A young Scots dad was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour after a routine eye test revealed something was seriously wrong.
Stewart Bryson, from Inverness, was immediately referred to Raigmore Hospital by his GP when an appointment at Specsavers in October 2014 revealed a problem with his right eye.
The 34-year-old said: "I had to cover one eye and then press a button each time I saw a dot on the screen. My left eye was fine, but I couldn’t see any dots with my right eye.”
Six weeks later, in November, the senior recruitment consultant had an MRI scan and was shocked to discover he had a mass on his brain.
In early 2015 Stewart, who is dad to Finley, two, and Isla, three, underwent an awake craniotomy and surgeons removed as much of the low-grade tumour as they could but were unable to get it all out.
After the 34-year-old was monitored by MRI scans every three months but in 2016 Stewart was hit by the news that the tumour had grown. This time it had changed and he was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) - a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumour.
"My Oncologist said the average prognosis was a few months without treatment or 17 months with treatment," Stewart explained.
"He said I had a number of positive factors such as my age – I was 28 at the time – and my high degree of general fitness.
“I'm grateful my body has responded so well to the chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Having a positive attitude and temperament has allowed me to just get on with daily life without dwelling on my condition.
“After two years free from surgery, the arrival of our daughter Isla was such a joy, followed 20 months later the birth of our son Finley. The great joy was short lived as a few weeks later a scan showed a tumour had appeared in a different area.
“Bringing up a young family with my fiancé has been my main focus and dilutes the intensity of my health. Being able to return to full-time work also contributes to me enjoying a normal life.”
Stewart had a third operation in March 2020 – one month after the birth of Finley - and then started another course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in May.
The father is beating the odds of survival for those with glioblastoma after six years but the reality of the prognosis still does sit in the back of his mind.
When Finley was born, Stewart’s partner, Natalie Jones, 32, moved back to her parents’ house in Elgin for support, while Stewart recovered at his parents’ in Inverness.
Stewart said: “It was hard being apart and only seeing my young family on video calls.
“As much as I love them, I didn’t want to be living with my parents, and I don’t like sitting down and feeling sorry for myself.
“I’m only 34, but at least I’ve had a life, unlike some young children who have what I have.
“Of course, I want to see my children go to primary school and university, and watch them get married, but I try not to think about it too much. It is what it is.”
Miraculously, so far MRI checks every six months have shown that the original tumour at the back of Stewart head remains stable. The second tumour at the front of his head has virtually disappeared.
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