility and confused behavior. Stuart however was reluctant to visit his GP again, feelingeassured by his previous comments that all was well and his symptoms just temporary.  

The early signs of brain tumours can often appear non-specific; as such they are often overlooked by GP’S. These delays are frustrating and add to the stress of the eventual diagnosis. The Brain Tumour Charity is leading the way to defeat brain tumours, raising awareness of the signs and symptoms to make early diagnosis a reality.

On 18th November 2017, at my insistence,Stuart attended A&E at our local hospital, much to his surprise, he was admitted for tests.  He underwent many investigations during his weeklong stay, including two MRI’s and two CAT scan’s.  

23rd November 2017, Stuart was finally told the reason behind his symptoms.  Alone and with no one to support him, he was informed, in a matter of fact manner, that he had a brain lesion.  He was then left alone, to process this information. 

As a teacher, I was in class, when our daughter Jasmin telephoned me, asking me to call at the hospital on my way home. I immediately felt a sense of foreboding and knew something was very wrong.  Arrivingat the hospital, it was briefly explained that Stuart had a small brain lesion, located in his frontal lobe; he would be referred to a specialist in Sheffield.  The following day hewas discharged home, pending this appointment, on high dose steroids and by this point, looking gravely ill.

The following week we attended anappointment with the neurosurgeon, he explained that Stuart appeared to have a high-grade primary brain tumour, located in the parietal lobe, not the frontal lobe as we had been previously told, this, another mistake, which was due to the scans being read upside down.  We were told that it would need immediate surgery to remove, then possibly radiotherapy and chemotherapy, without this intervention Stuart would be unlikely to survive much longer than the Christmas period.  Over 5,000 people lose their lives to a brain tumour each year, with life expectancy reduced on average by 20 years; this is the highest of any cancer.

8th December 2017, Stuart underwent seven grueling hours of surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible. Nothing can ever prepare you for seeing some one you love, in a high dependency unit. Fortunately Stuart made good progress post operatively and was discharged home 5 days later, awaiting the histology results on his tumour.

December 22nd 2017, the day before our wedding anniversary and three days before Christmas, we were given the worst possible news; Stuart had grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme. This really aggressive form of cancer, is fast growing and likely to spread, statistically prognosis is 6 – 12 months and the cancer is considered both incurable and terminal. 

Stuart remained unfazed by this devastating news, making jokes with the specialist nurse, thanking the neurosurgeon for saving his life and comforting myself and our daughter Jasmin. On the short drive home, deeply distressed and in shock, I received a call from our local hospice offering assistance; this phone call further reinforced the hopelessness of our current situation. We decided to only inform close family and friends of the seriousness of the diagnosis at this point, Stuart did not wish to spoil anyone’s Christmas with his bad news.

Over the holiday period, I researched everything I possibly could on this form of cancer and awaited the first appointment at Weston Park Hospital to discuss Stuarts treatment plan.  Sadly, the information regarding proposed treatment for Stuart was limited and dismaying. Glioblastomas are not only extremely aggressive, but alsooften resistant to standard treatment, as we left the hospital; we felt there was little hope.

Research offers the only real hope of dramatic improvements in the management and treatment of brain tumours. Over £500m is spent on cancer research in the UK every year, yet less than 2% is spent on brain tumours.

Following this rather bleak appointment, I asked for a 2nd opinion with Dr Paul Mulholland at University College Hospital,London, he is one of the leading oncologists in this field, offering pioneering new treatments both privately and within the NHS. 

At UCLH the atmosphere was completely different, Dr Mulholland agreed that statistically prognosis was poor, but he suggested different options that could improve Stuarts wellbeing and survival. He also discussed clinical trials; unfortunately we could not take part in the most recent one, as a referral needed to have beenmade immediately on diagnosis. 

Stuart began the first stage of his standard treatment plan on the 9th January 2018. Despite the many indignities and challenges he has faced throughout this short illness, he has remained positive, showing immense bravery and strength of character. His main concern being for others, with that wish in mind I contacted the Brain Tumour Charity, who are at the forefront of the fight to defeat brain tumours, making a difference every day to the lives of people with brain tumours and their families. It funds pioneering research to increase survival, raise awareness of the symptoms and effects of brain tumour diagnosis. The charities goals are to double survival within 10 years in the UK and to halve the negative impact that brain tumours have on quality of life.

Our daughter Jasmin, in a desperate bid to save her dads life, began to look at private treatments, ranging from homeopathic supplements, Optune Novacure a new development from the USA and immunotherapy, many of which need self-funding. At this point she set up Stuart’s Just Giving page: gofundme.com/92964-please-help-save-my-dads-life.

The aim of which is to raise funds for treatment for Stuart, but most importantly to raise awareness of the impact and inequalities faced by those with this disease.  

I know, I can not change Stuart’s diagnosis,but I can make sure that his story is not forgotten, and that in future those displaying ‘red flag’ symptoms are taken seriously by their GP and referred straight to hospital.  In addition I hope that work colleagues will be more aware and feel confident in recognising, recording, reporting and sharing any concerns to line managers and other agencies as early diagnosis is crucial to effective treatment and survival of this disease.

The Brain Tumor Charity working with Dr Paul Brennan, Senior Lecturer Neurosurgery, University of Edinburgh is funding research that will produce simple guidelines to help GP’S to better identify which patients may have a brain tumour. These patients can then be rapidly referred to a specialist for further investigations such as a brain scan. 

Thank you for taking the time to read Stuartsstory, we have been very moved by messages and donations to support Stuart in his fight against cancer. We have organized a range of events that you can take part in or make a donation to and remain ever grateful to those who have already agreed to take part. Any monies not directly used for Stuarts treatment, will be donated to the Brain Tumour Charity