When Mark, 70, began growing short-tempered and complaining more than usual, his wife Jean assumed it was simply ageing.
A year later, a CT scan revealed a glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumour that would claim his life in February 2024 despite surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
Now Jean is sharing their experience to help others recognise the early, easily missed signs of brain cancer.
From harmless grumbles to worrying personality change
Mark had always been a cheerful moaner, the kind of man who enjoyed grumbling about the heating or teasing family members about lost socks.
Over time those light-hearted complaints hardened into sharper criticism and irritability.
People who knew him casually might not have noticed anything amiss, because the changes were subtle and gradual, but for Jean the shift felt different and more worrying, Brain Tumour Research writes.
In the autumn before his diagnosis Mark began reporting brief episodes of hearing music or indistinct voices.
The episodes were fleeting, occurring a few times each week, and he described them as odd but not especially troubling.
Later, doctors identified those auditory disturbances as focal seizures, small bursts of abnormal brain activity caused by the tumour.
At the time, with no headaches or vision loss, the sounds were easy to dismiss.
As winter approached, new signs emerged.
Mark developed balance problems, dropped glasses, struggled with buttons and spoke more slowly than usual.
Socially he seemed off, sometimes staring at strangers as if he recognised them when he did not.
These combined neurological changes prompted the family to visit their GP, initially raising concern about a possible stroke.
Rapid deterioration over days led to a referral for imaging and the CT scan that changed everything.
Diagnosis and treatment: a brief window of hope
Imaging confirmed a brain tumour.
Biopsy results identified it as grade 4 glioblastoma, a highly aggressive cancer with median survival often measured in months.
Mark underwent surgery to remove as much tumour as possible, followed by standard radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
For a while scans suggested the treatment had reduced tumour size and his personality recovered some of its old warmth and humour.
The family savoured precious normal moments, including a large Christmas gathering where Mark spoke eloquently about family and memories.
Rapid recurrence and end-of-life care
The relief was short-lived.
Within weeks symptoms returned and scans revealed a rapidly recurring tumour.
Trials were considered but not applicable, and alternative chemotherapy caused punishing side effects.
When Mark chose to stop active treatment, decline followed quickly.
With hospice support he spent his final days surrounded by family, moving into inpatient hospice care only when the level of medical need exceeded what could be safely managed at home.
How to spot early signs of a brain tumour
Early symptoms can be subtle and easy to miss. Key warning signs to watch for include:
• Noticeable or persistent changes in personality or behaviour
• New auditory or visual disturbances such as hearing music or seeing flashes
• Balance, coordination or fine motor difficulties, for example dropping items or trouble with buttons
• Slurred, slowed or otherwise altered speech
• Seizures, fainting or unexplained brief blackouts
• New memory problems, confusion or inappropriate social comments
• Weakness or facial droop on one side
If someone shows an unusual cluster of these symptoms, prompt medical assessment and brain imaging can be decisive.
From loss to advocacy: pushing for more research
Jean describes glioblastoma as stealthy, striking quickly and ruthlessly, and she now supports organisations that fund brain tumour research.
Greater awareness of subtle early signs and more investment in research could lead to earlier diagnoses and kinder, more effective treatments.
Jean says that the year they had with Mark was precious, but far too short, and urges the public and funders to prioritise better detection and therapies so other families can have more time and hope.