Dad found ‘talking gibberish’ in front of TV diagnosed with brain tumour

A man has been diagnosed with a brain tumour – with his first symptom showing as ‘talking gibberish’ in front of the TV.

Tim Rayment, 61, from Farnborough in Hampshire was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in 2020 after he was taken to hospital by his wife when he was found unable to speak coherently in front of the TV. She assumed at the time he could be having a stroke and rushed him to A&E, however, doctors found Tim had a glioblastoma (GBM).

Son-in-law Harry Maynard, 29, from Deepcut, Surrey, said: “He was at home when he had a really funny turn. He was watching the rugby when his wife came in from the garden and found him talking gibberish and not acting himself.

Tim Rayment and son-in-law Harry Maynard at the Windsor Half Marathon.

Harry, from Deepcut, Surrey, is now taking part in running events to raise money for Brain Tumour Research

“She took him to A&E thinking he was having a stroke and it turned out to be a GBM. He’d had no symptoms up until then. Tim and I are really close. He’s like another father figure to me. He’s fantastic and has done amazingly well throughout all this.

“He’s just taken it in his stride, which is admirable considering how horrific it’s been. Thankfully he’s still got a good quality of life.”

Harry is now taking part in running events to raise money for Brain Tumour Research to raise money on behalf of his father-in-law. Harry completed the Windsor Half Marathon on Sunday (September 24) and has signed up for the Farnborough Half Marathon next year in addition to the capital’s full-distance event.

Retired company director and dad-of-two, Tim was at the Windsor race’s finish line on Sunday to Cheer Harry on. “He was definitely touched by it – it was a really emotional day,” Harry continued. “I was focused on what I was doing but the support was amazing. Some people were doing well and others were finding it a bit tough but I think that’s what I enjoy most, the support from the crowd and the runners cheering each other on.

“It was a bit windy and rained for a couple of minutes but got up to about 18 degrees so was perfect running conditions. His illness has hit us all really hard and I think he’s just really grateful for everything I’m doing, which is lovely.”

Tim has had an awake craniotomy followed by 10 sessions of radiotherapy and 12 months of chemotherapy. He is also currently on his first round of another 12-month course of chemo, having had to have repeat surgery and radiotherapy following regrowth.

His type of brain tumour has a prognosis of between 12 and 18 months, according to Brain Tumour Research. They are a highly aggressive and malignant form of brain cancer, and at present, are generally considered to be incurable, the charity’s website said.

Harry has completed the Windsor Half Marathon twice before. He added: “With what’s been happening with Tim the last few years, I’ve now got a reason to do it. He’s going to be my biggest cheerleader. It’s unbelievable how little funding brain tumour research gets, especially considering how devastating the disease is.

“It doesn’t make sense that cancers with a lower mortality rate receive so much more than brain tumours which kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer. It’s just not right.”

Community development manager for Brain Tumor Research, Charlie Allsebrook, commented: “With one in three of us knowing someone affected by a brain tumour, Tim’s story is, sadly, not unique.” She added: “Brain tumours kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer, more women under 35 than breast cancer, and more children than leukaemia.

“We’re determined to change this, but it’s only by working together we will be able to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure. We’re really grateful to Harry for taking on this challenge for us and look forward to cheering him across the finish line at the London Marathon next year. We wish Tim well with his ongoing treatment.”

Symptoms

The symptoms of a brain tumour depend on where it is in the brain, according to the NHS.^[3]

Common symptoms include:

• headaches (often worse in the morning and when coughing or straining)
• fits (seizures)
• regularly feeling sick (vomiting)
• memory problems or changes in personality
• weakness, vision problems or speech problems that get worse

See a GP if you have symptoms of a brain tumour that don’t go away. It’s unlikely to be a tumour, but it’s best to be sure.

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References

1. ^{^} Pensioner died ‘alone and confused’ after 14-hour ambulance wait telling 999 he ‘doesn’t remember last 12 hours’ (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
2. ^{^} Frugal university student saves £60 a month by making her own oat milk and bringing tea bags to campus (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
3. ^{^} according to the NHS. (www.nhs.uk)
4. ^{^} HERE. (www.getsurrey.co.uk)