Agony as Motherwell dad’s treatment ceases

David McCulloch, 52, a self-employed monumental sculptor, lost his aunt and her daughter to the same devastating disease.

He is now self-isolating along with wife, Yvonne, his parents who are in their 80s, sons Aidan, 25 and Daniel, 27, and two dogs.

David said: “It was terrifying when I discovered, after experiencing a big seizure, that I had the same condition which took my 67-year-old aunt in Wishaw, Margaret O’Kane, as well as her youngest daughter, Angie Jones, who was 36 and living in East Kilbride, within a year of each other.

“Because of the position of my brain tumour, it was too risky to operate, but I had a biopsy which indicated that the tumour was cancerous.

“Unfortunately, the biopsy has left me with poor memory and my right hand paralysed. I have had to stop working as I can’t control my hand to use my sculpting hammer. Added to that, I have had to give up my driving licence for at least three years.

“In November last year, I began six weeks of radiotherapy treatment to help slow the cancer and in January this year I started on what I was told would be 12 months of chemotherapy.

“In fact, my last chemotherapy was in March – I didn’t have my April cycle. I have been told that I won’t be seen again until July. It’s very scary wondering what’s happening, whether the tumour is growing, and what the consequences of stopping the chemotherapy will be.”

Brain Tumour Research spokesman Hugh Adams said: “It’s impossible not to be touched by David’s story and, sadly, he, Margaret and Angie are not alone – some 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year and, despite the fact they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, historically, just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this disease.

“Like many organisations the coronavirus pandemic has meant a massive financial hit for us, particularly with the cancellation and/or postponement of challenges like the London Marathon, and we are anticipating a loss of 50 per cent of income in the following three months.”

To make a donation to the charity contac t www.braintumourresearch.org/donation.

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