Dad’s apparent sciatica pain turns out to be brain tumor

By Amy Reast

A dad who thought his leg weakness was caused by back sciatica was then diagnosed with an aggressive cancerous brain tumor and given six months to live.

Timothy Clews, 64, initially put walking difficulties down to just having sciatica - a common condition causing pain in the lower back, buttocks and legs.

But in July 2025, the weakness down his left side grew worse and he feared he might be having a stroke.

Further scans later revealed a high-grade glioma, likely glioblastoma – the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

To his horror, the dad, from Bulkington, Warwickshire, was given just six months to live.

Daughter Joanne, 42, said: "After Dad’s diagnosis, I felt an overwhelming need to turn the fear and helplessness into something meaningful.

“It has all happened so quickly, and we’re just taking each day as it comes.”

Joanne said she began to notice her dad walking strangely in early July, but Timothy brushed it off as sciatica.

But on July 5, Timothy went to work and later met his friend Steve for a drink.

Steve quickly realised Timothy wasn’t himself and was struggling to use his left arm and leg, so he took him straight to A&E at George Eliot Hospital.

Joanne said: "When Dad called to say he thought he might be having a stroke, I knew something was seriously wrong and went straight to be with him."

At George Eliot Hospital, a CT scan ruled out a stroke, but after almost 24 hours in A&E, Tim was admitted to a ward and later underwent an MRI scan.

The family were warned of the possibility of a small tumour, but didn't know what to expect.

Timothy was discharged home while awaiting further investigations, where he lived with his elderly mother, Ann.

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During this time, his mobility deteriorated significantly, with increasing weakness in his left arm and growing difficulty walking even short distances.

On August 14, he and his family were told he had a fast-growing brain tumor.

A biopsy was offered, but because of the tumour’s location it was considered very high-risk, and Timothy decided against it.

Joanne said: “The news and prognosis were devastating, and even now I sometimes struggle to process the reality of it."

Timothy has since completed palliative whole-brain radiotherapy at the Arden Cancer Centre.

He is now living with his sister, Julie, who cares for him full-time.

Joanne said: "He has been very agitated, particularly in the evenings.

"But the rapid response team and his palliative nurse have been amazing, ensuring he has the medication he needs to remain as comfortable as possible.”

Determined to do something positive in the face of her dad’s diagnosis, Joanne began raising money for Brain Tumour Research.

She said “It still shocks me how little funding goes into research for brain tumors.

"This disease is complex, devastating and life-limiting, yet remains one of the most underfunded areas of cancer research.

"It would mean the world to know that more is being done so that, one day, fewer families have to face this kind of heartbreak.”

Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Joanne for turning such a devastating diagnosis into something positive. It takes immense strength to share such a personal story.

"Brain tumors remain one of the most underfunded areas of cancer research.

"We urgently need more people to stand with us so we can accelerate progress towards better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

"Together, we will find one."