A 32-year-old man from North Wales who dismissed his brief shooting headaches as nothing serious was later diagnosed with a brain tumour the size of a ping pong ball. Nico Archdale, an equine expert, initially ignored the pain, which lasted only a few seconds each morning, but eventually sought medical help after the headaches persisted for three weeks.
From Healthy Habits to a Life-Changing Diagnosis
Nico had just committed to improving his health through regular exercise and a balanced diet when the headaches began. "I was trying to be more consistent with my routine - staying active, eating well and generally taking better care of myself," he said. However, the headaches gradually increased in frequency and were triggered by coughing, sneezing, or bending over. After a neurologist arranged an emergency MRI scan, Nico was called into the hospital the next day with his family and told he had brain cancer.
"It was a huge shock. I'd gone from thinking it was something minor to suddenly being told it was a tumour - and not a small one," Nico recalled. The tumour had grown to the size of a ping pong ball, compressing his brain and causing the headaches.
Surgery and Ongoing Treatment
Nico underwent brain surgery on January 31, just weeks after his diagnosis in early January. He is now receiving radiotherapy five days a week, followed by a short break before six months of chemotherapy. The treatment has left him struggling with basic daily tasks, a stark contrast to his previously active lifestyle. "Even simple things like walking are all I can really manage at the moment," he said.
Despite the challenges, Nico remains positive, focusing on his support network. "The level of support from my family and friends has been incredible and overwhelming at times," he said. He is also determined to return to his work as a bloodstock agent in the horse racing industry, which has been highly supportive.
Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
To stay motivated, Nico has set himself a major goal: completing a Hyrox fitness challenge, which involves running and functional workout stations repeated eight times. He is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and has already collected over £30,000. "Having something like that to aim for gives me a reason to keep pushing forward, and hopefully show others they're not alone in this," he said.
