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Dad's Headaches Revealed as Rare Brain Cancer
15 Feb
Summary
- A normally healthy father was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor in 2020.
- He developed epilepsy after two surgeries to remove the tumor.
- A recent $10,000 trip was lost due to a seizure before departure.
Jeff Curnow, a father from NSW, initially dismissed his persistent headaches as minor ailments. However, in 2020, a routine MRI revealed a rare brain tumor, a papillary tumor of the pineal gland, affecting him at just 37 years old. This diagnosis prompted two surgeries, one for biopsy and a shunt, and a second to remove the tumor.
Following the surgeries, Jeff developed epilepsy due to surgical scarring, leading to seizures that have caused him to lose his driver's license for extended periods and impacted his employment. Despite being declared cancer-free for over five years, the psychological toll of potential recurrence remains a significant challenge.
Recently, a pre-paid $10,000 fishing trip to Vanuatu was canceled due to a seizure the night before departure. Travel insurance did not cover the loss, as his pre-existing brain cancer diagnosis invalidated the policy. Friends have launched a GoFundMe to help the family financially.
Jeff now urges others not to ignore unusual headaches and advocates for supporting brain cancer research through initiatives like the Mark Hughes Foundation.
