A 15-year-old from Pontarddulais, Swansea, has urged others to seek medical advice after a mild headache was diagnosed as a brain tumour. Rhys was initially sent home with antibiotics and nasal spray in December, but his condition rapidly deteriorated.
He developed severe neck and head pain, vomiting, and could not hold his head up. Despite multiple visits to the GP, he was eventually referred to Morriston Hospital, where he received his diagnosis in mid-January. His mother, Clare, said the family visited the surgery three times before he was admitted, and he collapsed in the corridor during one visit.
Two days after diagnosis, Rhys underwent surgery in Cardiff on 17 January to remove an aggressive, fast-growing tumour. He is now scheduled to start proton beam therapy on his spine, a precise form of radiotherapy. Clare expressed relief that they persisted with seeking help, noting that the tumour could have spread to his spine.
Rhys has been receiving counselling from Noah's Ark hospital in Cardiff, which he says has helped him cope. He advises anyone with unusual symptoms to 'just go to the doctor. Get checked up.' The family described the experience as surreal and numbing, but are grateful for the support they have received.
