Ian Cutts, 62, from Weir in Hertfordshire, loves to keep fit and can often be found on long bike rides, running and walking. He was keen to keep this up on the restrictions imposed during the onset of the Covid pandemic.
At one such rally in April 2020, Ian took a longer than usual route to call him at the supermarket. When he was about 300 yards from home, he began to feel unwell. He managed to get back into the house and put his key in the front door before it collapsed. His partner found him on the doorstep, so she called an ambulance.
The ambulance arrived within five minutes, so paramedics and Ian’s partner, Ann, helped Ian into the house. Ian manages to answer the paramedic’s questions and chat with his partner, but he does not remember it. In fact, his first memory was of him being in the ambulance and wondering which hospital they were going to, rather than thinking about why he was in the ambulance in the first place.
They arrived at Queens Alexander Hospital in Harlow, and after 90 minutes of waiting to be admitted due to Covid restrictions, Ian went alone as Anne was not allowed to join him. Since this was Ian’s first shift, the counselor gave him some information and also sent him for a CT scan. This scan found a mass in Ian’s brain, so he was accepted for observations for four days. During this time, he underwent an MRI scan and his results were sent to the Department of Oncology at Queens Hospital in Romford. He was also given an anti-seizure medication.
Ian was sent home because, apart from feeling tired, he was generally good about himself. He heard from the medical team early the following week that Ian had a tumor behind his right ear but that it appeared to be low-grade and slow-growing. He was given the choice of surgery or watch and wait to see if the tumor was causing more problems – he chose to have the surgery.
Ian had the six-hour operation a few weeks later at the end of May. In the meantime, he was enjoying coming home and carrying on with his daily exercise although he made sure he had no escorts, as is usually the case, just in case another bout occurred.
The operation succeeded in removing all the tumor and taking a biopsy and then confirmed that it was a glioblastoma. This is a fast-growing, high-grade type of tumor – contrary to what doctors initially thought about Ian’s case.
Ian said, “I felt completely back to normal within a week or so after the operation. In fact, right after the operation, I felt a little tired but I was talking to my friends on WhatsApp and sharing jokes between us so they all knew I was fine.
“Finding out the tumor so high was a shock. Things were really positive after the successful operation and then, all of a sudden, they weren’t. It’s really baffling that all of this was happening, but I never felt unwell at all.”
Ian was considering retirement after spending 42 years working in banks. After the operation, he decided it was the right thing to do, although he admits that he finds the days boring at times. It gives him more time to spend with Anne who at the time lived in Liverpool. It also meant that Ian could go outside while he was driving, and Ian had to give up his license after he was diagnosed.
In July, Ian began courses of both chemotherapy and radiotherapy and was assigned to the central nervous system to provide help and support if he needed it. The treatment went smoothly and he had no major side effects from it except for a little constant tiredness. After one session of chemotherapy, Ian was able to go straight for a bike ride around the Ebbing Forest with a friend. He also participated in Park Runs regularly throughout his treatment.
Ian said, “Sometimes when I go for treatment, I feel a little scammed, because I see and talk to people who have more serious side effects than I did. I didn’t feel like many other people – and I know I’m lucky I wasn’t affected by that.” negatively.
“I think my positive mindset may have helped lessen the effect all of this had on me physically. I didn’t get sucked into feeling sorry for myself because I was able to go out and do what I usually do. I advise others to do the same – do what is normal for them. After the diagnosis is not It’s a good time to try something new, but if you can carry on with your usual routine, especially the fun parts, it might help too.”
Ian discovered The Brain Tumor Charity where his treatment ended in August. Since then, he’s been raising money for us by participating in the London Duathlon, and he’s also sharing his experiences as part of the organization’s engagement network to help guide its next strategy.
He now has regular checkups to monitor his condition – the last of which showed a small shadow that will soon be confirmed as scar tissue or regrowth that may require further treatment.
Ian added: “The Brain Tumor Charity has been a great source of information about what can happen after my diagnosis. I am sure their range of services is extremely helpful to those who need it and their dedication to finding a brain tumor treatment is my motivation to support them.”
