A DAD was diagnosed with a brain tumour after dismissing the first signs as holiday “overindulgence and exhaustion”.
Wayne Lewis, 62, collapsed in the bathroom, unable to move or speak, after a day in the sun during his vacation.
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The dad-of-one “didn’t want to ruin the holiday” so decided not to go and see a doctor.
But when he returned home to Bridgend, south Wales, he continued to experience fatigue, mood changes, veering while walking and blurry vision.
Again he dismissed the symptoms, this time for “signs of ageing”. But after a stroke four months later he went to hospital.
He was sent home after a CT scan with seizure medication. When he woke up two days later paralysed on one side doctors ran another CT scan and an MRI – which revealed a meningioma on Wayne’s brain.
He underwent a surgery to remove the tumour and now has regular MRIs to monitor his condition.
Wayne, a former RAF serviceman, said: “Looking back, I believe the earliest signs began in May 2022, while on holiday.
“After a day in the sun, I collapsed in the bathroom. Although I was unable to move or speak, I put the episode down to overindulgence and exhaustion.
“I just needed a doctor, but I didn’t want to ruin the holiday so, I carried on.
“After returning home, things continued to feel off. I experienced unexplained fatigue, mood changes, veering while walking, dropping items from my left hand, and even blurry vision.
“I dismissed these as signs of ageing or the effects of a pending cataract operation.”
After dismissing his symptoms Wayne suffered a stroke in July 2022 – just minutes before setting off to drive his grandson to Cardiff Airport.
He said: “I couldn’t move or speak, but I could hear everything. I knew I was having a stroke.
“I was terrified, but looking back it saved my life, I would never have known I had a brain tumour.”
Wayne was rushed to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend by his family – when there were no ambulances available.
Following emergency admission Wayne’s speech slowly returned and he was sent home the same day following a CT scan with seizure medication.
Wayne said: “Just two days later, I woke in the middle of the night completely paralysed on my left side.
I knew I was having a stroke…but looking back it saved my life, I would never have known I had a brain tumour
Wayne Lewis
“Again, no ambulance was available, and I had to be taken to hospital by my family. Once again, the journey was scary, I remember being slumped in the back seat.”
A further CT scan revealed Wayne had a bleed on his brain.
Doctors consulted with the Neurosurgical Department at University Hospital Wales in Cardiff who advised an immediate MRI scan which uncovered a mass on Wayne’s brain surrounded by fluid.
Wayne had an operation to remove the tumour on August 5, 2022 and although most of the tumour was removed, a small piece was left behind as it was attached to a vital blood vessel.
Wayne said: “The day before surgery, my wife and daughter came to the hospital with me.
“I think I cried for five minutes solid when they left not knowing if I would see them again. After surgery, when I woke up and heard the words ‘it went well’, I cried with relief.”
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Through support from his physiotherapists and family, Wayne was discharged within days. Three years since initial diagnosis, Wayne continues to go for regular MRI scans and has been focused on recovery and remaining positive.
Wayne said: “Brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer, yet just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002. That has to change.”
Louise Aubrey, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Wayne’s story is a powerful reminder of how cruel and indiscriminate brain tumours can be. His determination to turn personal tragedy into action is truly inspiring. We are so grateful for his support, every step he takes brings us closer to a cure.”
To spread awareness Wayne is taking part in a month-long challenge – Brain Tumour Research’s 200k. Supporters aim to walk 200k over the course of the month to help raise funds for the research, increase awareness, and bring hope to families affected by brain tumours.
Louise Aubrey, Community Development Manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Wayne’s story is a powerful reminder of how cruel and indiscriminate brain tumours can be. His determination to turn personal tragedy into action is truly inspiring. We are so grateful for his support, every step he takes brings us closer to a cure.”
To support Wayne’s 200k in May challenge or find out more about Brain Tumour Research, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Wayne1743838715132.
The most common symptoms of a brain tumour
More than 12,000 Brits are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year — of which around half are cancerous — with 5,300 losing their lives.
The disease is the most deadly cancer in children and adults aged under 40, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Brain tumours reduce life expectancies by an average of 27 years, with just 12 per cent of adults surviving five years after diagnosis.
There are two main types, with non-cancerous benign tumours growing more slowly and being less likely to return after treatment.
Cancerous malignant brain tumours can either start in the brain or spread there from elsewhere in the body and are more likely to return.
Brain tumours can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS.
They can also lead to changes in personality weakness or paralysis on one side of the problem and problems with speech or vision.
The nine most common symptoms are:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Memory problems
- Change in personality
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision problems
- Speech problems
If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from the ones you normally get, you should visit your GP.
Source: NHS