Dad with brain tumor is given just weeks to live, four months after the birth of his daughter

Alex Lewis-Mayhew looks serene, lying with his baby girl in his arms, but his adoring stare is tinged with sadness. The 40-year-old has been given just weeks to live, four months after celebrating the birth of his 'miracle' daughter. 

He was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour in 2005 but managed to stave off the disease for seven years. But, in 2012, the cancer returned aggressively and on August 13 he was dealt the devastating blow that he was unlikely to live for more than a month.

He is no longer eligible for further surgery and has exhausted all standard chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. Currently too weak to be able to hold his baby, Augustyna, he is now fundraising for alternative therapies to keep him alive, so he can make as many memories as possible before he passes away.

His wife Rachel, 46, said the joy of having their first child together soon turned to despair when they were given the news he would not be there to see her grow up.

She said:

 “Having our first baby together was supposed to be the happiest time of our life but it is very much bitter sweet knowing Alex has just weeks left with us. This year was going to be so special as we became parents for the first time after just one cycle of IVF which used all the money we had. Alex reached 40 and we will have been married for 10 years in October. We were hopeful that he would beat the disease like he first did in 2005 but that dream was torn away from us”.

“Alex wants to spend his last weeks at home with me and Augustyna so we are having a hospital bed delivered this week. He is currently too weak to even hold his daughter but I know being around her uplifts his spirits. It's devastating seeing him so ill but I'm cherishing every moment we spend together as a family as I know there are so many things he is going to miss out on watching our baby girl grow up”.

Medulloblastoma

A medulloblastoma is a type of brain tumor, which is rare in adults but more common in children. The malignant tumors form from primitive or poorly developed brain cells.

Symptoms include:

·         nausea and vomiting
·         lethargy and irritability
·         headaches
·         clumsiness
·         difficulty with school work
·         changes in personality and behavior
·         walking abnormally

If the tumor spreads to the spinal cord, symptoms can also include:

·         back pain
·         difficulty walking
·         problems with bowel and bladder control

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