David Walker’s Journey from a Rare Brain Tumour to Resilience and Hope

David Walker was barely a teenager when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour, a rare pituitary tumour, similar to the one singer Russell Watson battled. The journey from experiencing terrible headaches and blackouts at random times to being diagnosed with craniopharyngioma was far from easy. David’s journey is not just a story of survival but also one of resilience, hope, and finding joy amidst the challenges.

In this article, David shares his journey, from the early symptoms he experienced as a child to his life post-recovery, and offers advice to others who might be facing daunting diagnoses. He talks about the challenges he faced, not only physically but also mentally, and how he found motivation and support from his loved ones and community. David’s story is one of determination, self-advocacy, and making the most out of a difficult situation. Read on to learn more about David’s journey, the challenges he faced, and the advice he has for others going through similar situations.

What were your Pituitary Tumour symptoms?

My symptoms started in when I was six years old, in 1998. I was having terrible headaches. The headaches would get so bad and, over the years, they began to cause a blackout. The headaches came on twice a year for a couple of weeks at a time (June-July and December-January), and were so bad by the end I would be sent home ill.

As I was at school or at my grandmother’s home when these episodes occurred, my parents did not realise the severity and believed the doctors, who’d given multiple diagnoses over the years, finally telling my parents in 2005 that I was attention-seeking.

As well as the headaches, I never had any energy and grew minimally (10cm in 4 years, a tiny amount from age 10-14).

Eventually, I had an MRI which confirmed I had a brain tumour, initially suspected and later confirmed as a craniopharyngioma. This meant that my pituitary was crushed by the tumour every time it grew, causing my headaches and blackouts as the brain shut off all bar the essentials to look after itself.

How are you doing now?

I’m out of the woods tumour-wise (still on scans every 30 months as a precaution), I’m having to battle my weight (my hypothalamus was severely damaged during the surgery so feeling full is something I don’t feel naturally unless I’m about to pop. I also experience a lot of fatigue from my weight and other meds (steroids for my kidneys, immune/adrenal system and thyroid, totalling 16 tablets on a good day!) but I get by, although I do tend to use a day off a week just to crash and rest.

What do you do now in your life?

I work in a call centre and am waiting on hearing back from an interview for another job (also in a call centre in the same field but working directly for the company instead), so fingers crossed! This is the reason I love my job. I work for a large company but I feel I’ve helped a fair few people manage their bills/repayments, get the help they need, etc. and I love 99% of my customers (I will have at least half a dozen a week that I want to keep!)

Any advice for people or loved ones that get daunting diagnoses?

• Listen to your doctor. If you fear you may get a bad diagnosis, take someone with you, with a notepad where possible.
• My parents and I were all mixed up until I started asking questions for myself and reaching out to communities for those like me on Facebook, all because nobody had asked (or even thought of) the questions and had assumed things from half of the reality.
• You don’t need to be brave if you don’t feel it. Nobody expects you to be. I think kids are the bravest when they’re diagnosed as they understand it less. It’s marvellous how much joy you can find on a kids ward. Yes, we’re ill, but we still want to play (okay, if chemo is involved, it changes things, but you just wait till the effects wear off!)
• Be patient with us but, please, don’t treat us like we’re incapable of anything. We will take time to readjust, yes, but part of that process requires us doing things we used to do. Give us a puzzle book to get us writing and thinking again, don’t be afraid to push us a tad and ask us to do small tasks like washing the cups or walking the dog.
• Please, do not allow us to become lazy. That’s a biggie; it’ll be a chore initially but will benefit everyone in the long run.
• And talk. Talk with family, friends, and your pets even. Seek out groups on Facebook for people with the same diagnosis and subsequent conditions. Pages like that have been no end of help to me. These people are in the same boat as you, its easier if we row together.

What is the toughest challenge a survivor face?

The toughest challenge since diagnosis was once my weight and getting a stable scan. My tumour now seems to be gone and now, although I’m still morbidly obese, my weight gain has stopped (well, maybe a pound on here, two of there, etc. you know). Nowadays, it’s a lot about my fatigue and, at times, mental health. There are times things will happen and it goes back to “what if I’d not woke up from my op?” and “what if I’d not had a brain tumour?”

Thankfully, I have found an unorthodox coping mechanism that works: “Tough, life didn’t go that way, you survived, do your best, make the most of the money your treatment has cost the NHS and show cancer/the brain tumour/Ty (I gave him a name!) who’s boss!” Cheesy, I know, but I’ve lost many of my friends who fought it bravely and I’m not taking its rubbish (there was going to be an expletive there but I’ll behave!)

What motivates you?

My motivation is a bit cheesy but I think having a brain tumour does help you reevaluate things. My niece and nephews motivate me to be the best uncle I can be (two nephews and my niece are grown up – 2 at uni, one almost at that stage – whereas the other two are 2 and almost 4 respectively), to be for them if and when they need me.

Because of them and my other experiences, my end goal in life is to leave the world in a better place overall (be it leaving one more smiling person than frowning or whatever, if we all did this, the world would be a better place).

Who is your personal hero or are your heroes?

I have many personal heroes. The first are my friends who I met on the TCU, whether they’re still with us or have earned their angel wings.

Another hero of mine is a dog of ours, well two depending on if you believe in fate. We got a dog in October before my diagnosis, Oscar. He was the best rehabilitation anyone could have. A reason to get some exercise, someone to play with and someone who’d listen to you, wouldn’t pass judgement and wouldn’t tell anybody. Sadly, we lost him in 2013 to a car accident.

However, be it fate or the biggest coincidence ever, my parents adopted a dog, Rusty (pictured), a few years ago from a family friend. He is the spit of Oscar, albeit bigger (Oscar was a miniature Jack Russell cross, Rusty is a regular size Jack Shit, pardon my French). He is just as loving and he has a similar temperament and, to top it off, he was born mere months after Oscar passed.

What would you say is the most interesting thing you’ve ever done?

In terms of interesting things, I’d have to say working with Durham Archaeological Services during my Year 10 work experience. My Head of Year had got me the place when Durham Uni sent out their WE places. Yes, it was favouritism, but I think she knew I was still struggling after my Brain tumour op the year prior, so thought something different would be the best bet. It was only a week (well, 4 days – I missed the first day to receive an award, the SAFC Shining Through Award, for getting through my Y9 Sat’s after my op), but it was really good.

What is next on your agenda?

Well, in the immediate future, I’m waiting to see if I get the job. In the not so immediate future, I aim to just enjoy spending time with all of my family. They’re not your average family but, at the end of the day, they’re family and that’s all that counts.

Tell us something about yourself that people probably didn’t know?

I launched the first official event for Sara’s Hope Foundation when they officially became a charity.

The charity runs a villa adapted to give kids, who’ve had cancer, and their families a holiday which they may not be able to otherwise. This is all in the memory of the couple’s eldest daughter, Sara who sadly lost her battle to colon cancer in 2001.

The event I launched was their Walk of Hope in 2007. At the time, my parents had a pub and, along with our then manager, we organised a fancy dress karaoke night to raise funds. Being based in a local village, many of us decided The Village People would be a good theme. Unfortunately, uptake was that high we had to create our own characters, resulting with me attending the event as a vicar.

Also: it may be a rare brain tumour but it has a claim to fame! It is the same type that Russell Watson was diagnosed with (plus I’ve met two other sufferers in person too!)

Conclusion: David Walker you are a  fighter. What a terrible way to come into your teen years. I am so glad to hear there is no sign of a recurrence of your Pituitary Tumour.  It is fantastic to hear the launch of Sara’s Hope Foundation and officially becoming a charity.