‘Fit and healthy’ man, 31, given years to live reveals the first sign of killer that he blamed on ‘working long hours’
A FIT and healthy weightlifter chalked up red flag symptoms to "working long hours" and "not drinking enough water" - but was given just years to live after a terrifying seizure landed him in a coma.
Scott Hinch, 31, led a fit and active lifestyle and had no significant health problems - aside from "experiencing a few headaches and nosebleeds".
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But on his way to work on August 19, 2019, he suffered a seizure and was rushed to Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales.
He was put in an induced four-day coma after the seizures continued for 45 minutes.
After waking up, an MRI revealed a grade 2 astrocytoma - a type of tumour that usually develops in the brain or spinal cord - and he was given just three to five years to live.
Scott realised the headaches and nosebleeds he'd experienced over the last few months were in fact warnings signs of the cancer.
On September 4, Scott underwent emergency surgery to partially remove the tumour and started aggressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy to keep the cancer at bay.
But despite its initial success, Scott's cancer returned two years later, at the end of 2023, and he began his second round of treatment - which involved 20 months' worth of intensive chemotherapy, condensed into 10.
He is now undergoing his third round of treatment for his tumour and says he suffers from "relentless fatigue" and that he is "dependent" on his mum, Fiona Lott, 51, because he "can't leave the house most days".
Scott, who worked as a solar engineer from Abergavenny, Wales, said: "Looking back, I now realise there were signs.
"Headaches, nosebleeds, things I chalked up to long work hours.
"Maybe heavy training at the gym and not drinking enough water.
"I even went to the opticians, but nothing was picked up.
"Most days, I can't leave the house.
"But I'm still here, and that's something I'm grateful for."
Scott was diagnosed with a grade 2 astrocytoma after suffering a seizure on his way to work on August 19, 2019.
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Although the general prognosis is good - people with a grade 1 have a 96 per cent chance of survival after five years - it can decrease to below 30 per cent for those with grade 3 or higher.
Scott woke from a four-day coma induced coma when a consultant told him the "devastating" news that he had three to five years to live.
"I had no memory of anything since leaving the house," he said.
"I had four days completely missing, I remember setting off for work and then waking up in the hospital with doctors and nurses over my bed.
"It was frightening.
"I was shocked and scared and didn't know what was going on."
Astrocytoma is a common type of primary brain tumour, which means it starts in the brain instead of spreading there.
Astrocytomas start in stem cells, which eventually develop in to one of the different types of brain cells, such as astroctyes.
Astrocytes are brain cells that connect and support nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
As astrocytes are found throughout the brain, astrocytomas can occur in many different areas of the brain.
These tumours grow from cells that are vital in processing information in the brain, so they can disrupt the function of whichever area of the brain they are growing in.
Some of these tumours grow in the cerebellum, which controls balance.
They can also occur in the optic pathways, which are involved in sight.
So, symptoms can be very different between people affected by these tumours. That being said, common astrocytoma symptoms could include:
- Headaches
- Difficulty speaking
- Change in vision, like double vision or blurriness
- Cognitive difficulties, like trouble thinking or remembering
- Seizures (epilepsy)
Source: The Brain Tumour Charity
The consultant at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, Wales, explained to Scott and his family that due to the tumour's diffused nature, only part of it could be safely removed.
The procedure took place on September 4 and Scott recalled being "terrified".
"But I woke up a couple of hours later, cracked a joke, and asked for a cup of tea," he said.
"It was a relief to know my brain function was intact."
After the surgery, Scott went through 16 "gruelling" months of therapy - including seven weeks of radiotherapy and 12 cycles of chemotherapy - which kept things stable for two years.
But a routine scan towards the end of 2023 revealed the tumour was active again and Scott started his second round of treatment with intensive chemotherapy - with no success in curing the cancer.
"I take it one month at a time," he said.
"The fatigue is relentless and most days I can't leave the house."
His mum, Fiona, became his full-time carer and was "dependent on her" for everything.
During this time, the 31-year-old had lost his driving licence as a result of his seizures and sold his car.
"I felt like losing my independence," he said.
"I couldn't visit friends, and the risk of infection meant limited visitors.
"I felt incredibly isolated."
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Five years later, Scott is still battling cancer and is now undergoing his third round of treatment.
But he remains determined.
"I'm still here, and that's something I'm grateful for," he said.
To help raise awareness, his mum, Fiona, and auntie, Lyndsey, are taking on the 200k in May Your Way challenge to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research Charity.
Fiona said: "Watching my son go through the trauma of surgery and three rounds of treatment for brain cancer has been heartbreaking.
"No family should have to experience the fear, uncertainty and pain that we have.
"We need better outcomes, kinder treatments, and ultimately a cure.
"If our efforts can help spare just one family from this suffering, then every step will be worth it."
You can support Fiona and Lyndsey's 200k In May Your Way challenge here.
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thesun
