A TOP chef who worked for Gordon Ramsay and the Beckhams has told how he was left paralysed after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.
John Lawson, 40 had worked with some of the world’s best chefs – as well as a private chef to the stars.
SWNSJohn Lawson in hospital after being paralysed on the left side of his body[/caption]
SWNSJohn and world famous chef Gordon Ramsay[/caption]
PAJohn previously worked as a private chef for David and Victoria Beckham[/caption]
SWNS90 per cent of his tumour has been removed[/caption]
But the foodie was left “unable to make a cup of tea” after being paralysed on the left side of his body.
Tragedy struck in December 2014 when John had opened his own restaurant in Melbourne, Australia when he began to experience blackouts and dizziness.
He told Essex Live: “I thought they were the reality of my life and just got on with it until I woke having a seizure about six months later.
“I remember being confused overhearing lots of voices and was rushed to hospital where I was given the shock news I had an ‘abnormal growth’ in my brain.
“I assumed having a brain tumour meant I was going to die and wondered how long I had left to live.”
Doctors diagnosed with grade 2 a slow-growing cancerous tumour called Oligodendrogliomas.
Oligodendrogliomas are brain tumours which originate in the brain rather than spreading from elsewhere.
They account for between 2 and 5 per cent of brain tumours and are more common in adults, particularly those aged between 40 and 60.
The majority occur in the frontal love and the second most common site is the temporal lobe.
In John’s case the stroke left him with brain damage that affected his memory and left the left side of his body paralysed.
However, after intensive rehabilitation he has now recovered his speech and movement.
He also had a successful craniotomy which removed 90 per cent of the tumour.
John said: “I had to complete a taste test and make a cup of tea, neither of which I could do at first.
“I’d gone from running a kitchen with 60 chefs to failing a taste test and not being able to coordinate the steps needed to make a cup of tea.”
John now works as a food coach and works with Brain Tumour Research to raise awareness around his condition.
He is urging Brits to sign a petition to force a Parliamentary debate on funding for research into brain tumours.
John said: “I’m a big advocate of the need for greater investment in brain tumour research. We need to bring the survival rates for brain tumour patients in line with that of other cancers, like breast cancer, which has received a much higher level of investment to get it to where it is today.
“I would urge everyone to sign this petition. It only takes a minute and could save the life of someone you love.”
Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: “John’s story is a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of brain tumours, which can affect anyone at any time. We’re really grateful to him for supporting our petition and for helping us to raise awareness. For too long governments have put brain tumours on the ‘too difficult to think about’ pile.
“Five years after the Government announced £40 million for brain cancer research, less than £11 million has been spent. Patients and families continue to be let down by a funding system that is built in silos and not fit for purpose.
“If everyone can spare just a few minutes to sign and share, we will soon hit the 100,000 signatures we need and help find a cure, bringing hope to families whose loved ones have been affected by brain tumours.”
SWNSJohn Lawson and mentor Raymond Blanc[/caption]