WHEN it came to her husband Mark’s “grumpiness”, Jean Gurrey put it down to him “just liking a good moan”.
Their whole family saw the humour in his short temper and irritability – but it soon became obvious it was a subtle sign of the killer disease that went on to take his life.
Mark Gurrey because increasingly grumpy and his wife Jean put it down to his age[/caption]
When he began also experiencing mini seizures, he decided to get a CT scan[/caption]
At the same time Jean, 69, noticed Mark, 70, becoming increasingly grumpy, the keen golfer began experiencing mini seizures.
Jean, from Chelmsford, Essex, said: “Mark mentioned hearing music in his head.
“It happened in short bursts, perhaps two or three times a week.
“He could never place the tune and sometimes it was a voice that lasted just a few seconds. He insisted it didn’t trouble him and even admitted he quite liked it.”
After undergoing a CT scan in January 2023, a brain tumour was revealed to be the cause.
Mark underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy as part of NHS standard care, which left him with debilitating side effects including chronic fatigue.
But sadly, in February 2024, Mark died of a glioblastoma.
Jean said: “Looking back, I can see the signs were there, but they were so subtle.
“His good-natured complaining became part of the family’s humour, and we all took joy in it together.
“But what had once been light-hearted and affectionate became sharper; he grew more critical and short-tempered.
“Although it concerned me, in particular, we put it down to age, never imagining it could be something more sinister.”
Glioblastomas are a fast growing type of brain tumour and the most common type of cancerous brain tumour in adults.
They develop from glial cells – the supporting cells of the brain and the spinal cord – and the average survival time is 12-18 months.
Initial treatment had shrunk Mark’s tumour and his personality returned to something closer to his old self.
But then his symptoms started again.
I know a lot of people get brain tumours and live with them for years, but the unrelenting nature of Mark’s particular type of tumour is devastating. It sneaks up like an assassin in the night and takes no prisoners
Jean Gurrey
Jean recalled: “The oncologist spoke to us about trials, but there was nothing Mark qualified for. We trusted her, and she explained that his tumour had recurred very aggressively.
“I know a lot of people get brain tumours and live with them for years, but the unrelenting nature of Mark’s particular type of tumour is devastating. It sneaks up like an assassin in the night and takes no prisoners.”
In July, Abridge Golf Club in Essex, where Mark regularly played, raised more than £2,000 for Brain Tumour Research after captain Kirk Williams nominated the charity in honour of Mark.
Jean is now working with the charity.
She said: “Greater understanding and awareness of this disease, even of its subtlest warning signs, is vital.
“With more investment in research, we can find kinder treatments that extend lives and give families hope.”
Mark was a keen golfer[/caption]
His whole family had seen the humour in his grumpiness[/caption]
Jean is now working with Brain Tumour Research to create greater awareness of her husband’s disease[/caption]
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Mark’s story is sadly not uncommon.
“There are more than 100 different types of brain tumour, making them notoriously difficult to find effective treatments for.
“Despite this complexity, treatment options have barely changed in decades.
“As a charity, we’re working hard to drive the innovation needed to bring new treatments to patients faster – but to do this, we urgently need greater investment.
“With the support of people like Jean, we’re pushing for change. To find out how you can help us campaign for more research and funding, visit braintumourresearch.org.”
The most common symptoms of a brain tumour
More than 12,000 Brits are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year — of which around half are cancerous — with 5,300 losing their lives.
The disease is the most deadly cancer in children and adults aged under 40, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Brain tumours reduce life expectancies by an average of 27 years, with just 12 per cent of adults surviving five years after diagnosis.
There are two main types, with non-cancerous benign tumours growing more slowly and being less likely to return after treatment.
Cancerous malignant brain tumours can either start in the brain or spread there from elsewhere in the body and are more likely to return.
Brain tumours can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS.
They can also lead to changes in personality weakness or paralysis on one side of the problem and problems with speech or vision.
The nine most common symptoms are:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Memory problems
- Change in personality
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision problems
- Speech problems
If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from the ones you normally get, you should visit your GP.
Source: NHS
