Paul Colligan, a 51-year-old electrician from Maghull, initially attributed his alarming symptoms to stress, but a shocking medical discovery left his family in utter disbelief and shock. The active cyclist, who used to ride 100 miles weekly, began experiencing vision problems and saying strange things during a ride in December, imagining his deceased father was with him.
From Stress to Serious Diagnosis
Paul's wife, Karen, described how he returned home looking terribly pale and couldn't shake a spaced-out feeling, though he had no headaches. With his mother ill at the time before passing away in January, the couple believed stress was the culprit. However, on December 12, Paul felt "not right" and went to hospital, where doctors suspected a stroke but found none on a brain scan.
Misdiagnosis and Worsening Symptoms
He was diagnosed with transient global amnesia, a typically non-serious condition, yet Paul continued to feel unwell, developing a "pear colour" complexion and remaining spaced out. On February 11, during his son's 21st birthday, severe headaches began, and at his mother's funeral on February 23, he experienced the room spinning while speaking. Relying on friends to drive him to work due to his struggles, Paul's health deteriorated further.
Devastating Discovery
Suspecting a brain tumour, Paul underwent a CT scan that revealed a large mass, diagnosed as a grade four glioblastoma. Karen expressed the family's shock, saying, "When we were told about the tumour, we were in utter disbelief and shock." Breaking the news to their two sons in their 20s left everyone numb, with Paul learning only 2% of people with his condition may live up to five years.
Practical and Financial Challenges
As both Paul and Karen are self-employed, the diagnosis brought financial concerns, with Paul unable to work and Karen focusing on caregiving, leaving them without income. A friend launched a GoFundMe page, raising over £38,000 in weeks, which the family deeply appreciates. Community support continues, with a fundraising event planned in Aintree for Paul's birthday on April 26 as he prepares for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Urgent Warning to Others
Paul urges anyone with unusual symptoms to seek medical attention, emphasizing, "If you have any headaches that are unusual, and they last for more than a day or two, I would definitely just go to A&E." His story highlights the importance of not dismissing persistent health issues, even when stress seems a likely cause.
