A beloved dad-of-three has been given just 15 months to live after his cluster headaches were found to be caused by a terminal brain tumour. When Ricky Smith, 39, first started experiencing the headaches in February he put it down to the fact he was working too much.
But they lingered for two weeks prompting his partner Katrina Binfield to urge him to see his doctor. However, they claim he was told to just drink more water and rest.
As the pain continued Katrina booked Ricky in for an eye test, at which an optician noticed blood behind both eyes.
He was referred to Maidstone Hospital, where a CT scan revealed a worrying mass on the brain. A further MRI scan diagnosed an inoperable butterfly glioblastoma.
Ricky was given 15 months to live and is currently waiting for biopsy results to see what treatment he can be offered to prolong his life.
His partner Katrina, from Minster in Kent, recalled Ricky’s symptoms. She said: “He started getting constant headaches for a couple of weeks. We thought at first it may have been a virus. I was ill just before but his lasted longer than mine.
“He is a hardworking man and never takes time off, but he was starting to call in sick and just sit around the house. I said to him ‘Rick this isn’t you’ and ‘we need to get you looked at’.”
It was at King’s College Hospital in London where the MRI confirmed he had an inoperable butterfly tumour.
“The doctor told us this is an aggressive form of cancer and he said how Ricky would have 15 months to live,” Katrina said.
“They said Ricky needed a biopsy which he had on Friday, that went really well. We are in the waiting game to see what treatment Ricky can have to prolong his life.”
Last week, Katrina, 41, broke the news to their children, Louie, eight, Karson, five and Arlo, two.
She said: “Arlo is too little to understand but I sat Louie and Karson down last week.
“Louie is such a sensitive soul so I was really worried about him. He got up, gave me a hug and said ‘don’t worry mum we will fight this’.
“Karson and I were crying and he got us tissues and wiped our eyes.He has been amazing but it still doesn’t feel like this is happening to us.”
She added: “Life is very up and down for us at the minute. There are days when Ricky can be confused and forgetful and there are days where I can see the changes in him.
“That is really hard, I am watching my partner change in front of my eyes.”
The couple’s friends have set up a GoFundMe page in the hope of raising £75,000 to pay for private treatment, as well as a 40th birthday for Ricky and a wedding. It has already raised more than £74,000.
According to the NHS, common symptoms of a brain tumour include:
- Headaches
- Seizures (fits)
- Persistently feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting) and drowsiness
- Mental or behavioural changes, such as memory problems or changes in personality
- Progressive weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision or speech problems.
If you experience any unexplained symptoms you should speak to your GP.