{"id":478605,"date":"2026-03-16T12:54:15","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T12:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/478605\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T12:54:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T12:54:15","slug":"dad-being-tested-for-stomach-pain-diagnosed-with-brain-tumour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/478605\/","title":{"rendered":"Dad being tested for stomach pain diagnosed with brain tumour"},"content":{"rendered":"

‘I didn’t even know they had scanned my head’\"walesonline\"<\/p>\n

19:12, 15 Mar 2026Updated 20:43, 15 Mar 2026<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Lewis with his wife Keeley (Image: Supplied by The Brain Tumour Charity)<\/p>\n

After Lewis Goodfield collapsed in hospital due to severe stomach pain in March 2025 he received a shock diagnosis that \u201chit him like a tonne of bricks\u201d.<\/p>\n

Having been admitted to hospital for ongoing abdominal issues, a malignant brain tumour was the last thing he expected to be told he had.<\/p>\n

The 37-year-old dad from Beddau said: \u201cFor several years I have had ongoing stomach issues where I\u2019m severely in pain and I end up in hospital for a few days and have tests – but nothing has ever been found.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo last year unfortunately I was admitted into hospital in January. Then in March time I collapsed in A&E and the doctors and nurses assumed I had a seizure, so they scanned my head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s when they found and confirmed five days later that I had a mass on the brain. That came to me as a bit of a shock. I went in with one issue and came out with another.\u201d Always keep on top of the latest Welsh news with our newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n

Lewis said medics understand that the issues are unlikely to be related and that his diagnosis of a grade two glioma was found by chance. He said medics agree that he likely did not suffer a seizure at all and collapsed due to the pain of his abdominal issue.<\/p>\n

Describing the moment he found out about his diagnosis, he said: \u201cIn March within those five days [at hospital] I didn’t even know they had scanned my head.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe doctor came around, pulled the curtains across and he said: \u2018Look, unfortunately with the stomach we have no answers, but unfortunately we have found a mass on your brain.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Lewis, a father-of-two, said he then faced the horrific ordeal of telling his family the news.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Lewis described his shock at finding out his diagnosis(Image: Supplied by The Brain Tumour Charity)<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cIt was quite tough at the time, I didn\u2019t have anyone there with me. I rang my wife and she was at work, I rang my dad and he was at work in a meeting, my mother was 10 minutes around the corner, so she came in and then she broke down.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the summer, Lewis faced two operations: one on his abdomen and one on his brain in an attempt to remove the tumour.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cOn the first meeting with the neurology team they said I\u2019ve got three options. Either they could go ahead straightaway and get the operation done, they could give me treatment, or they could monitor it and see how it goes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said because of the size of the mass and the [then assumed] seizure, the best option to get it done.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn June 30 I had a laparoscopy [on the abdomen] and they found I had adhesions so they removed those, and then on July 11 I had the operation on my head.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lewis said the operation was successful and that although the brain tumour was cancerous, medics believed it had been found early enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing has grown back,\u201d he said. \u201cBut it is a tumour that does grow back – how quick and fast, they can\u2019t predict.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lewis said medics believe the brain tumour may have been growing for a number of years. He recalls having made numbers calls to the GP about symptoms he now understands were likely connected.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI had numerous e-consultations going across to my GP where I was complaining that I was significantly tired during the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would get up for work, be driving and come 10am I would be ready to pull over to have a sleep.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were quite a few occasions where I had headaches, and I always remember when I was admitted into hospital in January and February last year, that was cruel. It was just horrible – the lights, the sounds and the headaches were bad.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Lewis recalls a number of head-related symptoms prior to his diagnosis (Image: Supplied by The Brain Tumour Charity)<\/p>\n

Lewis said since his operations he had been feeling somewhat better until his stomach issues came back with a vengeance in January 2026. He is currently unable to drive or work as a services engineer.<\/p>\n

Describing his life now, he said: \u201cNow I\u2019m in a position where I can try and handle my day to day, but some things are quite tough.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy memory loss is quite a challenge for me at the moment. The long term memory loss isn\u2019t so bad, it\u2019s the short term memory loss – what happened yesterday or the day before.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven watching a programme on TV last night I go to bed and I wake up this morning and it\u2019s like ‘how did that programme finish?’<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not able to drive, so my wife is having to do everything. If it\u2019s not my wife, it\u2019s my close family. The kids play rugby so on the weekend we have to ask for lifts and share lifts.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me it affects work. Before March last year I would be continuously on my own in the van and then there would be a certain amount of jobs I had to get done per day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWork has been absolutely brilliant throughout the whole process, I had been teamed up with someone so [they would] pick me up and drop me [where I had to go]. I was doing half days on a phased return, but now I\u2019m out of work again because of my stomach.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the uncertainty and ongoing issues he faces, Lewis said he counts his lucky stars that he is still here, and able to be with wife Keeley and their children. He said she has been an \u201cincredible\u201d support to him.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cShe has been absolutely amazing with everything she has had to go through and all the appointments she\u2019s had to attend. Everything she\u2019s done for the kids: the school<\/a> runs and picking them up. She has been outstanding from the start.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Lewis with his wife Keeley(Image: Supplied by The Brain Tumour Charity)<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Lewis with his family<\/p>\n

As he continues on his health journey Lewis has found solace in opening up about his experience. He said: \u201cFor the first six months there were probably 10 people who knew about my diagnosis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen when I was going in for the operation I didn\u2019t tell my kids, who are aged 10 and six, so they don\u2019t know the full extent of what I\u2019ve been through.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kept a lot of it back, I was just fighting and fighting to try and remain positive and I think it just got to a point in September last year when everything just hit home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started sharing my story and opening up because it did release a bit of pressure. Some people would see a big scar on your head, or ask why you aren’t driving and assume it\u2019s drink driving.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still suffering with it now, but I think I\u2019m in a better place because I have had counselling sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lewis\u2019s motto is \u201cNever give up\u201d \u2013 and it\u2019s that positive attitude that has led him to challenge himself to take on a Twilight Walk Own Walk on March 14, and raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity during Brain Tumour Awareness month.<\/p>\n

He will also run the Cardiff<\/a> Half Marathon in October to raise money for the charity.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cWalking 30km will be tough for me, considering I\u2019m still under investigation with my abdominal pain, yet mentally I\u2019m strong. I know I\u2019ll complete this.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs someone who loves the outdoors, devising my own twilight walk was a perfect challenge for me. I chose a route that covers my whole village and surrounding area. It\u2019s where me and my Bamp walked many times when I was younger, so it\u2019s close to my heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince I started planning my walk, I\u2019ve been joined by 40 others. It means the world to me that so many close friends and family will be walking with me, with still more joining for the last two miles, including Keeley and our two children.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I put my story on socials it\u2019s surprising how many people have opened up and spoke about their own issues, and it\u2019s good to show my story for confidence mentally and physically to them and to keep fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having smashed his original \u00a3600 goal in just one week, Lewis has now surpassed \u00a33,368. You can support the fundraiser here.<\/a><\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI\u2019m so grateful to everyone who has donated. The fundraising I\u2019m doing is to show support and appreciation for everything the charity does and as I know I will be forever looked after, this will be part of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

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