My son had a rare malignant brain tumor on his brain stem when he was 24. They removed it and he had 33 rounds of radiation. He’s been cancer free for 10 years. Through the experience he became a registered nurse to care for people who go through what he went through.
Ed, sorry about the diagnosis. I’m an internal medicine doctor and so likely have a better understanding than most but I’m not an expert. Some basics, tumors can be malignant (cancer)or benign (non-cancerous). The problem with brain tumors is that even the benign tumors occupy space and within the skull there is only limited space. When there is no room for things to expand and increase the pressure within the closed space. Increase pressure is bad. The increase in pressure can cause damage to the brain. So even for benign tumors in the brain they are often life threatening, due to the damage from increased brain pressure. Whether benign or malignant, tumors often produce excess fluid and this fluid is either contained (causing a pocket of fluid, often can be mistaken for an abscess) or more free released around the tumor (causing edema), again both are bad because the fluid takes up space or increases pressure. I’d leave treatment options to your specialists. But in general they can often give steroids to decrease some of the pressure, they may also be able to insert a drain in the fluid is within a pocket, the location of the tumor and type of tumor determine if it is resectable (able to be surgically removed. Chemotherapy is sometimes an option for malignant tumors, but not for benign ones. I wish you the very best. What you are having to endure is very difficult my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Is it normal for such a length of time to elapse before arriving at a conclusive diagnosis? Also, the tumor seems to have grown at least 1 cm in 4 weeks. Would that be described as being aggressive growth?
@@ssddpost Unfortunately from what I've gathered the appears lead them to think that it was an abscess first, so started on the antibiotics/antiparasitic medications. It's not until they took cultures and a biopsy and waited for them to result out that they came to the conclusion that it's a tumor and not an infection. The delay is not that excessive, cultures take a few days to result out, and pathology, I"d hope they could get a preliminary result out calling in a tumor within a day or two, but then more testing to assess the type of tumor takes longer, so I don't think it was excessive. 1 cm over 4 weeks would seem pretty aggressive. It's paradoxical, sometimes the aggressive tumors can be the most susceptible to radiation and chemotherapy. They'll kill someone more rapidly, but they more easily be killed or eradicated.
Without taking a history and full examination and looking at the MRI, it is difficult to say with 100% certainty, but based on your symptoms, based on the fact the radiologist called it an abscess, unfortunately, I would recommend being prepared for the worst, and fly back home to the UK asap. Abscess, metastasis (cancer from another organ), high grade brain tumor, and lymphoma, along with a few other things, can look like an abscess and present on the scan as a “ring enhancing lesion”. Without a tissue sample, you can’t get a full answer from a scan. In surgery they would have seen it isn’t an abscess, so they would have drained as much as they can if it was cystic fluid, and closed. Pending test results would decide whether they treat with just chemo for lymphoma or if an actual brain tumor then more surgery radio and chemo. Full test results take at least a few days to come back because of lab testing reactions take a few days to complete. Based on this story of initially thinking abscess and then discovering tumor, which I have seen a few times, I dont want you to be unprepared - these things are only properly handled in western countries where a team of surgeons oncologist radiation oncologist pathologists and radiologists all come together and discuss your case and decide on next steps combining their collective decades of experience. Let me know if you have any questions and the internal medicine doc above me also added some valuable information so I'm adding to the thread. For Nick, it's not AI they use, it's neuro-navigation for the brain using either Stryker BrainLab or Medtronic Stealth system. It's like GPS for the brain. Negative in medicine just means whatever you were looking for, wasn't there. So, negative for infection in this case. you're correct, usually it can be used in a reassuring way in medicine. Again I strongly suggest going back to UK for further treatment. Source: I'm a surgical doctor in this field (Neurosurgery) in a western english speaking country, It goes without saying that Nick is an amazing human being and a real friend in need when it matters the most. All the best Eddy and a speedy recovery, A longtime fan
@@Mike776h He looks better and sounds better, which hopefully means he's not as weak as he was, especially if he has another op ahead. Tbh, there were times earlier when he appeared to be going downhill fast.
Let"s pray its a non cancerous tumour. Martin Kemp of the pop group Spandau Ballet had two non cancerous tumours removed and he is back working as an actor and tv personality..
Not ones that are growing by 25 percent in a week. Benign brain tumours are typically very slow growing. Ed went from slight issues with his arm and leg to paralysis in a week. I'm sorry but if this isn't a grade 4 glioblastoma I'll be stunned. And very happy to be wrong obviously.
@@willsmith39 & you're a surgeon are you ? you know about the diagnosis & yes the tumour eddie has had grown by 25 percent in a week. so if we were a betting man the odds are not in big eddie's favor & he would need a miracle as you reckon it's a full blown grade 4 glioblastoma. he is not much of a man to be praying but he better jump out of that hospital bed & get down on his hands & knees & start praying to god for a miracle cos' that might be all that might save edward i mean big eddie that is.
it had grown by 25 percent in one week doesn't sound very benign to me. sounds like it's malignant but were all praying for eddie. we hope he gets a miracle & if not at least we have all his amazing videos to remember him by.
@@mattymissytravels The fact that it's growing does not mean it's malignant. Benign tumours grow also. Malignant means SPREADING, not GROWING. That is, spreading to other sites in the body.
Top surgeons can remove them no problem, it's bread and butter to them. If it's benign it's no problem, especially if it isn't Deep in the brain. Don't worry Ed, you'll be grand, you'll be right as rain within a week after the operation
Yea, which just goes to show how sincere his fellow mongers are, they're all there in Pattaya on the doorstep, Were's Taffy for example, all the bullshit they was spouting to each other not long ago about how wonderful they thought each other was, but Ed did say he didn't want anything to do with RU-vidrs aynmore. but there again Ed's said a lot hasn't he.
I had to ha e emergency surgery (PURL because of prostate cancer) in pattaya. Bangkok pattaya hospital was 5 star and the staff were brilliant.They helped me through my darkest moments eg.i got infected. Because of my prostate cancer diagnosis-insurance was out of the question but, I had the AUD$10,000.
A diagnosis isn't bad news - now they can plan a treatment. Bad news is "we don't know what's going on." Hang in Eddy - there are more dirty massages in your future!
Absolutely > if I understand, a biopsy has been taken & results are forthcoming > someone else commented re percentages of approx 75% of the time they're benign > if so & in an area not too challenging to remove it all > prognosis for a full or close to it recovery is quite good > even if not an easily accessible region, assuming the biopsy comes back benign, it's not the worst news by far. I had an uncle who lived a relatively healthy & full life for Decades with a benign brain tumer > he went in maybe every 2-3 yrs to have "pruning" done > if it grew, they went in to prune it back & that proceedure was very straightforward and was maybe a 3-4 day hospital stay every 2-3 yrs > this went on for close to 3 Decades if I recall ...& his brain had absolutely nothing to do with his eventual transition > & this was back in the 70's when he 1st received the diag > & here it is 5 Decades later with all the tech advancements. Remain in positive, hopeful spirits knowing Our prayers are being sent Your way Eddie🙏 & Dear Nick....again You're an absolute Gem Brother 👍
@@user-bc1bd5ig7bbenign tumours tend to grow slowly. Given what’s happened here I’d say the chances of it being malignant are significantly higher than 30%
Thank you so much for this video, Nick. I know that Eddy's fans must be concerned about his condition, but I think it's a good idea if we all remain positive. Positivity will win the day. I am a 76-year-old retiree living in Spain, and I am just recovering from a prostate cancer diagnosis with the help of daily radiotherapy sessions. I know it's not the same as Eddy's condition, but throughout my weeks of treatment I have tried to remain positive, and now there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. Eddy is in the best possible place, and he is being well cared for by the medical and nursing staff. He has every chance of a full recovery, and I know that the thoughts of all his fans are with him every step of the way. Chin up, Eddy. And always remember, 'Cheers'!! 😀
I'm sorry, lad. I've enjoyed so many of your travels while I've been stuck caring for my parents; one of your vids in the RU-vid recommended box has been such a welcome distraction from sadness in my life. I just wish the best for you. You deserve all the good luck that can be mustered in the universe. Best, lad. Best.
Thanks Nick for the updates as always and yes lets see what the next phase from the specialist and the next course of actions, we all hope and pray here for the better outcome of course 🙂
Hang in there Ed . Thanks for the update. May God bless you for making 🙏 you healthy again. Ed this could happen to any visitor visiting Thailand. Hang in there Sir. One day at a time.
Good luck, Eddy, you've got a ton of support out here and we're all willing for you to get better ASAP. Thanks again Nick for helping Eddy and keeping us informed.
A brain tumour is an abnormal growth or mass of cells in or around your brain. Together, spinal tumours and brain tumours are called central nervous system (CNS) tumours. Brain tumours can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). Some tumours grow quickly, while others are slow growing. Two challenges now; one is it malignant & can it be accessed by a surgeon? Brain surgery has improved massively. Good luck Ed!
yes brain surgery has improved massively but not that massively. what eddie has it has grown by 25 percent in a week doesn't sound like a benign cancer to me. could be a grade 4 glioblastoma & that'd be game over. now eddie isn't much of a believer in god or a praying man for that matter but if he was ever going to pray now is the time cos' i think only a miracle from god will save eddie.
Hey Ed, 2 years ago my brother was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer...today, his tumor is 100% gonerz...modern medicine is amazing and there are a thousand reasons to believe you WILL get better M8...we all send good vibes your way :) :)
you don't survive above stage 2 lung cancer i know. eddie might be gonerz soon too but he seemed to be at peace saying he'd got 62 yrs out of life & whatever comes will come & i think eddie has the right attitude there.
Bloody hell.. Though I still think our Ed will get through it - and my thanks to you sir. Ed's got a true friend in you just when he needed one more than any time in his life.
Absolutely heartbreaking for Ed he’s a lovely man met him once in Pattaya! Hope you get better soon mate! Nick Dean you are a legend for all you are doing right now!
Sounds like gleoblastoma multiforme which can be confused with an infection on imaging . Debulking surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy. The most modern of treatments is immunotherapy which is more likely to be available in the UK . I wish him the best . He seems like a great guy . I am a hospital/ critical care physician in the USA
I'm concerned it's a high grade glio too as the speed at which it seems to be growing, 25 percent in a week, makes me think it's less likely to be benign. In fact I'm sure it was it's rapid growth that perhaps pointed them more towards a cyst than a tumour at first. Anyway I hope I'm wrong about all this as typically the prognosis for aggressive glios is very poor. I also agree with you that somewhere in the UK like the NHS Royal Marsden would be a better option for him than a provincial Thai hospital, despite most people in the comments section appearing to think that how hotel like the accomodation is etc is the best indicator of quality
@@willsmith39You have to remember that a lot of people in comment sections have shit for brains. They haven't got a clue about what they're talking about.
Maybe the rapid growth was the associated fluid rather than the tumour itself? After all, he's likely had this thing for ~18 months (similar symptoms back then)
I woke up to a beautiful day , blue skies, got this pop up on my RU-vid, and my heart sank to the floor. Wishing you all the best Ed, for a speedy recovery
Hi Ed, doubt you read this but chin up mate. Let me tell you a story with a good ending. When I went to college around 40 years ago one of my lecturers had a brain tumor. He was successful treated and is currently still very active at nearly 90 years old. Technology advancement is incredible. It's excellent that you had the foresight to firstly seek advice and that they are well positioned to provide you with excellent care to help you. Best wishes from your followers and friends in England 👍
This is extraordinary to me. I look for updates to Ed’s condition. I don’t know this bloke. I don’t follow him…but I’m concerned for him. The amazing thing to me is Nick and Ed’s relationship. He’s two Englishmen (I suppose they are) in a foreign land and they have forged a bond. Nick is outstanding in his helping and Ed’s upbeat attitude, gives anybody in a similar position inspiration. I suspect it’s because Ed knows that has a focused and competent advocate at his side. It’s inspiring watching these to blokes navigate this.
He can definitely talk again, great to see. A tumor - is it malignant (cancer) or benign (not cancer)? Best wishes Ed and thanks for taking care of him, Nick. The good news is he survived that operation and is still alive. Take it as it comes.
God bless you Eddie. I hope the best for you. I've been thinking about putting off my retirement but this shows we should all enjoy our health while we have it. I'll be 62 in a few months and I'll celebrate that birthday retired with a cold Leo in my hand. If anything good has come from this Ed you have helped me decide to enjoy life and smell a few roses. Thanks Ed. ❤
They will zap that tumor out of oblivion Ed don't you worry mate.. my dad's just got over lung cancer my mates dad's just got over prostate cancer and my uncles getting through lung cancer. You will come back looking and feeling better than ever don't you worry God's got you bud.. and it amazing what they can do now. Angels they are you just can't see their wings . Chin up bud positive mindset is what you need now. And your speech is much much better.. Good sign 👍
Travel insurance is typically to treat, stabilise and get back home. He looks fairly stable now (I am not a doctor), I am guessing it will be a transfer back to the UK NHS in due course.
Only recently discovered your videos and enjoying them and obviously shocked at whats happened to you,i had a stroke in Feb 2020 and another after 3 days in hospital I'm still recovering now, my arm and leg were like yours, get this tumour sorted and then every bit of recovery is yours to be proud of, you've already done things that I just don't have the courage to do, You've got this Marra
Sorry to hear about the bad news. 35 years ago doctors thought I had a Thyroid Problem. After the biopsy I was told it was a tissue mass and I had Hodgkins Disease. A form of cancer. It was distressing to me also. You do look better and your speech has greatly improved. All tumors are not cancerous. And the next step is partly going to depend on the size and what area of the brain it’s located. I know it’s easy to give advice. But this a serious issue. Just make sure the doctor is highly qualified. And had a lot of experience dealing with this sort of issue.
Mate I’m familiar with this, the tumour is covered with fluid, so steroids will reduce the fluid in short term. Let’s hope the tumour is primary (started in the brain) as this is potentially curable. My sister has secondary brain tumours (started in the lung) rendering it incurable BUT treatable (meaning she’s on treatment for life). She is 2 years since her diagnosis and currently doing well. The reason for posting this is to show that it’s NOT the end of the road, keep on keeping on. All the best! 👍👍👍
Just remember, it has absolutely nothing to do with those jabs that most people took in 2021......... even though there is absolutely no testing to prove it.
@@live-to-ride if there's no increase in cancers and no red flags they aren't going to test. The medical profession doesn't care about these stupid tin foil claims because they just aren't seeing an issue.
It’s a lottery anyone can get it ! And you know bill gates is injecting cows ,spraying fruit and vegetables,more headphones may actually be microwaving your brain All you can do is do your best,damage control
Eddie I'm so sorry to hear about this bad news. I've been watching your content for about 18 months and you're an extremely entertaining bloke. I wish you all the very best and hope you make a full recovery from this situation.
Hello Nick and Eddy. I have refrained from chiming in, as it is always best to rely on the guidance from the medical staff, and all medical situations are not the same. My brother had what was diagnosed as a brain tumor ( glioblastoma, which mimics a stroke.) He had a biopsy so they could take a sample. This is not without risk, as it "angered the tumor." This resulted in total paralysis on one side. The cancer spread rapidly within his brain, and he needed hospice care until He passed. I say this only for Eddy and you to educate yourselves as much as you can on the impact that treatments may have. Granted, the diagnoses are not the same, but there may be future treatment options discussed that pose risks. My prayers are with Eddy, and many thanks to you Nick for all you are doing.
Keep going mate ,, hopefully it will be a benign one at worst ,, bit of encouragement your not alone , I’m 12 days into a 37 daily radio therapy plan myself right now.
Great to see and hear you Ed, scouse to scouser. Been watching u for a few years now, your videos are great with good content. You sound and look a lot better than last week, wish you all the best mate.
Ed & Nick you both need to stay strong and remain positive. Treatment in this area of medicine has moved forward massively recently. Wishing Ed all the best.
Makes you wonder , when he had the MRI scan at the very beginning how come the tumour wasn't spotted then . That was the whole purpose of the procedure ! . . . 😮
Stay strong Eddie keep positive I’ve been through a similar situation as you and I know it’s difficult the main thing is try not to worry it’s five years since my tumour was removed and all is well now so there is light at the end of the tunnel
We take our health for granted. We should all be grateful for good health and make as much happiness as we can out of it. Good Luck Ed, I hope you pull through.
I'm a long-time subscriber and from same region of UK that Eddy originates. My thoughts are with you Eddy stay positive and thanks to Nick, an evidently very loyal friend, for keeping us all updated.
Hats off to Nick and Dan for looking after Ed 🙏🍻💜👍 keep positive Ed , we are all hoping you have a full recovery. I am sure you’re in the best hands 🙏🙏🇦🇺
Gutted for you Ed...may you have a good recovery. Touched my life via RU-vid and travelled with your info.. A genuine good person and kindly. Best wishes
started watching Eddy's videos through lockdown.. all about trying to live his dream.. these recent videos are all about.. life is held by a silken thread.. hopefully the next video will be good news 🙏
I’ve been through it with my husband. 73 and fit as a fiddle then got rectal & prostate cancer last July. He’s had treatment and all good now. Just enjoyed a hol to Menorca together. Stay positive xxx
