A family has been dealt another devastating blow after a man was diagnosed with the same illness that killed his wife, despite displaying no symptoms.
Julie Green's mum, Diane, was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in 2005 after she'd struggled with migraines for months. Julie, of Runcorn, said she was 'shocked' when she found out about her mum's diagnosis as they 'never expected something like that would happen'.
Eventually, Diane slipped into a deep coma and died at Warrington Hospital in January 2006, surrounded by her loving family, CheshireLive reports. But now, the family has been dealt another cruel blow as Diane's husband John has been diagnosed with the same illness.
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In July 2021, John Green was diagnosed with two brain tumours, despite not having any symptoms. The 69-year-old was also diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
His 47-year-old daughter said: "Mum had been back and forth to the doctor with headaches for about a year, but hadn’t got any closer to finding out the cause. Then, one day in March 2005, we had to call an ambulance because she was going in and out of consciousness.
"Paramedics took her to Halton General Hospital, where they did a CT scan and found a brain tumour. It was such a shock. She was such a lively, bubbly person. We never expected something like that would happen to her. They sent her for an MRI scan, which revealed the tumour was deep inside her brain, limiting her treatment options."
Diane, who worked as a cleaner in Runcorn, was transferred to The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Liverpool when surgeons operated. But they were unable to remove all of the tumour due to its location on the brain.
Julie said her mum, who was 55 when she died, "went downhill quickly" as she lost her sight and became paralysed down one side before becoming bed bound. Her illness had a "profound impact on all the family" who provided around the clock care.
John’s shock diagnosis came after he had a fall at home, resulting in a trip to hospital, where scans detected the stage four cancer. Julie said her dad was as "fit as a fiddle" before his diagnosis, so it was "really difficult to comprehend".
She added: "He used to work as a fitter’s mate at Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in Runcorn. After his retirement, he stayed active, walking his springer spaniel every day. Unlike Mum, he’d had no symptoms whatsoever. Dad has taken it all in his stride but I wonder if he’s just putting on a brave face sometimes.
"He’s having chemotherapy, which makes him really poorly, but he’s persevering for now. They can’t operate on the brain tumours, as they’re at the top of the spine. He’s now receiving palliative care but he remains very proud and independent, preferring not to have carers in to help him.”
Julie uses a wheelchair, due to having the painful bone infection osteomyelitis, which resulted in her having her leg amputated in May 2020. In spite of her disability, she has been fundraising for Brain Tumour Research in Runcorn town centre.
Over the weekend, she travelled two miles from her home, in her wheelchair, to collect donations and talk to people about why she supports the cause. Having raised more than £300 so far, she said she makes a donation every year.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “Less than 12% of those diagnosed with a brain tumour survive beyond five years compared with an average of 50% across all cancers and those who do can be left with a wide-range of disabilities.
"We are so sorry to hear that Julie’s family has been impacted twice by this terrible disease. We will continue to fund vital research to improve treatment options for brain tumour patients and, ultimately, find a cure. We’re very grateful for Julie’s support and wish her the best of luck for her ongoing fundraising."
