Jean originally thought Mark ‘just liked a good moan’
A man’s personality shifts and mounting “grumpiness” proved to be warning signs of a killer tumour. Jean Gurrey, 69, dismissed her husband Mark’s, 70, bad temper and irritability as him simply “just liking a good moan”.
At the same time, Mark, an avid golfer, started suffering mini seizures. A CT scan subsequently showed that a brain tumour was to blame. Mark had surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy through NHS standard treatment, which caused devastating side effects including severe exhaustion. Tragically, in February 2024, Mark passed away from a glioblastoma.
Jean, from Chelmsford, Essex, said: “Looking back, I can see the signs were there, but they were so subtle. His good-natured complaining became part of the family’s humour, and we all took joy in it together.
“But what had once been light-hearted and affectionate became sharper; he grew more critical and short-tempered. Although it concerned me, in particular, we put it down to age, never imagining it could be something more sinister.”
While he was showing signs of bad temper and irritability, Mark also began having mini seizures. Jean said: “Mark mentioned hearing music in his head. It happened in short bursts, perhaps two or three times a week.
“He could never place the tune and sometimes it was a voice that lasted just a few seconds. He insisted it didn’t trouble him and even admitted he quite liked it.”
Following his brain tumour diagnosis in January 2023, Mark endured surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy through NHS standard care, which left him battling debilitating side effects, including chronic fatigue.
Jean said: “Just a month after being told treatment had shrunk Mark’s tumour and his personality returning to something closer to his old self, his symptoms started again. The oncologist spoke to us about trials, but there was nothing Mark qualified for. We trusted her, and she explained that his tumour had recurred very aggressively.
“I know a lot of people get brain tumours and live with them for years, but the unrelenting nature of Mark’s particular type of tumour is devastating. It sneaks up like an assassin in the night and takes no prisoners.”
In July, Abridge Golf Club in Essex, where Mark was a regular player, collected more than £2,000 for Brain Tumour Research after captain Kirk Williams chose the charity in Mark’s honour.
Jean said: “Greater understanding and awareness of this disease, even of its subtlest warning signs, is vital. With more investment in research, we can find kinder treatments that extend lives and give families hope.”
After Mark’s death, Jean is now collaborating with the charity Brain Tumour Research, the only national charity dedicated to finding a cure for all types of brain tumours.
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Mark’s story is sadly not uncommon. There are more than 100 different types of brain tumour, making them notoriously difficult to find effective treatments for.
“Despite this complexity, treatment options have barely changed in decades. As a charity, we’re working hard to drive the innovation needed to bring new treatments to patients faster – but to do this, we urgently need greater investment.
“With the support of people like Jean, we’re pushing for change. To find out how you can help us campaign for more research and funding, visit braintumourresearch.org.”