Brain tumour: Cancer Research UK on 'different types' in 2017
A dad-of-one is set to undergo his third life-saving brain surgery due to a tumour he was diagnosed with more than 20 years ago.
Determined Callum Webb, 33, will undergo major surgery in February after he was hit with the “worst pain” he had ever felt in his life last month.
After being rushed to hospital doctors confirmed he was bleeding from the tumour.
But Callum’s ordeal actually began when he was aged just 11. He started feeling dizzy and experiencing seizures.
Callum, from Liverpool, recalled: “My mum knew it wasn’t normal so she took me to the doctor and refused to leave until they booked me in for a scan. That confirmed I had a brain tumour.”
READ MORE ‘I realised something was wrong with my son when he was blinking too much’
Within weeks he’d had a biopsy at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and some of the tumour was removed.
But the high risk of such surgery meant part of it was left in situ and monitored as it slowly grew.
At the age of 15 he underwent another operation, that meant just particles remained, and he has had an annual brain scan ever since.
Callum kept his condition under wraps and focused on his career, ultimately setting up his own fitness business called POW8R with his partner Holly.
He also became a dad for the first time, and Holly is due to have another baby soon.
Don’t miss…
Dad suffered ‘drilling’ headaches and fatigue prior to brain tumour diagnosis[REAL LIFE]
Antiques Roadshow star would have ‘only had two weeks left’ in cancer battle[CELEBRITY]
Doctor shares three red flag signs of brain tumours – ‘See a GP'[EXPERT]
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
But their lives were turned upside down earlier this month when Callum woke up with a severe headache that got worse over the next 48 hours.
He explained: “I tend to get a few migraines, usually when I’ve pushed myself to the extreme physically, and I normally just sleep them off.
“But the pain became unbearable and Holly insisted I go to hospital.
“It was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life – like someone was jamming their finger all the way into my eye.
“The medical team confirmed I had a bleed from the tumour.”
Doctors said they might have to drill into his skull to relieve the pressure. Thankfully, medication reduced the short-term risk.
After an exhausting stay on the ward he was sent home to recover but he’s not out of the woods yet.
“I’m having an MRI scan in late January,” he said. “If the results are positive I should have a date for surgery before the start of March. It’s too dangerous not to remove the rest of the tumour.”
He added: “I have a partner, a daughter, and another child on the way, plus a business I am responsible for.
“There is a lot of weight on my shoulders and I also know much more about the severity of the operation I’m about to have.
“I know I’m fortunate to be fit, healthy and still here.
“I’ve always been the type of person to just get on with things and look at the positives. Otherwise, what’s the point?”
According to the NHS, common symptoms of a brain tumour include:
- Headaches
- Seizures (fits)
- Persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- Mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision or speech problems.
If you experience any unexplained signs you should speak to your doctor.
Source: Read Full Article
