A man who loves running marathons was surprised to learn that his supposed hangover symptoms were actually caused by two brain tumors, one of which was as big as a tennis ball. George Wade, aged 42, initially ignored his discomfort after a fun day at Cheltenham races in Gloucestershire with friends last March.
While returning to Thirsk in North Yorkshire, he started experiencing severe headaches, memory problems, and nausea triggered by car headlights. George, an experienced runner with 20 marathons under his belt in 15 years, felt better as the symptoms eased. However, in April, he encountered stroke-like symptoms with weakness on his left side and a drooping face.
Despite initial clear test results, his brother-in-law, Dr. Caspar Wood, arranged an MRI scan as a precaution, revealing the presence of two brain tumors. Following an eight-hour debulking surgery, George, who works as an auction software engineer, underwent six months of chemotherapy tablets and now needs tri-monthly MRI scans to monitor any tumor growth.
George is actively raising funds for charity by auctioning painted gavels through The Gavel Trail and Auction, a project he leads under the Bidpath Foundation. Reflecting on his diagnosis, George expressed his shock and feelings of helplessness upon learning about his brain tumors. He described the challenging treatment process, including experiencing a unique psychosis due to steroid side effects.
After experiencing headaches and sickness post-Cheltenham, George felt fine and even went on a skiing trip to Austria without any health issues. However, on April 14, he faced stroke-like symptoms, leading to the discovery of the brain tumors. Despite various treatments and surgeries, George remains optimistic and committed to his recovery journey.
George has raised nearly £50,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity and the National Brain Appeal, with a goal to reach £100,000 by the end of the year through The Gavel Trail and Auction. He has undergone multiple surgeries and continues to have regular MRI scans to monitor his condition. George emphasized his gratitude for modern medical advancements and the support he has received throughout his challenging journey.