A brave young doctor has been hailed a hero for vowing to return to work with the NHS – despite living with an incurable brain tumour.
Huw McCandless, 33, underwent surgery in January to remove a brain tumour after suffering a seizure while at the wheel of his car on Boxing Day.
Even though his condition is incurable, Huw is planning on returning to work as a GP as soon he possibly can to do his bit in the battle against coronavirus.
He said: “As a doctor I realised I had to think about what I would say to my patients and then to follow that advice myself.
Positive
“Being positive is so important… trying not to dwell on the negatives.”
Today (Weds) is Huw’s 33rd birthday and he is celebrating by doing a 5km run in the garden of his home in Disley, Cheshire.
He said: “Getting exercise can have a huge impact on well-being as can doing the things you love.
“For me that is cooking and going out for walks with my wife Laura and our dog Dexter.”
Huw’s positive attitude is particularly remarkable considering he has spent the last six months undergoing daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy, with the “incredible” help of the Brain Tumour Research charity.
His final session is today (Weds) and he is celebrating that, along with his birthday, by hosting a virtual birthday party with friends and family.
After a month off treatment, Huw hopes to be well enough to restart another course of high-dose chemotherapy which, this time, will last for six months.
He said: “As a GP I am extremely frustrated that I am unable to help patients and am keen to explore ways I can do this.
“I have been employed by the NHS for eight years and it is very difficult that now, of all times, I am unable to use my training and experience to help in the fight against coronavirus.”
Despite his upcoming treatment Huw has vowed to return to work as soon as possible.
Huw’s mum Jackie Carter, a professor in social sciences at the University of Manchester, said: “It’s not the birthday we would have planned for him but I am sure we will have a great time.
Support
“Nobody knows what the future holds and, like so many people at the moment, we really understand the value of support from family and friends.
“I always knew Huw was going to go into a caring profession, he has such a natural affinity with people, he is resilient and resourceful and takes things one step at a time.
“He is a tower of strength and manages to find a way of coping no matter what comes his way. I am very proud of him and hope that people will be inspired by him, as I am.”
Matthew Price, Head of Community Fundraising for Brain Tumour Research in the North, said: “We are very grateful to Huw sharing his story and I am sure people will be inspired by it.
“His positivity is remarkable particularly given the difficult times we all now face.
For more information about Brain Tumour Research and how you can help visit: www.braintumourresearch.org
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