A father of two from Angus was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable brain tumour after experiencing unusual symptoms, including the smell of candy floss. Steve Turnbull, 63, first fell ill shortly after New Year's Day 2024, vomiting after tasting gravy. Days later, he began smelling strange odours such as candy floss, which triggered further vomiting.
Turnbull, an IT project manager from Letham, also suffered vision problems, loss of balance, headaches, and difficulty walking. Despite multiple visits to his GP and hospital, the cause was not initially identified. In June 2024, after being rushed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with suspected stroke symptoms, an MRI scan revealed a tennis-ball-sized brain tumour.
Turnbull underwent a craniotomy on July 12 to remove as much of the tumour as possible. Pathology confirmed it was a glioblastoma, an aggressive and cancerous form of brain tumour. He then received 30 sessions of radiotherapy alongside chemotherapy with temozolomide. When the tumour progressed, he began second-line chemotherapy (PCV), which he completed in July 2025.
Turnbull is now awaiting results of a follow-up MRI to determine next steps. He hopes his story will raise awareness of unusual symptoms that could indicate a brain tumour. 'If my story helps someone push for a scan when something feels wrong, it is worth telling,' he said.
