A SOLIHULL dad has warned others not to ignore persistent headaches after he was diagnosed with a deadly brain tumour – and has lived to tell the tale.
In 2007 Jonathan Jones was told he would only survive another two weeks without urgent surgery after doctors discovered a grade 3 brain tumour the size of an orange at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire following an eye examination.
The very next day the then 17-year-old underwent life-saving surgery before starting chemotherapy and a six week course of radiotherapy.
The now 32-year-old has been on chemotherapy ever since and over the years his scans have been stable.
In the six years before his diagnosis his behaviour had been extremely challenging, getting him expelled from school and in trouble with the police.
His mother took Jonathan to several counsellors and private hospitals in search of answers.
When his behaviour started to improve he was treated to a holiday in Hong Kong with a friend’s family, which turned out to be a major turning point.
During the holiday he suffered terrible headaches, which he put down to jet-lag and alcohol.
But when he returned home he was still struggling, but was determined to go on another holiday, to Newquay, with his friends after leaving Arden secondary schoo.
He said: “If anyone reads this and is worried about headaches or their behaviour I would strongly encourage them to speak to their doctors.
“My tumour was found very late and could have had fatal consequences, I’m very lucky to still be here.”
When Jonathan was diagnosed he made the decision to freeze his sperm, fearing chemotherapy could destroy his chances of a fathering a child naturally.
When he and his girlfriend Danielle were waiting for test results to come back to start the IVF process they discovered Danielle was pregnant naturally.
And six months ago they welcomed their son JJ into the world.
“My life, albeit the chemo, is perfect,” said Jonathan.
“I have a wonderful son, beautiful girlfriend and have set up a business designing clothes to help raise awareness of brain tumours, which also donates to the Brain Tumour Trust.
“Despite the journey I’ve been on and having to go through more than 170 rounds of chemotherapy, I’ve never felt better and am really enjoying life as a new dad.”
