A daughter has told of her grief after a GP dismissed her father’s incurable brain tumour and said ‘he was faking it’.
Stephen Blakeston, from Hull, suddenly began suffering severe headaches and jumbled speech in October 2010.
But after urgently arranging a GP appointment, his family were shocked to hear a doctor say his symptoms were merely ‘stress-related’.
It was only after the former council grounds worker was referred for a CT scan weeks later, that tests showed he had a high-grade glioblastoma — one of the deadliest types of brain tumours.
Typical treatment plans for the ‘aggressive’ cancer — which strikes around 3,000 Brits and 12,000 Americans each year — sees patients have surgery before chemo and radiotherapy.
This is still the same way it was treated in the early 2000s.
Despite months of gruelling treatment, in July 2011 — just nine months after his initial GP appointment — he died suddenly at the age of 53.
Now his daughter, Hollie Rhodes, 37, is urging others not to ignore the red flag signs of the condition.
Stephen Blakeston, from Hull , suddenly began suffering severe headaches and jumbled speech in October 2010
But after urgently arranging a GP appointment, his family were shocked after he was told his symptoms were merely ‘stress-related’. Pictured, Stephen with daughter Hollie
The mum-of-two and PE teacher, said: ‘In October 2010, Mum called me saying he was jumbling up his sentences and not making any sense.
‘He also had a massive headache and was really distressed, which wasn’t like him at all.
‘I couldn’t believe it when we visited the GP, who dismissed his symptoms as stress-related and even said he was faking, something I know my dad wouldn’t do.
‘It was a CT scan at Hull Royal Infirmary that showed he wasn’t faking anything.
‘The scan found a tumour growing on the left side of his brain, affecting his speech.
‘He had surgery the next week, which was successful, but the biopsy confirmed our worst fear — it was incurable and cancerous.’
Diagnosed patients usually undergo surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible.
This is followed by daily radiation and chemo drugs for around six weeks, after which the drugs are scaled back.
Despite months of gruelling treatment, in July 2011 — just nine months after his initial GP appointment — he died suddenly at the age of 53
Radiation can be then used to destroy additional tumour cells and treat those who are not well enough for surgery. But the cancer can double in size in just seven weeks.
Average survival time for glioblastoma is between 12 and 18 months, according to the Brain Tumour Charity. Just 5 per cent of patients survive five years, it says.
The disease killed the Labour politician Dame Tessa Jowell in 2018.
In March 2022, The Wanted singer Tom Parker also died following an 18-month battle with stage four glioblastoma.
Mr Blakeston underwent one round of intensive radiotherapy and two rounds of chemotherapy to halt the tumour’s growth.
Despite experience intense fatigue, he remained positive, Ms Rhodes said.
Scans also showed no signs of further tumour regrowth.
However, in July 2011, just weeks after completing treatment he collapsed at home, after a blood clot travelled to his heart — related to his treatment or the tumour.
Now Ms Rhodes is running the London Marathon in his memory, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research
Ms Rhodes, 37, is urging others not to ignore the red flag signs of the condition. Pictured, Hollie Rhodes with husband, Adam, and sons, Blake and Jaxon
‘Dad walked to my sister’s room and barely got through the door when he collapsed,’ Ms Rhodes, who was 23 at the time, added.
‘We called an ambulance but unfortunately paramedics couldn’t save him, and they told us after about 20 minutes of fighting that he didn’t make it, and he died on her bedroom floor.
‘It was so traumatic and unexpected.’
She said: ‘Although his brain scans were clear, a blood clot was found on his heart, which we’re not sure if it formed because of his treatment or the tumour.
‘It was horrible for us to lose him so suddenly, but there is some comfort in knowing it was quick and likely the way he would have wanted to go. I’ll always miss hearing his laugh.’
He is survived by his wife, Elaine, daughters Hollie and Lauren, and five grandchildren.
Now Ms Rhodes is running the London Marathon in his memory, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
She said: ‘I have personally known three people impacted by brain tumours: my dad, my oldest friend’s little boy, Roux, and another friend’s sister who died after her brain cancer metastasised from breast cancer.
The cancer, which is diagnosed in around 3,000 Brits and 12,000 Americans a year, is still treated in the same way it was in the early 2000s. It killed the Labour politician Dame Tessa Jowell in 2018
The Wanted singer Tom Parker (pictured with his wife Kelsey Parker in October 2021) died in March 2022 following an 18-month battle with stage four glioblastoma. He said after his diagnosis that he was ‘shocked’ at the limited treatment options for GBM and ‘massive improvements’ were needed
‘The current level of funding for research is just not enough.
‘It’s the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, so it should absolutely be a priority to stop these deaths.
‘It almost feels like people view brain tumours as a final prognosis.
‘That whole narrative needs to change because more funding in research would bring hope to those impacted.’
She added: ‘Running is definitely not my forte; my colleagues with tell you that and say I’m forced to do it in my work role.
‘On the day, I’ll be thinking of my dad and how he never got to meet his grandchildren, who he would have adored, with Blake, my eldest, named after him.
‘Remembering his struggles and how a cure could have kept him with us gives me the strength to keep going.
‘Four or five hours of running is nothing compared to what dad and so many others endure. I’ll remind myself to push through and do this for them.
‘Dad was such a hilarious character with a wicked sense of humour. He was always supportive of my sister, Lauren, and me in everything we did.’
Carol Robertson, national events manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: ‘We’re so grateful to Hollie for taking on this incredible challenge in memory of her dad.
‘Her determination and courage are truly inspiring.
‘Every step she takes in the marathon will help us raise awareness and much-needed funds for vital research into brain tumours. We’ll be cheering her on in April.’
