Jenny Medlicott
A dad who has had to fend off four brain tumors over the last 14 years has revealed the bizarre symptom he experienced before his diagnosis.
Dan Horrocks, 33, was first diagnosed with a brain tumor back in August 2011 after receiving a free eye test at an opticians.
The optician noticed swelling on Dan’s optic nerves during the eye scan, and just one day later he was having brain surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Birmingham, UK and a round of radiotherapy.
But just when Dan thought the nightmare was over, three years later in 2014 he was diagnosed with another brain tumor, then a third in 2018, and finally another in October last year.
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Following his latest round of treatment, Dan has revealed an unusual symptom he experienced before one of his diagnoses - and it's bizarre.
Ahead of his third diagnosis, Dan said he started craving olives - despite having never liked them before. And not only that, but he also started craving spinach and tomatoes for breakfast too.
The third tumor was picked up in a routine scan, but Dan and his wife, Sonia Khan, noticed the unusual symptom beforehand.
All of Dan’s tumors have been ependymomas - rare tumors which usually affect children around age five or adults around age 45.
He had brain surgery in November and spinal surgery in December for his latest diagnosis, but the tumors are in cells which line the paths where cerebral spinal fluid moves through the spine, and the cancer could come back anywhere in his spine or brain.
Doctors have said that Dan has had the maximum radiotherapy they can safely give him on the NHS, and chemotherapy is only likely to be 14 percent successful in treating his tumors.
Now on his 'last roll of the dice', Dan is raising money to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, to explore new treatments including genetic testing to find a personalized remedy.
He and his wife have raised over $60k (£50k) so far - exceeding their fundraising goal by over $10k.
The money will be spent on travel and consultations - including genetic tests on Mr Horrocks and his tumor samples - to see if a personalized treatment can be found.
Dan was diagnosed with his first of four brain tumors after suffering excruciating headaches, sickness, and dizziness. He had to learn to walk, talk and 'think' again after his first surgery.
Following the influx of donations for his fundraising mission, Mr Horrocks said he was 'bowled over' by the generosity he's received.
He said: "I'm so shocked and overwhelmed with how quickly the money has come in. This could be the first step towards an innovative new treatment we can bring to the UK.
"The NHS staff have all been amazing - they said they can do surgeries but not much else more. That felt a bit like the end of a road and I've always tried to avoid that."
If you'd like to donate to Dan's GoFundMe, you can do so here.