A man diagnosed with a brain tumour after a fall while out running last year has said he never thought 'for one second' such a condition could affect him.
Some 450 people are diagnosed with primary brain tumours in this country each year.
Tony Barry (37) was out running last September and had a seizure. A woman he knew, who is a GP, just happened to be driving past and brought him into hospital.
He told Lunchtime Live an MRI found something he never even considered.
"I was in a sweatsuit because I had two weddings abroad and I was trying to drop a few pounds," he said.
"Initially, they thought it was just dehydration given the sweatsuit on such a warm day.
"I actually hit my head when I collapsed and so they did an MRI and they found a 5.2cm growth on my brain.
"Less than two weeks later I was down in CUH in Cork and I had surgery - they were able to remove about 75% to 80% of it".
Tony is seen after surgery. Image: SuppliedMr Barry said he then underwent radiation and chemotherapy sessions "as a precaution".
"With the chemotherapy, mine is tablet-form as opposed to IV, so by all accounts, the side-effects shouldn't be as severe," he said.
"Only time will tell but it was caught early and they think mine is a slow-growing tumour.
"They think it could have actually been growing for a long time, they don't really know".
Tony is seen after surgery. Image: SuppliedMr Barry said the diagnosis came out of the blue.
"I didn't have any of the symptoms that they say for a brain tumour and I'd be very active," he said.
"I would exercise five to six times a week so never for one second would I have thought something like this would affect me.
"I've never even thought about brain tumours so it came as quite a shock to me and my family."
Tony Barry. Image: SuppliedMr Barry said he has two options moving forward as far as he can see.
“The first option is I sit at home, I feel sorry for myself, [saying], ‘The world's against me,’” he said.
"The second option is [I say], ‘Right, this has happened - not ideal at all - but let's get on with it and one day at a time.’
"I'm not taking the first option," he added.
Wear a Hat Day
Today marks Wear a Hat Day from Brain Tumour Ireland which is its annual event to raise money for brain tumour patients and their families.
The charity is asking people to put on their favourite hat and share a selfie on social media to help raise awareness of brain tumours.
You can text BTI to 50300 to donate €4 to Brain Tumour Ireland.
More information can be found here
The charity says it will provide support and fund much needed research for brain tumours, which kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.
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