From Brain Tumor Survivor to Grieving Pet Owner: My Unimaginable Journey

A man has described how he and his dog both had brain tumours at the same time.

Adrian Haynes had been gradually recuperating following his battle with a tumour when he was profoundly saddened by the loss of his cherished pet, which also succumbed to the same illness. The 53-year-old, hailing from Blackpool , suffered through more than ten years of mysterious health problems including seizures, severe muscle spasms, blurred vision, and memory lapses.

A CT and MRI scan identified a slowly expanding 26-millimetre tumour in his right frontal lobe, potentially forming over ten years. Following surgery, his eyesight, equilibrium, and seizure issues started to get better.

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Yet, right when Adrian commenced his recuperation, the family's cherished canine, Taz, fell ill with abrupt and intense seizures.

In spite of taking his medications and scheduling a scan, Taz’s condition worsened quickly, leading to his untimely death. A subsequent autopsy showed that the cause was indeed a brain tumor. Adrian shared, "Throughout all our struggles—my wife Yvonne battling cancer and myself dealing with my own brain tumor—Taz remained by our side."

He was beside me through the toughest times of my illness, and both he and Yvonne provided the strength I needed when I wanted to surrender. It was devastating to watch him abruptly have seizures and then lose him so swiftly. Adding to that heartbreak, being informed later that he also had a brain tumor seemed almost unreal.

You wouldn't have believed this if it were a movie plot. I was mourning him while simultaneously dealing with my own diagnosis and upcoming surgery. It was an unjust turn of events that I will always remember.

Adrian often found himself being informed by general practitioner clinics that his symptoms stemmed from stress or muscle spasms – even after voicing persistent worries over several years. Healthcare providers similarly overlooked diagnosing him with epilepsy, notwithstanding evident signs of neurological issues.

In May 2023, he had a significant tonic-clonic seizure and was quickly taken by ambulance to Blackpool Victoria Hospital. There, he faced severe disorientation along with weakness on his left side. Imaging tests such as a CT scan and an MRI showed a slowly expanding tumor located in his right frontal lobe, which measured about 26 millimeters across and could have started growing more than ten years ago.

Adrian stated: "For many years, I had been requesting a brain scan. I composed letters, dispatched emails, brought up the issue during consultations, and highlighted how a nursing colleague observed one of my seizures and advised me to have a scan. Nonetheless, time and again, I was informed that what I experienced were merely muscle spasms or that I was overly concerned due to excessive internet research."

When the tumor was eventually found, I felt anger rather than shock—I was furious. I had questioned GPs and neurologists, yet my worries were brushed aside. Some even said my symptoms did not align with those of a brain tumor.

The harm to my wellbeing, profession, money management, and self-assurance might have been prevented.

The most startling disclosure emerged as Adrian examined his medical records. Back in 2009, a standard occupational hearing assessment detected some degree of hearing impairment. Following this, he was directed to the ear, nose, and throat unit for further evaluation, which included scheduling a scan.

Despite informing the doctors he had metal in his right eye, which could pose a risk during MRI, he was still scanned. The resulting MRI showed no issues with his inner ear but identified a lesion on the right side of his brain.

A fortnight afterwards, Adrian got a missive from the Ear, Nose, and Throat division informing him that they detected nothing unusual, thus discharging him without pursuing additional inquiries.

He stated: "They deliberately left a lesion in my brain and took no action. This had severe long-term consequences. It led to me losing my business, our home, and caused significant damage to my mental well-being."

“Frontal lobe damage affects memory, emotion, and physical coordination. It’s changed my life completely.”

Adrian underwent surgery in October 2023 at Royal Preston Hospital to remove the mass, which was later identified as a meningioma - the most common form of low-grade brain tumour found in adults. In the weeks following the operation, his vision, balance, and seizure symptoms began to improve.

Yet, right when Adrian commenced his recuperation, the family's cherished canine, Taz, fell ill with abrupt and intense seizures. Regardless of medications and arrangements for an imaging test, Taz declined swiftly and ultimately passed away; later, a post-mortem disclosed that the reason behind this was a brain tumor.

Adrian commented, "Taz has been with us through thick and thin, supporting both my wife Yvonne as she battled cancer and myself throughout my struggle with a brain tumor. During the most difficult phases of my sickness, Taz stood beside me. When I wanted to surrender, he and Yvonne were the ones who encouraged me to keep fighting."

Seeing him abruptly begin convulsions and losing him just as swiftly was utterly devastating. Then being informed about his brain tumor added an almost dreamlike quality to everything; you wouldn’t accept this sequence of events in a movie plot. While mourning for him, I was also grappling with comprehending my own medical situation and upcoming operation. This bitter turn of destiny remains etched vividly in my memory forever.

This was not the first time brain tumours had affected Adrian’s family. His cousin Mark died of brain cancer less than two years ago, while Yvonne was undergoing cancer treatment. Another cousin, Stephen, tragically passed away at just 19 from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) - a post-mortem revealed he also had a brain tumour.

Adrian likewise lost his employment as the DVLA's delay in returning his driving license, after his seizure diagnosis, prompted his employer to let him go. He was subsequently diagnosed with PTSD, attributing this condition to multiple years of battling medical issues, along with associated legal and financial struggles.

Currently retraining as a mental health counselor, Adrian is committed to transforming his experiences into something constructive. He dedicates time volunteering at Counselling in the Community, assisting with preparations for their upcoming center in Cleveleys, and he persists in raising awareness about brain tumors via the charity. Brain Tumour Research and even assisted the charity by illuminating Blackpool Tower in shades of pink and yellow throughout Brain Tumour Awareness Month in March.

Ashley McWilliams, the community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, stated: "Adrian's narrative starkly illustrates the profound impact that untreated brain tumours can have. His bravery in sharing his experience, particularly following such significant sorrow, is profoundly touching."

We are thankful for his backing and for aiding in raising awareness about the critical need for increased research efforts, prompter diagnoses, and higher investments. Tales such as Adrian’s underscore precisely why our endeavors hold great significance.

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