I was told I was just stressed at work but now I’m blind and I’m living with a death sentence
A YOUNG man has been left blind after doctors warned he was suffering "work stress".
Andi Peel, 29, started complaining of severe headaches in August 2019.
He went to his GP when they didn't stop, but was told it was probably migraines due to his job running a Carphone Warehouse store.
But as the pain continued he ended up having a panic attack, suffering confusion and memory loss, and was referred to hospital.
Medics there also assumed it was down to work stress and discharged him.
But months later in January 2020, medics discovered a brain tumour, after he was forced to pull over while driving due to the pain.
He was told he had glioblastoma multiforme - a fast growing tumour that develops in the brain.
Andi, from Leicester, is now completely blind despite radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
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His aunt, Deb Peel, 48, from Groby, Leics., said: "When we got confirmation that it was a GBM, it was like a death sentence.
"Andi didn't want to know how long he had to live, but Google will tell you it's 12 to18 months.
"Andi had the tumour removed at Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
"Since then, he has had some seizures - one of which resulted in him dislocating both of his shoulders.
"Since December 2020, Andi hasn't had a stable scan. They show that the tumour has grown, and we've been told there is no longer any treatment available for him.
"His vision started to deteriorate in October 2021 and he is now totally blind."
Mum-of-two Deb, a teacher, will now walk 10,000 steps every day in February to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
'DEATH SENTENCE'
She said: "I was in total shock. Andi is like my third son, so I was in utter disbelief at the thought of losing someone so important to me.
"The inspiration comes from Andi who is so amazing. He's an absolute warrior who has never given up or felt sorry for himself.
"Until you have to face this sort of reality, you don't understand how stark the facts are.
"Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
"If something simple like going for a walk can raise money to ensure other families don't go through this, then that is priceless."
Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "We're really grateful to Deb for taking on this challenge for us as it's only with the support of people like her that we're able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Andi who are forced to fight this awful disease.
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"The best part of the 10,000 Steps a Day in February Challenge is that you can fit your steps in with your everyday life.
"That could be having a coffee and catching up with friends at your local park, walking your commute or school run instead of driving, getting off the bus a few stops earlier or walking around your house whilst on the phone."
