Understanding Brain Tumours: 10 Essential Facts
This Mother’s Day, Katie Synnott, like mothers across the nation, should be enjoying a day filled with joy and love alongside her four children, indulging in heartfelt cards and gifts. Her long-term partner, Ryan Boyle, plans to treat Katie to a delightful breakfast in bed, followed by cherished moments together as a family, including a stroll with their beloved dog, Ralphie, and a meal at a nearby restaurant.
However, this year’s Mother’s Day carries a heavy weight for Katie. Just two months ago, she received a devastating diagnosis of Glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive and terminal brain tumour, and she may only have a few months left to live. The couple, who first crossed paths in 2007, moved in together a year later and got engaged in 2011, are now facing the heartbreaking reality that this could be their last Mother’s Day together as a family.
Katie and Ryan are proud parents to daughters Lila, 13, and Scout, 6, and sons Buddy, 11, and Fox, 8, the latter of whom is autistic. Katie made the courageous decision to leave her career as an accountant three years ago to homeschool Fox. Ryan, having retired from a successful professional rugby career in 2021, is now working tirelessly as a gas engineer to support their family.
Despite the trauma of Katie’s health struggle, the couple strives to maintain a brave front for their children, creating precious memories together. Katie candidly shares, “I cope by pretending it isn’t happening.”
Just last Wednesday, she had to explain to Buddy and Lila that her cancer is incurable, a conversation that left Buddy distressed and alone in the bathroom, while Lila seemed to be putting on a brave face. Both children have taken to researching the illness online, while the younger siblings remain unaware of the terminal nature of her diagnosis. Katie reflects on this painful journey, saying, “It feels like watching your heart break right in front of your eyes. They are my heart.” She expresses her fear of missing out on significant milestones in her children’s lives—exams, sports achievements, graduations, and weddings—acknowledging that leaving them is the hardest thing she’ll ever face.
“This year, we’ll celebrate both Mother’s Day and my birthday together. I can’t help but think about all the milestones I won’t be here for—like explaining periods to Lila or seeing their first relationships blossom,” she says, her voice heavy with emotion.
Making Every Day Count
In her quieter moments, particularly during sleepless nights, 41-year-old Katie has begun preparing memory boxes filled with gifts and books for her children, aiming to leave behind treasured memories. “The books are still wrapped. They often ask me about my favorite memories and foods, things I want them to cherish in the future,” she shares. “I’m hesitant to open them because writing them feels like accepting the worst outcome.”
To symbolize her enduring love, Katie has purchased rings for her daughters engraved with the message, ‘Love you, Mum. For every high and low in life, remember your mum will always guide you.’ The boys have received engraved bracelets as well, alongside age-appropriate books that address grief and loss.
To support Katie and Ryan’s fight, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/katie-ryan-and-family
With tears in her eyes, Katie, who resides in Castleford, West Yorkshire, nods as Ryan states, “We must make every day count, every milestone special, as we don’t know how many we have left.” The couple is still in shock as they grapple with the prognosis. A staggering 95 percent of Glioblastoma patients survive an average of only 12-18 months, with just 25 percent living beyond a year.
Ryan, a former star player for the Castleford Tigers and an Ireland international, is determined to raise £250,000 to fund immunotherapy treatment in Germany, hoping to prolong and enhance Katie’s quality of life. “She is an incredible mother; the kids are her everything, and all we can do is take it one day at a time,” he says.
What is Glioblastoma?
- Glioblastomas are a rapidly growing type of cancerous brain tumour.
- Symptoms can vary based on the tumour’s location, but may include:
- Headaches
- Personality changes
- Memory problems
- Trouble speaking or understanding
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Difficulties with thinking
- Seizures
- Vision problems
- The precise cause of glioblastomas remains unclear, leading to no definitive prevention methods.
- Primary treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.
- The average survival time following a glioblastoma diagnosis is approximately 12 to 18 months, with only 25 percent surviving beyond one year and merely five percent living past five years.
Source: Cancer Research UK and the Brain Tumour Charity
‘Not Knowing is a Big Fear’
Ryan admits to feeling emotional, a stark contrast to his usual stoic demeanor. “It’s unsettling for Buddy to see his dad cry. I’ve never witnessed Ryan in tears until now; it happens nearly every day,” Katie reveals.
In the initial weeks following Katie’s diagnosis, Ryan found himself awake at all hours, desperately researching information online. “I stumbled upon dreadful stories about how long other families had their loved ones for, and it just brought me down. Now, I try to limit my internet usage,” he explains. “I understand the reality we face; I just wish I knew how much time we have left together.”
If the cancer hasn’t spread, there might be a chance for Katie to undergo another brain surgery in the future. However, the uncertainty looms large. “I strive to stay optimistic, but I can’t help but think about the prospect of taking our kids to see Katie in a hospice,” Ryan confesses. “I pray she becomes a long-term survivor.”
As for the challenges of becoming a single parent, Ryan acknowledges, “I will have to establish a new normal. I’m already beginning to prepare for that. During hospital visits, I take notes, asking Katie questions about online banking or grocery shopping since she managed all of that.” He’s been documenting passwords and contacting schools to ensure they have his number on file as the emergency contact. “It’s overwhelming, and I will need a lot of support from our families,” he admits.
‘Once Home, I Broke Down’
Katie’s ordeal began with severe headaches in late December last year, which she initially attributed to fatigue and the holiday season. “The pain grew so intense that I was consuming painkillers like candy,” she recalls. “I began experiencing memory loss, struggling to finish my sentences, thinking it was just menopause. But by January, the pain escalated.”
Katie visited her doctor on January 23, where she was swiftly referred to Wakefield’s Pinderfields Hospital. Tests revealed a 4.5cm tumour on the left side of her brain. “The on-call doctor told me the next day that it was likely benign and sent me home. We were filled with hope,” she recounts.
However, her children were distressed by her hospital stay, frequently calling to check on her well-being. Their youngest, Fox, even refused to eat while she was away and now won’t leave the house without her. “When I returned home, we sat the kids down and explained that Mommy needed treatment to fix her head, and they accepted that,” Katie shares.
In February, she underwent surgery at Leeds General Infirmary, where surgeons successfully removed 98 percent of the tumour, but couldn’t extract the roots without risking paralysis. “We were hopeful for benign news—unfortunately, that wasn’t the case,” she explains.
When they entered the surgeon’s office in Leeds, his cheerful demeanor initially gave them hope, but that soon dissipated when he delivered the crushing news: it was an aggressive, cancerous brain tumour. “You can opt for chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or you can go home and let nature take its course, which won’t be long as it will either spread or regrow,” he told them. Katie recalls being frozen in disbelief, unable to cry, and the silence in the car ride home was palpable. “Once I was inside, I completely broke down,” she admits.
Since then, Katie has been preparing gifts, memory boxes, and books for her children to cherish in her absence. Ryan, a former professional rugby player, has taken on the role of a full-time caregiver, ensuring he is there for Katie as her health continues to decline.
Breaking the News
In the days that followed, the couple aimed to be as transparent as possible with their children about the situation. “Each child has reacted so differently,” Katie observes. “Lila seems to ignore the reality, while Scout is overly clingy and too young to grasp the permanence of my absence. Buddy constantly seeks reassurance and can become angry, while Fox, who has a sensory processing disorder, stopped eating when I was hospitalized.” She adds, “Fox is very matter-of-fact. Just the other day, he asked, ‘Hey Mum, did you manage to get the cancer out of your brain?’” This broke Katie’s heart as she gently explained that they hadn’t, but she was taking medication to manage it. “He and Scout rarely leave my side and want me to resume all my previous roles—cooking meals, bedtime routines—but I’m growing increasingly fatigued,” she admits.
“My health is deteriorating—the right side of my body is affected. I experience numbness in my arm and hand, and my hip aches. My vision is stable, but I’ve lost my driving privileges,” she adds.
Clinging to Hope
Since Katie’s diagnosis, Ryan and family members have dedicated countless hours to understanding her illness and exploring potential treatments. “Ryan spends hours online looking for stories of hope,” Katie explains. “He shares links to people who have lived for years after their diagnosis, saying, ‘Look, Katie, some do survive longer.’ We cling to hope like that.”
It was Katie’s sister, Lucy Sinfield, who introduced the couple to immunotherapy, which helps the immune system recognize and combat cancer cells. Unfortunately, the type of immunotherapy Katie requires is not available through the NHS, and she would need to seek treatment at a clinic in Germany. Her family is fervently working to raise funds to help her access this treatment, hoping it can extend her life.
Lucy set up a Go Fund Me page, and just as it did for the late Leeds Rhino player Rob Burrows after his MND diagnosis, the rugby league community has rallied in support, with various clubs contributing to fundraising efforts. Rob’s wife, Lindsey, even sent a jersey of his to be auctioned off. Within a short span, the Go Fund Me page has raised over £114,000.
Every penny collected will go directly toward Katie’s treatment and the family’s needs, as Ryan has reduced his work hours to provide care for Katie. “We hope to raise as much money as possible for Katie’s treatment, as it could grant her more precious time with our children. We want to do everything we can to give her those extra years, those additional Mother’s Days,” Ryan expresses earnestly. “By sharing our story, I hope someone out there might have information about treatments we haven’t discovered yet—anything that could allow us more time together.”
“We don’t have health or mortgage insurance, so every contribution is vital for covering treatment costs and helping us navigate the challenging months ahead,” Katie adds. She began chemotherapy yesterday, along with radiotherapy, and hopes to travel to Germany for treatment this summer.
Buying More Time
As she prepares for the future, Katie reflects, “I’ve been given a death sentence, but I have no idea when it will come.” The uncertainty weighs heavily on her. “Not knowing is excruciating; the future feels daunting.” She and Ryan are carefully navigating conversations with their children about her chemotherapy treatment, ensuring they communicate in ways that suit each child’s age and understanding. “It’s incredibly challenging,” she admits.
The couple also hopes to get married in the coming months. “We’ve been engaged for years but never found the time to plan a wedding—perhaps now is the moment to act,” Katie muses. “We envision a small ceremony with just our immediate family. I’d love for the girls to be bridesmaids and the boys to take on roles as Ryan’s best man and ring bearer.”
Regarding the overwhelming support they’ve received, Katie expresses heartfelt gratitude: “We appreciate every single penny raised, as it will hopefully buy me more time with my children. That’s all I wish for on Mother’s Day—and, to be honest, every day.”
- To support Katie and Ryan’s fight, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/katie-ryan-and-family