A young Edinburgh dad who fought and initially overcame cancer twice has been given a devastating diagnosis by doctors following a recent scan.
Colin Kimber, 34, was initially diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012 when he was just 25 after suffering multiple seizures in the same day. After being sent home, he experienced another and was rushed to hospital.
A brain scan revealed a tumour and Colin underwent surgery to remove as much of it as doctors could. According to Colin's mum, Diane Kelly, the operation went really well.
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Colin was only off for four or five weeks before returning to work as a chef. Over the years, Colin has worked at Edinburgh Airport, the University of Edinburgh and more recently Prestonfield Golf Club.
Two years later, Colin suffered another seizure and was later informed that the tumour had returned and grown larger. He underwent a second procedure as well as chemotherapy and radiotherapy before being given the all clear.
Before being diagnosed with a secondary tumour, Colin met his partner, got married to his wife Hana and is now a dad to two young daughters. At the start of the year, however, Colin was given a devastating diagnosis after experiencing confusion.
The 34-year-old, who lives Broomhouse, has now been diagnosed with another tumour which doctors believe is behaving like stage four type and 'very aggressive'. In a matter of months Colin's world has been turned upside down as his mum Diane has launched a fundraiser to support his family through an incredibly tough period.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live about her son and his battle with cancer, Diane said: "In 2012 he started taking seizures. He was taken into hospital and then sent home but hours later he had another and was then rushed to hospital.
"After a brain scan they found a tumour but he had the operation which seemed to go well. They removed as much as they could and he was only off work for four or five weeks.
"Two years later he suffered another seizure and was told the tumour had re-grown. He then underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy for months and then had scans every six months.
"In that time he was fine and returned to work, he's a really talented chef and and has worked all over the city. Colin did what most people do in life, he met his wife, they got married and she gave birth to two daughters aged three and five.
"At the end of April this year he went for an emergency scan after feeling confused sometimes and they actually detected a different tumour on the right side of his brain, but his scan in August last year was completely clear."
Devastatingly, Colin was told by doctors that his tumour was aggressive and it is behaving like it is stage four. They have also been advised that due to the size and location, they are unlikely to be able to operate again. He is now on chemotherapy and taking each day as it comes.
According to Diane, doctors are unsure on how Colin will react to the treatment but are hoping to prolong his life for as long as possible and it could even cause more harm to operate.
She continued: "Doctors said the tumour is too awkward in terms of size and location so they can't operate. We don't know exactly how long he has got left but we're waiting until the end of July to hopefully get an update.
"That will have been his third month of chemotherapy and hopefully it's a positive update as doctors are hoping to either stop its growth or shrink it. Since the recent diagnosis thing have got hard though, he can't get life insurance due to his health so I decided to start the fundraiser to support him and his family.
"He's not allowed to drive either and some days he is exhausted. It was all just good news after good news then we were told this, it's just devastating.
"To be fair to Colin he always just got on with it and said it is what it is. His wife is currently taking time off work to look after their kids but is hoping to return later this year.
"It's a difficult thing to have to tell kids that age and such a shame for them both. Luckily he was able to go on a little holiday for four days before starting chemo again but they had to stay within driving distance as he can't fly."
Diane says Colin has always been a talented chef but lives quite a personal life. As well as spending as much time with his wife and kids as possible, he is also trying to arrange a big family meal to bring everyone together.
She added: "I think he is angry at life as there are so many bad people out there and this has happened to him of all people. It's just so sad to be honest.
"Back in the day he loved travelling and worked as a rep in Greece. He has always been outgoing and is genuinely just a funny and bubbly person with a huge personality.
"He has always worked to do better for himself and has met a lot of people who he has kept in touch with. Despite his battle with cancer over the years he has done what any young person would do, go out and live their life."
To donate to Diane's fundraiser on behalf of Colin and his family, you can do so here.
