Darren Harris had from tinnitus for years but never thought it would lead to something so serious
Darren Harris with his treatment frame
A man was given a devastating diagnosis after years of suffering from tinnitus. Darren Harris, 59, was referred for a routine hearing test by doctors following his diagnosis of tinnitus two years prior.
Further treatments and MRIs revealed that he had been living with an inoperable tentorial meningioma – a slow-growing, low-grade tumour at the base of his brain. Darren underwent gamma knife radiosurgery, costing £35,000, at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield to destroy the tumour cells while sparing healthy tissue.
The procedure involved attaching a metal cage to his face to keep him still so they could map his tumour in 3D and precisely target it. The treatment was successful, but Darren has since developed epilepsy, lost his driving licence and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation – a heart condition caused by the stress of seizures.
As a result, he has undergone multiple heart procedures and continues to live with neurological side effects like visual impairment and pins and needles down his left side. To mark 10 years since his diagnosis, Darren and his wife Sharon, 57, hosted a fundraising event for Brain Tumour Research, raising more than £800 through an evening of meditation, spiritual messages and a tombola.
Darren Harris, 59
Darren, a retired IT functional analyst from Paignton, said: “I had tinnitus for a couple of years, and my doctor sent me for a hearing test. They did a few treatments that helped and did an MRI, but then I was called back for more MRIs, one after another.”, reports Bristol Live.
“I knew something wasn’t right, but no one would tell me why. When I was finally referred to a neurosurgeon, my world fell apart. They told me I had a brain tumour.
“Reaching 10 years since my brain tumour diagnosis is something I never take for granted. I know how incredibly lucky I am to still be here, and that’s only because of the treatments and knowledge we have today.
“But too many people aren’t as fortunate, and that’s why funding into brain tumour research is absolutely vital. We need continued investment so that more people can reach milestones like this, and so families in the future have real hope, better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.”
Darren Harris’ brain tumour
Diagnosed in March 2015, Darren underwent gamma knife radiosurgery – a treatment that utilises over 300 beams of radiation to obliterate tumour cells. Darren commented: “It was cutting-edge.
“They bolted a metal frame to my skull to keep me completely still, mapped the tumour in 3D, and then targeted it precisely. The treatment cost £35,000.
“Luckily, I had private health insurance, but many families can’t afford that. We need more research and funding so that everyone can access the best treatments.”
Having raised over £800 at his recent fundraising event, he was determined to do “something positive”. He explained: “It’s been a long road, but we believe in giving back.
“For anyone at the start of their brain tumour journey, take one day at a time and listen to your surgeons. For those that can, please donate to the Brain Tumour Research Christmas Appeal. A donation of as little as £5 can fund vital research that will ultimately save lives and give people like me hope for the future.”
Darren Harris and wife, Sharon
Brain Tumour Research supports sustainable research at specialist centres throughout the UK and is championing the campaign for a national annual investment of £35 million to enhance survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.
Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, commented: “Darren’s courage and willingness to share his experience help raise awareness of the need for greater investment in brain tumour research and improved access to life-saving technology. We hope that Darren’s story inspires others to support our Christmas appeal.”
To support Brain Tumour Research and to contribute to the Christmas appeal visit: https://braintumourresearch.org/pages/give-hope-this-christmas.