09:43, 01 Jun 2025<\/p>\n
![\"Liam](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_Kim-Horton.jpg\")
Liam Harvey, 26, was used to working long 80-hour weeks but started blacking out without warning, falling asleep mid-conversation and forgetting entire days in early 2019. However Liam’s mum, Alex, 64, demanded a second opinion and an MRI scan diagnosed him with cystic craniopharyngioma – a benign brain tumour(Image: SWNS)<\/p>\n
A man who would fall asleep mid-conversation and put his blackouts down to working too much has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.<\/p>\n
He initially brushed off his symptoms for exhaustion from work and doctors initially agreed that he was overworked and underfed.<\/p>\n
Liam Harvey, 26, was used to working long 80-hour weeks but started blacking out without warning, falling asleep mid-conversation and forgetting entire days in early 2019.<\/p>\n
However Liam’s mum, Alex, 64, demanded a second opinion and an MRI scan diagnosed him with cystic craniopharyngioma – a benign brain tumour.<\/p>\n
Liam underwent an eight-hour operation to remove the tumour and a further two brain surgeries to drain fluid from a cyst. He had to go through eight weeks of radiotherapy but finished treatment in October 2019.<\/p>\n
Liam, a maintenance worker, from Bristol, said: \u201cI first noticed something wasn\u2019t right back in 2019. I was doing a job with my dad. I went up a ladder and suddenly got confused. I\u2019d always suffered with migraines as a kid.<\/p>\n
“I was also really tired all the time, falling asleep mid-conversation. I went to the doctor twice and was told it was poor diet and working long hours, so I didn\u2019t think too much of it.<\/p>\n
“But things got worse. I started blacking out, couldn\u2019t stay awake, and began projectile vomiting.\u201d<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1748775436_231_0_Kim-Horton.jpg\")
(Image: SWNS)<\/p>\n
Liam was told again in May 2019 that his symptoms were from overworking but is mum, a carer, pushed for a referral at Royal United Hospital in Bath<\/a>, Somerset.<\/p>\n But before the appointment came around, Liam had lost 80 per cent of his eyesight.<\/p>\n Liam said: \u201cWe went to the optician and paid for full testing. I couldn\u2019t even stay awake through the exam. I woke up hearing the optician telling my mum that I needed to go to the hospital, urgently. He said there was something behind my eye.\u201d<\/p>\n An MRI scan at Royal United Hospital in Bath in May 2019 revealed a benign brain tumour and Liam had a surgery to remove it that same month.<\/p>\n Liam underwent an additional two brain surgeries – as a cyst filled with fluid and a second to drain more fluid and fit a permanent brain drain.<\/p>\n Liam said: \u201cIt was a nightmare that I just wanted to end. I had no idea what was going on, I was in shock.\u201d<\/p>\n Sadly, in August 2019 Liam had to be rushed back into hospital when his cyst liquefied and filled the space where the tumour had been, and put on radiotherapy.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cIt was brutal. Eight weeks of radiotherapy treatment, six tablets a day. I gained over eight stone in under two months. My skin tore from the stretch marks. The fatigue was soul-destroying.”<\/p>\n Over eight weeks, Liam gained over eight stone due to steroid medication, and his skin split under the pressure of rapid weight gain.<\/p>\n But by the end of October 2019, Liam rang the bell, marking the end of treatment.<\/p>\n His hip began deteriorating from the treatment’s side effects and in January 2021, Liam received a hip replacement at Southmead<\/a> Hospital, Bristol.<\/p>\n Then he was able to return to work by August 2021.<\/p>\n He is now working with charity Brain Tumour Research to raise vital funds and awareness for research and bring hope to others facing similar battles.<\/p>\n Brilliantly he completed their 200k in May challenge by walking throughout the month.<\/p>\n Katrina Jones, head of community and digital fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: \u201cLiam\u2019s journey is a powerful reminder of the urgent need for increased investment in brain tumour research. His resilience and determination to raise awareness and funds inspire us all.<\/p>\n “We are deeply grateful for his support and commitment to helping find a cure for this devastating disease.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1748775437_580_0_Kim-Horton.jpg\")
(Image: SWNS)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1748775438_909_0_Kim-Horton.jpg\")
(Image: SWNS)<\/p>\n