Interview 02

Age at Interview: 16

Sex: Male

Age at Diagnosis: 14

Background: Student; lives with parents and siblings. Has helped to produce a leaflet to give tips to other young people undergoing radiotherapy. White British.

Brief outline:Diagnosed in 2001 with a brain tumour (germinoma); surgeries: third ventriclostomy, two shunts and a replacement valve; 25 sessions of radiotherapy and physiotherapy. In remission, no medication.

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I was out with my friend on the 9th of September 2001 and I collapsed on my micro-scooter going down a hill, blacked out and I was taken to hospital by ambulance where I found out I had a brain tumour and they contacted Hospital, oh, okay. And they took me there and they did some tests on me to find out what sort and I was rushed in to have a, in to theatre to have a outside drain.

Well I had an emergency drain put in to drain the fluid off my brain so. And then I was, it's written down. I've gone blank. I was gradually turned off the life support.

Did you notice anything before collapsing? 

No. I didn't.

Did you feel ill in any, in any way?

No, the only, looking back on it I have only the symptom, I was walking to school and I was like drunk, I was like going all over the place, falling off the curb. It was just like acting a bit.

How long before?

It was the day before, two days.

Okay so it was very sudden?

Sudden yeah.