A dad’s personality changes were put down to the stress of him being the best man at his best friend’s wedding – but it was actually a deadly form of cancer.
Lee Parker had suffered emotional outbursts, confusion and cluster headaches.
The 47-year-old visited the doctors and was told it was all down to stress.
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He and his wife, Mary, thought it was because he was given the task of being best man at his best friend’s wedding.
But when his face dropped on one side, they both knew something worse was going on.
“Despite my repeated concerns about Lee’s confusion, emotional outbursts, and significant personality changes, his early symptoms were repeatedly dismissed,” Mary, from Bishopsworth, Bristol, told Need To Know.
“We thought his change in character was due to the stress of being a best man at his friend’s wedding, but we were wrong.”
Lee, a former trade marketing manager, was referred to Bristol Royal Infirmary for a CT scan.
In May 2022, he had the devastating diagnosis that a large mass had formed on his brain.
It was glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
She said: “When we were finally told that Lee had a glioblastoma, I thought they’d operate, we’d get treatment, and Lee would recover.
“We had two small children, Ivy and Jacob, we just couldn’t accept that he was going to die.”
Lee underwent a seven-hour brain surgery at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
But just months later, in October 2022, the tumour had returned.
This time, doctors told Lee there were no further treatment options.
Mary said: “Hearing there was nothing more doctors could do to help him and that he would be in palliative care within months was difficult to digest.
“We felt like there weren’t any options, so we explored immunotherapy treatment abroad in Germany.
“But ultimately decided to stay within the NHS system, not due to the cost, but because the therapy would have meant spending a week each month in Germany.
“We decided it wasn’t the right choice for our young family.”
By May 2023 Lee’s health had deteriorated and he was moved to St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol for end-of-life care.
This gave him the freedom to still live and make memories with his family, most importantly, his two kids, aged 11 and 10.
Mary said: “He didn’t just stay in bed waiting to die, he got up, went for walks, spent time with the kids, and made the most of every day we had left.”
Sadly, Lee died aged 47 on 21 May 2023, almost exactly one year after his initial diagnosis, surrounded by his family at St Peter’s Hospice in Bristol.
Mary added: “You’re not given a choice with brain cancer, but you do get to choose how you live through it.
“Lee chose love, positivity, and presence.
“Now we want to help others have more time, more hope, and better chances.”
In tribute to Lee, his friend Steve Lewis organised a ‘Walk of Hope’ in support of the charity Brain Tumour Research.
Held earlier this year, the event brought together more than 40 of Lee’s friends, family, and colleagues, raising an incredible £3,435.
Steve said: “Lee was one of a kind, full of energy, and humour.
“Walking in his memory, with so many people who cared about him, was emotional but powerful.
“We were all proud to take those steps for him and to push for better outcomes for others.”
They also took part in the Bristol Ashton Court 10k marathon, raising a further £898 to help fund vital research.
Letty Greenfield, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research said: “Lee’s story is heartbreakingly familiar, delayed diagnosis, limited treatment options, and lives cut tragically short.
“We are deeply grateful to Mary, Steve, and everyone who walked in Lee’s memory.
“Their support helps us move closer to a cure and brings vital awareness to this devastating disease.”
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