My son Jonathan, now 18 was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma brain tumour in
July last year.  The tumour showed itself by changing Jonathan's personality and
making him a very aggressive and angry person, this in itself has caused
Jonathan many set backs in his life as he was expelled from several schools and
has a criminal record, of course at the time we just thought Jonathan was
naughty, on reflection it was of course the early signs of the tumour. 
 
Despite many visits to psychologists, and various diagnosies of ADHD etc, the
tumour was not picked up.  It was only two weeks before he would have died that
he showed outward signs of headaches and nausia.  Again, doctors and hospitals
did not pick up the tumour but diagnosed him with a virus. 
 
Following my insistance Jonathan saw a consultant who immediately saw the
pressure behind Jonathan's eyes.  Jonathan within the hour received an MRI scan
which confirmed that he had a tumour the size of a tennis ball and if it was not
removed immediately he would die.  Mr Shad the surgeon at Coventry University
Hospital operated and managed to remove 95% of the tumour.  Unfortunately it was
a grade 3 cancerous tumour and therefore Jonathan had to receive a course of
radiotherapy and chemotherapy.  That has reduced the remaining tumour enormously
and his prospects and now very good.  He will remain on the Chemotherapy for the
rest of his life, this will ensure that the tumour cannot regrow. 
 
Without Mr Shad, and Professor Brown and Ian Edwards (the onchology team) I
would not have my son.  But not only have they saved his life but by removing
the tumour they have given Jonathan back his wonderful, loving, caring and fun
loving personality so I really do have my son back.  We are definitely one of
the success stories and we are forever grateful for that.  It is now our turn to
give something back. 
 
I would be really grateful if you would support me in trying to give something
back to cancer research without whom I would have lost Jonathan.