Paul Fletcher, 59, had no symptoms until the day before he had a seizure and collapsed in his kitchen
A dad’s occasional forgetfulness turned out to be a sign of a terminal brain tumour – leaving him with potentially just 14 months to live. Paul Fletcher was unaware of his condition until he had a seizure and collapsed at home, just one day before the devastating discovery.
Although he had experienced moments of forgetfulness, like missing turns while driving in familiar areas, Paul, 59, and his wife, Jo, 51, initially brushed it off as nothing serious. But things took a dramatic turn when he collapsed in the kitchen in front of their 21-year-old son, Jack, leading to an emergency rush to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
There, after MRI and CT scans, the heartbreaking diagnosis was revealed: Paul had not one, but two brain tumours. The father and owner of a contract cleaning company was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, grade four glioblastoma (GBM), and given just 14 months to live.
To fight the disease, Paul underwent a craniotomy to remove as much of the tumour as possible and now faces six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the hope of prolonging his time. Jo, who runs a nail and beauty salon and is from Brimscombe, Gloucestershire, shared her deep distress, saying, “We were so shocked and horrified.”
She lamented the loss of their once wonderful life, stating: “This has taken our great lives away. It’s life changing. Never did I think it would be terminal brain cancer.”
The initial symptoms for Paul began on February 6, 2025. Recounting the early signs, Jo said: “He went for a job down the road and missed the turning.”
Woman thought blocked ears were a cold until she couldn’t move or open her eyes Mum with 800 tattoos staying home on Mother’s Day to avoid ‘scaring’ public
Further illustrating the subtle yet ominous clues, she added: “As he came back he missed another turning and thought ‘that’s a bit weird’.” Even when he thought his briefcase had been stolen after not seeing it in its usual spot – only to later find it in his office – they simply laughed off the incidents.
“He had no symptoms before that day – no headaches.” The following day, Paul appeared “vacant” and, without warning, collapsed in the house. Jo found herself racing to his side when she discovered him sprawled on the kitchen floor.
Dad told he should ‘just take vitamins’ for fatigue when he had deadly blood cancer Four symptoms of dementia that can appear with the clocks changing this weekend
She recounted: “There was blood coming out of his mouth. Jack was on the phone to 999. It happened so quickly. It was really scary. All things go through your mind – a stroke, a heart attack. Never did we think it was as severe as this.”
After suffering three seizures, Paul was immediately placed into an induced coma by paramedics before being rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol. Reflecting on the ordeal, Jo admitted: “It was horrendous.”
At first, doctors suspected Paul had a brain infection, but after MRIs and CT scans, the harsh truth emerged – he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
Jo shared her shock: “When we heard it was terminal – it was an out of body experience. We were told he had 14 months. It was horrendous to hear.”
In an attempt to help Paul live longer, he underwent a three-hour surgery on February 20, 2025, to remove the tumours. Jo revealed: “They were able to remove one of the tumours. The other one – a little line still glows up so tumour cells or blood could be there.
“The chemotherapy and radiotherapy should kill those cells off.” As the end of March approaches, Paul is preparing to start chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In the meantime, he’s making significant lifestyle changes to enhance his health prospects.
Tim Spector recommends coffee and chocolate as ‘rocket fuel’ for gut health ‘Free and easy’ way to reduce bloating is ‘highly effective’, doctor says
Jo explained their new routine: “We’re doing the keto diet, we’re exercising. We go for daily walks, have good food, no sugar. He’s having turmeric and green tea. The neurosurgeon said drinking three cups of green tea a day is good.”
Although the journey ahead is challenging, Paul and his family remain hopeful. They dream of travelling abroad with their sons, Jack and Harvey, 26, once Paul’s health allows.
Jo described her husband as a steadfast fighter, saying: “Paul is a very strong warrior.” She continued, reflecting on their current ordeal: “It’s fighting the biggest fight of our lives.”
Red alert as cases of illness caught by UK holidaymakers soar ‘I’m a nurse – this diet causes strokes but here’s how to avoid them’
Determined to make a difference, Jo and Paul have dedicated themselves to fundraising for the Brain Tumour Charity. They are aiming to further critical research and find a cure.
Jo expressed her concerns about the disease, asserting: “They call it a rare disease but so many people have got it.” She added: “There needs to be more trials for brain cancer.”
Jo concluded: “It’s becoming more and more common.” To support their cause, visit www.gofundme.com/f/our-fight-for-hope.
