At just 24, Max was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM) in June 2024. A dedicated sustainability consultant and fitness enthusiast from Surrey, Max initially attributed his intense headaches to work-related stress. After noticing changes in his vision, he was referred for an MRI scan and an inoperable brain tumour was revealed as the cause of his symptoms. Max has since had six weeks of radiotherapy and is undergoing 12 rounds of chemotherapy. He decided to document his journey on Instagram showing what it’s like to live with the disease, raising awareness of symptoms and underfunding of investment in research into brain tumours.
Max tells his story…
In hindsight, my symptoms probably started in February 2024 with a feeling of numbness in my right leg. For the next four months, I assumed that the sensation was due to a minor injury in my knee that was impacting the strength and coordination of my right leg.
At the time, I was living near Woking, close to my work in London. Although my job allowed remote work, I often commuted to London to immerse myself in my projects. I loved my work as a sustainability consultant and wanted to give it my all. I structured my days around fitness, friends, family, and work, maintaining an active, balanced lifestyle.
The symptoms started to worsen in May, with an increase in the intensity and frequency of my headaches. I put these down to a change in lifestyle as work was particularly stressful around this period. I looked forward to a planned family holiday in Cornwall, hoping the break would ease the pain. But even on holiday, the headaches worsened. I felt a constant throbbing in my head whenever I laid down, and the numbness in my leg became harder to ignore.
After a workout in June, I experienced a visual disturbance, and my partner Georgie urged me to go to A&E. Thinking I was just dehydrated, I didn’t want to overreact and so Georgie suggested we call the NHS non-emergency line, 111, as a compromise. The call handler initially suspected a migraine but recommended I visit A&E at St Peter’s Hospital as a precaution. After waiting for a few hours, I had a CT scan, which revealed a 4-5cm lesion on the left side of my brain. I was admitted that night and spent several days as an inpatient while doctors conducted further investigations to determine the best course of action.
I was in disbelief. I didn’t think it was anything particularly bad. I hadn’t even considered it could be cancer.
Within days, I was transferred to St George’s Hospital in Tooting, where neurosurgeons performed a biopsy to better understand the tumour. We then had to wait until the full results returned from the biopsy so my treatment plan could be decided based on the characteristics of the tumour.
The waiting period for the biopsy results was agonising. It took six weeks to confirm the diagnosis: a grade 4 glioblastoma (GBM) - a highly aggressive and terminal brain tumour. The prognosis was devastating. I was overwhelmed by the reality of the situation, but I knew I had to focus on the next steps.
Surgery wasn’t an option due to the tumour’s location, so I began a combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton. The treatment lasted six weeks, and while it was physically and emotionally exhausting, I knew it was the best course of action.
My diagnosis has brought overwhelming waves of anxiety. Yet, it’s the unwavering support of the people around me that has carried me through. I cling to the hope of normalcy, trying to hold on to the life I had before this diagnosis.
I want to be fine and I’m trying to not let my diagnosis change anything.
One of the hardest parts has been maintaining hope. The average prognosis for my condition is 12 to 18 months, but I refuse to give up. I allow myself to dream that I’ll be the one to beat the odds. Sharing my story on Instagram (@maxvardybraincancer)has given me a sense of purpose. It’s not only a way to keep in touch with loved ones but also a platform to raise awareness about glioblastoma and the need for greater funding for research.
In September, I started a JustGiving page to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research. I also joined their 99 Miles in November Challenge, which motivated me to stay active. A blend of being in a negative headspace and physically struggling to walk the distance, I adapted by cycling most days.
Now, I’m in the middle of my 12-month of temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. The side effects are challenging - fatigue, muddled thoughts, and physical exhaustion are some of the most common side effects - but I’m determined to stay strong.
My relationship with Georgie has been my anchor through this journey. We’ve been a team since we met in the first week of university, best friends and partners in every sense. From the moment we met, we’ve shared a deep bond, built on love and the shared dreams of a future together.
For years, we spent our dates life-planning, imagining all the adventures we’d embark on and mapping out the life we wanted to build together. We’d talk about everything - from the house we’d design, to the kind of people we aspired to become as we grew older side by side. Those conversations were filled with so much hope and excitement for the life ahead of us.
In September, amidst everything happening with my diagnosis, I proposed to Georgie. It was a moment I’d dreamed of for so long, and despite the challenges we’re now facing, it was important to me to show her how much she means to me. She’s been my rock through all of this, steadfast, supportive, and always by my side.
Though our plans look different now, Georgie and I remain a team, navigating this uncertain path together. Her strength and our shared love give me hope, even on the hardest days.
From the beginning, I felt very connected and aligned with the vision and mission of Brain Tumour Research.
Max Vardy
December 2024
One in three people in the UK knows someone affected by a brain tumour. This disease is indiscriminate; it can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, brain tumours continue to kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, to date, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this.
If you have been inspired by Max’s story, you may like to make a donation via www.braintumourresearch.org/donate or leave a gift in your will via www.braintumourresearch.org/legacy
Together we will find a cure