health
A British man says coming into work last minute to cover a colleague’s shift saved his life.
Michael Locke, 50, was working as a porter at Yeovil Hospital on his days off when he suffered from severe headaches and numbness in his left arm. SWNS report.
He was rushed to his hospital’s emergency room, where scans revealed he had an inoperable glioma, which causes swelling and fluid buildup in the brain.
“I had no other symptoms that day until I woke up with a headache,” Locke told SWNS.
“Taking paracetamol didn’t help, but I still went to work to cover my colleague’s shift and I’m glad I did.”
According to , a glioma is a type of tumor that grows in the brain or spinal cord. cleveland clinicand they are cancerous.
![A photo of a man wearing a pink shift.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000043931300.jpg?w=461)
![A photo of a man wearing a pink shift.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000043931300.jpg?w=461)
They are usually slow growing and do not spread beyond the brain or spine.
Survival rates depend on the type and grade of the tumor and the age of the patient and may vary.
Doctors at the hospital reportedly told Locke that he might have died if he had stayed home that day in May 2003.
He now lives with a permanent shunt in his head to help drain fluids.
The tumor was inoperable and continued to grow in the brainstem, causing Locke to have a mild stroke and memory loss.
![A photo of a man wearing a hat.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000043807925.jpg?w=564)
![A photo of a man wearing a hat.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000043807925.jpg?w=564)
![Photo of a man.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000043807926.jpg?w=1024)
![Photo of a man.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/NYPICHPDPICT000043807926.jpg?w=1024)
“My life changed after I found out I had a brain tumor,” Locke told SWNS.
“My daily routine involves taking various medications, but I am focused on living rather than working all day like I used to.”
Locks no longer work in hospitals. Instead, he works part-time as a support worker for a charity.
To mark the 20th anniversary of her diagnosis, Locke will be taking part in the brain tumor research charity Walk of Hope on September 30, which aims to raise awareness of brain tumors.
According to the organization, more men under 70 die from brain cancer than from prostate cancer.
But it’s not rock.
“When I asked about the prognosis, the doctor said, ‘Having a brain tumor is like living with a ticking time bomb.’ That thought is terrifying,” he told SWNS.
“It is important that we continue to talk about brain cancer to get this disease in front of people where we can contribute to positive change for existing patients and future patients.”
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