Liverpool brain tumour patient calls for greater awareness of early symptoms
Earlier this year, 48-year-old David Ellis from Liverpool discovered he had lost feeling down the right side of his face. Following investigations in Accident and Emergency, scans revealed a high-grade tumour in his brain.
David said: “I went to A&E because I thought I was having a stroke. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it was a brain tumour. To say I was devastated would be an understatement. However, I was reassured by the speed with which I was assessed by the clinical team at The Walton Centre and scheduled for my operation.”
Shortly after his referral, David's specialist team recommended an awake craniotomy, due to the tumour's location being close to areas involved with speaking and understanding. This procedure involves a patient being awake and alert during surgery to test functions like speech, memory, or mobility. This allows the surgical team to ensure that only cancerous cells are removed, preserving vital healthy brain tissue.
He continued: “When they suggested an awake craniotomy, I really wasn’t sure. But when they explained it was the safest way to remove the tumour while protecting my speech and memory, I agreed. I was nervous, but watching the patient information video reassured me. Every staff member was so supportive and understanding: they helped me feel ready.”
David underwent the awake craniotomy in the summer, during which the team successfully removed the entirety of the visible tumour. He has since completed a course of radiotherapy at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, and to date, the cancer has not returned.
For David’s procedure, Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Hannah Jones-Reynolds assessed his speech and language using a variety of tests. She also supported David in his recovery afterwards. She said: “It’s incredibly important for brain tumour patients having awake craniotomies that function is preserved. I always feel honoured when I can support a patient in and out of surgery, and give them the best possible care despite having an often life-altering condition.”
Consultant Neurosurgeon Farouk Olubajo said: “It’s vitally important to us here at The Walton Centre that patients get the best treatment we can offer when they need it most. With awake craniotomies, having that real-time feedback from the patient on the areas of the brain I am working on is crucial to preserving their function and keeping them safe.”
Reflecting on his experience during International Brain Tumour Awareness Week, David said: “Looking back over the last 18 months, I realise there were crucial signs I missed which could have led to an earlier diagnosis. One time I was in a meeting and just couldn’t speak, and another time I fell in the road and could not get up easily. They seemed like minor blips at the time, but I should have known then to get checked out.”
“I feel incredibly lucky that The Walton Centre was able to remove the whole tumour and give me the best chance possible. The whole experience has inspired me to support others going through similar situations.”
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Notes to editors
Further information, or to arrange an interview, please contact the Communications Team at The Walton Centre on 0151 556 3397 or wcft.communications@nhs.net
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only hospital trust in the UK specialising in neurology, neurosurgery and pain services. Although the majority of patients come from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire and the Isle of Man, for some specialist treatments of complex disorders we see patients from all parts of the country, referred by their GPs or other neurologists, neurosurgeons and pain clinicians.
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust was rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. The independent regulator of all health and social care services in England published its rating on Friday 21 October 2016, following announced and unannounced inspection visits to the Trust in April 2016.
For more information please visit: www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk or follow the Trust on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ
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