Edited to add: since writing this, Jody was officially diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme at the end of January. He has undergone an awake craniotomy, from which he recovered very well, however after testing the mass they removed, the team at Southampton General Hospital determined that it was a malignant mass, and an extremely aggressive brain tumour type. The very same sort I lost my late father to when i was in my early twenties. Jody has completed 6 weeks of targeted radiotherapy and chemotherapy, with a month’s break, and is just beginning 6 months of chemotherapy cycles. The majority of his care will be palliative.

—————————————————————————————— On New Years Eve 2019, after months of ongoing and increasingly alarming symptoms which we couldn‘t quite explain, my 43 year old husband Jody was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

So far the information we have, is that it‘s an Oligodendroglioma in the frontal lobe of his brain. The evidence suggests it’s a Grade 2, which thankfully is the non-aggressive, slow growing sort. The pensioner of the brain tumour world, if you will. We’re also fairly sure it’s benign, although this probably won’t be confirmed until it is biopsied.

The current plan is that he is taking a cocktail of steroids to reduce the inflammation around the mass, and will then have surgery to hopefully fully remove it within the next two weeks.

The mass itself is measuring at approximately 5cm - slightly bigger than a golf ball. It‘s also showing signs of calcification, which led the doctor to believe it may have been growing very slowly for approximately 20 years. Despite this, the symptoms have been ever changing, from partial temporary paralysis, to seizures, to stroke-like episodes, and blinding headaches and numbness.

So far we know very little about the expected recovery period, but at the present time, he is not allowed to drive, and is signed off from work indefinitely. Needless to say this has been a huge shock to us all, and has rocked our little family. We’re unsure of the outcome, and what sort of symptoms he may experience long-term.

Reaching out and asking for help is not in the nature of Jody and I, but I suppose if you’re ever going to cash in those favours, now is the time.

Indio (who I’m sure all will know is our wild, Alice In Chains loving 3 year old) is very resilient, as children are, but is naturally aware that his routines are not quite as normal, and he’s spending time with friends and family who he may typically not be used to.

If I can somehow lighten the load for Jody - and the financial pressure which I know he’s feeling a little by being the sole earner in our Sexton trio, then I suppose it’s one less concern for him.

Until then, I’ll do my best to look after him, and update here with any new information. My skills are unfortunately limited, and I think he’d rather I didn’t attempt the surgery myself with a junior hacksaw and a teaspoon. Other than that, I’ve got him covered.

Thanks for reading, Elle - wife, secretary and nurse of Jody