Man’s ‘grumpiness’ turns out to be brain tumor

By Ben Barry

A man's personality changes and increased "grumpiness" turned out to be symptoms of a deadly tumor.

Jean Gurrey, 69, put her husband, Mark's, 70, short temper and irritability to him, "just liking a good moan."

During the same period, Mark, a keen golfer, began experiencing mini seizures.

A CT scan later revealed that a brain tumor was the cause.

Mark underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy as part of NHS standard care, which left him with debilitating side effects including chronic fatigue.

Sadly, in February 2024, Mark died of a glioblastoma.

Jean, from Chemsford, Essex, said: “Looking back, I can see the signs were there, but they were so subtle.

"His good-natured complaining became part of the family’s humor, and we all took joy in it together.

"But what had once been light-hearted and affectionate became sharper; he grew more critical and short-tempered.

"Although it concerned me, in particular, we put it down to age, never imagining it could be something more sinister.”

During the same time he experienced short temper and irritability, Mark began experiencing mini seizures.

Jean said: "Mark mentioned hearing music in his head.

"It happened in short bursts, perhaps two or three times a week.

"He could never place the tune and sometimes it was a voice that lasted just a few seconds. He insisted it didn’t trouble him and even admitted he quite liked it.”

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in January 2023 Mark underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy as part of NHS standard care, which left him with debilitating side effects including chronic fatigue.

Jean said: "Just a month after being told treatment had shrunk Mark’s tumor and his personality returning to something closer to his old self, his symptoms started again.

"The oncologist spoke to us about trials, but there was nothing Mark qualified for. We trusted her, and she explained that his tumor had recurred very aggressively.

“I know a lot of people get brain tumors and live with them for years, but the unrelenting nature of Mark's particular type of tumor is devastating. It sneaks up like an assassin in the night and takes no prisoners,”

In July, Abridge Golf Club in Essex, where Mark regularly played, raised more than £2,000 for Brain Tumor Research after captain Kirk Williams nominated the charity in honour of Mark.

Jean said: “Greater understanding and awareness of this disease, even of its subtlest warning signs, is vital. With more investment in research, we can find kinder treatments that extend lives and give families hope.”

Sadly, Mark died of a glioblastoma in February 2024.

Jean is now working with the charity Brain Tumor Research, the only national charity focused on finding a cure for all types of brain tumors.

In July, Abridge Golf Club in Essex, where Mark regularly played, raised more than £2,000 for Brain Tumor Research after captain Kirk Williams nominated the charity in honour of Mark.

Jean said: “Greater understanding and awareness of this disease, even of its subtlest warning signs, is vital.

"With more investment in research, we can find kinder treatments that extend lives and give families hope.”

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumor Research, said: “Mark’s story is sadly not uncommon.

"There are more than 100 different types of brain tumors, making them notoriously difficult to find effective treatments for.

"Despite this complexity, treatment options have barely changed in decades.

"As a charity, we’re working hard to drive the innovation needed to bring new treatments to patients faster - but to do this, we urgently need greater investment.