Truck Driver Thought He Had the Flu or Covid. He Was then Diagnosed with a Brain Tumor and Given 1 Year to Live
Kieran Shingler wound up being diagnosed with a potentially deadly brain tumor after thinking that he just had the flu or Covid
The 26-year-old was given only a year to live after being diagnosed at 23 in 2022
He has defied the odds but is undergoing treatment again as his tumor has started to growA man in England thought he'd come down with the flu before receiving a devastating diagnosis and being told he could just have one year to live.
Kieran Shingler, 26, from the U.K. town of Warrington, began to experience a headache, sore throat and runny nose in November 2022. At first, he put it down to a case of flu or Covid. However, a test for the latter came back negative, and as the weeks went on, he started to feel worse and was unable to keep food down, per the Manchester Evening News.
Medics at Warrington Hospital performed an emergency CT scan. Shingler was then transferred to The Walton Centre hospital in the city of Liverpool, "where he had four major brain surgeries, including an emergency surgery on Christmas Day [of that year]," a GoFundMe page previously set up to raise money for the family amid ongoing medical treatment confirmed.
The page stated that Shingler was 23 years old when he was "unexpectedly diagnosed with a high grade cancerous brain [tumor]."
Shingler, who is a truck driver, underwent a biopsy at The Walton Centre which revealed he had a grade three astrocytoma, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Per the Mayo Clinic, an "astrocytoma is a growth of cells that starts in the brain or spinal cord."
"The growth, called a tumor, starts in cells called astrocytes. Astrocytes support and connect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord," the organization explained.
After meeting with an oncologist at Liverpool's Clatterbridge Cancer Centre on Jan. 5, 2023, Shingler underwent 30 sessions of radiotherapy and chemotherapy within a month. Doing so successfully shrank the tumor, according to the Manchester Evening News.
According to a GoFundMe update posted this summer, Shingler was told his tumor had started to grow again in June after going 19 months without any treatment. Over that time, his tumor had continued to shrink.
"When I was diagnosed with a brain [tumor], I was scared, angry and always questioned why. I couldn't have got through the past couple of years without the support of my friends and family but especially my [mom] and [partner] Abbie [Henstock]," Shingler said, via the Manchester Evening News
https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf
"They always made sure to put me before themselves and I will always be so grateful. Abbie especially has stuck by my side and remained strong for me as I lost my [mom] last year. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for [her]," he added.
Henstock, 26, said, "Kieran just wasn't getting any better; he couldn't keep food down, and he was getting excruciating headaches. He was so fit, he was doing a triathlon, working out, we just knew something wasn't right — this wasn't Kieran."
She recalled, "Kieran had an MRI scan and they told us that the [tumor] was blocking fluid from going to his spine. They said he would need an emergency endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) - a procedure used to treat hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain's ventricle."
One of the surgeries Shingler had was a craniotomy, the Manchester Evening News reported. He also underwent a surgery to fit a permanent shunt — a device that diverts fluid from one area of the body to another — an hour after being told about his grade three astrocytoma diagnosis, back on Dec. 29, 2022.
Per the Mayo Clinic, "A craniotomy involves removing a portion of the skull for brain surgery. A craniotomy may be done to take a sample of brain tissue or to treat conditions or injuries that affect the brain."
After being told that his tumor had started to grow again in June, Shingler has been undergoing further chemotherapy.
"He was put back on chemotherapy to help get this back under control. We would love to continue to raise money for charities close to our hearts as well as making memories and doing the things Kieran loves, which can be as simple as going to a yummy breakfast and coffee," the GoFundMe page stated.
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The family said the money they'd raised over the years had "allowed us to buy a Hyperbaric Oxygen Tank, a red light machine and a PEMF [Pulsed Electromagnetic Field] machine, all of which have shown this helps and increases his recovery and helps with [Shingler's] short-term memory loss."
The GoFundMe page had raised over $36,000 as of Tuesday, Aug. 5. PEOPLE has reached out to Shingler for an update on his recovery.
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Most cancers in their early stages will result in weight loss instead of weight gain—unless it's a cancer that causes the release of cortisol, like a tumor in the adrenal gland. However, as cancer progresses, it can lead to weight gain. "This weight gain can be due to growth of the size of the tumor itself or [if it spreads] to other organs like the liver, which can cause fluid buildup in the stomach or the stomach cavity," says Dr. Shafipour. But don't be too alarmed, as this is usually a worst-case scenario. Most cancers will cause other symptoms that may warrant you seeing a doctor while it's still in an early stage. When should I see a doctor for unexplained weight gain? First, you should take a look at your lifestyle. If your diet is poor, it's normal to gain between a half a pound to a pound of weight a week. Your menstrual cycle can also cause your weight to fluctuate between four and five pounds, depending on the stage of your cycle. But when is weight gain a cause for concern? If you're gaining one to two pounds or more a week, and you don't see the numbers going down, then it might be time to see a doctor. "If one notices that they're gaining weight rapidly, one to two pounds a week, and it's not related to menstrual cycle, poor sleep, anxiety or depression, or snacking or overeating, then they should probably see their primary care physician, who will do a thorough history and physical as well as some appropriate laboratory work-up to find the causes of weight gain," says Dr. Shafipour. A doctor can work with you to determine whether an underlying condition is contributing to your weight gain, and find appropriate remedies to help you maintain a weight that makes you feel good. Common Questions About Unexplained Weight Gain Why am I gaining weight even though I'm eating healthy and working out? 'There are many reasons this could be happening and the only way to understand it is to systematically investigate what is going on, like a detective solving a mystery,' says Dr. Parrella. 'Weight gain as an adult, outside of pregnancy, is (most of the time) about the hormone balance.' For many people, this means examining thyroid function. 'Thyroid disorders and untreated sleep apnea can cause unexplained weight gain,' she says. 'A few cancers can cause unexplained weight gain, but those are less common.' The most common cause of unexplained weight gain is insulin resistance, she says, which is associated with weight gain (especially around the waistline). However, this can be treated and managed in multiple ways, and you should always consult your doc to see what's best for you. Some commonly used medications may also cause weight gain, but there may be alternatives that won't bring unwanted side effects. 'If you are taking chronic medications, it is worth asking a pharmacist or your doctor if this applies to you,' says Dr. Parrella. Apart from these reasons, your weight gain may be a sign to evaluate your nutrition, stress levels, physical activity, and sleep habits in detail. There may be certain behaviors (including those you believe are "healthy") that are contributing to your weight gain without you realizing it. What is unexpected weight gain a symptom of? Could it be menopause, aging, or genetics? Your weight can certainly be impacted by menopause, aging, genetics, and hormones like insulin, Dr. Parrella says. 'How you eat, how you move, and how regularly you get rest can affect your hormones and the genes that are activated,' she explains. But the good news is, you can help influence how these changes occur in your body, and seeing a provider can be a great first step. Dr. Parrella recommends working with a specialist who can help you uncover your body's 'signaling pattern' and learn how it may be impacting your weight gain. This ongoing process may involve ongoing investigation, self-tracking, and trying different options, she adds. Weight gain can also be a sign that your body is experiencing chronic stress, Dr. Parella adds—especially if you're a caregiver for a small child, someone with a chronic disability, or an aging parent, for example. '[If] your work demands interfere with your ability to relax and recharge regularly or to sleep well, you may gain weight even if your daily food intake is low,' she explains. Can I just use medication to manage my weight, then stop meds later? The short answer: It's complicated. 'If you use medications to lower your weight, with the medications currently available, you will likely need to stay on those medications to keep the weight down,' says Dr. Parrella. Everyone's body is different, so always consult your doctor about starting and stopping meds, and what dosage and frequency is right for you. You may find that medication is helpful for a while, but everyday lifestyle changes might benefit your body just as much. 'If your doctor has ruled out obvious and less common medical issues like thyroid disorder or cancer, [the reason] could be the timing of when you eat, how often you eat, if you are drinking alcohol, what you are eating, medications, sleep, or chronic stress," Dr. Parrella says. I'm barely eating, but I'm still gaining weight. Am I not getting enough calories? Should I eat breakfast? '[Unexplained weight gain] is rarely about not eating enough calories or whether or not you eat breakfast,' says Dr. Parrella. Weight gain can occur if you're not 'eating the right nutrients, are eating the wrong nutrients for your body physiology, are not getting adequate sleep, or you have chronic stress with high cortisol,' she adds. It's entirely possible to eat little and still have unexplained weight gain, and it can also happen if you eat or snack frequently throughout the night, she says. The key, Dr. Parrella explains, is to eat the right nutrients for you and your body. For example, if you deal with insulin resistance, protein and fibrous vegetables can help keep your insulin at a lower level so that you can get health-promoting nutrients that allow your body to burn fat. Rather than undereating, Dr. Parrella suggests that every 24 hours, you allow your body at least 12 continuous hours (usually overnight including your sleep hours) of not eating or drinking anything other than water, black coffee, or unsweetened tea. 'It is good for your health to let your gut rest on a regular basis,' she says. Moderating alcohol use may also help, she adds. Try eliminating alcohol for one month and seeing what happens with your weight, or alternatively, explore a sugar detox month without any sweets or sweetened beverages. How can I stay motivated to eat less and exercise more? You may have heard that 'eating less and exercising more' is the solution for weight loss, but according to Dr. Parrella, weight gain is usually way more complicated than that. 'Motivation is not the problem for most people, and trying to eat less and exercise more is not the answer for most people,' she says. For many, weight gain is a sign of a hormonal imbalance. 'Based on what you eat, how you move, how you socialize, sleep, and recharge, your hormones will vary,' she adds. 'If your hormones are set up to cause you to grow, that is what you will do. If your hormones are set to burn, then you can burn fat [more easily].' That said, if you are struggling with motivation to make lifestyle changes, consider your intentions behind wanting to manage your weight. Is it that you want to feel more energized during the day? Make it through your fun workout classes? Feel more confident taking cute selfies? Whatever your reason is, tapping into your internal motivation (and not just rushing to crash diet) can help you make sustainable, long-term changes. Meet the experts: Naomi Parrella, MD, is a family physician and obesity medicine specialist at Rush University Medical Group. Melina Jampolis, MD, is an internist based in Los Angeles and the host of the Practically Healthy podcast. Rocío Salas-Whalen, MD, is an endocrinologist at the Medical Offices of Manhattan. Reshmi Srinath, MD, is an assistant professor of diabetes, endocrinology, and bone disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Kristen Neilan, RD, a dietitian at the University of Florida Health. Sanaz Memarzadeh, MD, PhD, is a gynecologic cancer surgeon at UCLA Health. Pouya Shafipour, MD, is a weight loss specialist at Paloma Health. 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