Andrew Yeomans collapsed at his desk in work with a seizure in January 2017. Since then he has been fundraising for the Neurosurgery Unit at the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) which helped prolong his life.
Andrew said: “I collapsed at my desk in work with a seizure in January 2017 and was taken to Morriston Hospital by ambulance. I stayed there for three nights and was transferred to the Neurosurgery Team at the UHW. The team found I had a brain tumour which I had removed in April 2017 and I had been told that the surgery was successful.
“I was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma, which is a rare type of brain tumour. Since the operation I have been having MRI scans and follow up appointments at UHW every six months. From what I can recall my original prognosis of 4-6 years has been extended as a result of the positive scan results.
“I am now back in work full time and I am trying to make the most of whatever time I have left. I returned to work on the 4th October 2017 and decided that as part of my usual Movember charity fundraising in aid of men’s health, I would split the amount raised 50/50 so that I could give some to the Neurosurgery Unit to show my gratitude for the care I received and continue to receive.
“From then on I have continued to raise money, which I hand over at my six monthly visits to the team.
“I plan to continue doing this and keep adding to the amount I have already raised. I have had the full backing of my employer South Wales Trunk Road Agent as apparently I am quite liked and well thought of. I’d like to thank my colleagues for their fundraising support.
“I will be forever grateful to all the staff that took care of me as both an inpatient and outpatient.”
Andrew, who lives just outside Neath and his colleagues at South Wales Trunk Agent have held cake sales, five a side football games, walked Pen y Fan, worn silly hats and static cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
Jo Shires, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Neurosurgery at the University Hospital of Wales said: “It’s lovely to hear that Andrew is doing well. I’d like to sincerely thank Andrew and his colleagues for fundraising for our unit. This will really help us to improve the patient experience of those suffering from low grade glioma brain tumour.”
To find out more about how you can donate to Cardiff & Vale Health Charity visit www.healthcharity.wales