Grant and Julie Thomas My Celtic Warrior

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On 6th December 2020 I had a blackout whilst driving. Numerous tests were performed and could find no reason. I wasn’t allowed to drive for 6 months. A pain but not the end of the world at least I was healthy. I had another blackout in January 2021. Fast forward to 30 March 2021 I was about to re apply for my driving licence when my wonderful wife noticed I wasn’t right , my speech and coordination were not right. A visit to hospital revealed a stroke - a bleed on my brain. Clearly bad news but the worst was yet to come. It was established hat the bleed was caused by a tumour. This was revealed to me on the 31st March , the first anniversary of my fathers death . Further tests revealed a tumour behind my right temple. This was called Glioblastoma and in simple terms was brain cancer. On 8th April I had brain surgery when 90- 95% of the tumour was removed. The nature of this illness is that parts of the tumour infiltrates the brain meaning that 100% removal is impossible. The net result is that there are cancerous cells still within my brain.

I embarked on a 6 week programme of radio and chemo therapy in an attempt to deal with it. After the initial shock I was firmly in the I will beat you camp and will be cancer free. That was my honestly held belief and intention. I have now learned that this condition is not curable and the best we can hope for is that the treatment prevents the cells from migrating and growing into a new tumour elsewhere in the brain. Statistically this is very likely.

Now realising I cannot beat this and have resolved that it although eventually it will kill me it is not having my remaining life as well. Throughout this process I have learned what is truly important and that I am surrounded by wonderful people home, work and friends. The support has been incredible. I cannot thank my angel, Julie enough for her help , support, bringing up when I am down and everything she is and does. I intend to continue as I am for as long as possible. There are many possibilities in the future. Occasionally my behaviour is a little unusual and again Julie has noticed changes in my speech. I don’t know why at the moment but later scans may help with this. Physically I am OK. Emotionally not so good at times. This is often cause when I consider the life events I will not get to see in th future, children , grandchildren and other events

Generally I am not an emotional kind of person, so tis has been very hard. Coming to terms with the fact I am not invincible has been very hard as until now the concept of anything or anyone beating me was never an option. My intentions to fight as hard as I can to maintain the great  life I have at the same time as accepting that I am human and emotions affect me now which is a new and scary world.