AN EX-SOLDIER was diagnosed with epilepsy six YEARS before docs found out it was terminal brain cancer with golfball-size tumours.
Ben Robinson was just 19 when he was rushed to hospital following a sudden collapse at his barracks in Chilwell, Nottinghamshire.
A scan showed tiny lesions in his brain – which doctors initially found to be fatal tumours.
But medics later changed their assessment and told Ben he had a form of epilepsy known as cortical dysplasia.
He was given medicine to help control the seizures.
When they became more frequent, another scan in September 2020 saw doctors revert back to their first diagnoses after finding golfball-sized tumours growing on his brain.
The former Royal Engineer – who has been medically discharged from the forces after five years of service – was told his illness is terminal.
Courageous Ben, who is planning his wedding with partner Kelly White, 28, says he’s at “peace” following his diagnoses.
He said: “The lesions were initially described as ‘birth marks’ on my brain and started off the size of a pinhead.
“By the time I had surgery, they were huge in comparison, the size of golfballs.”
“It’s hard to get your head round being told you have a brain tumour, let alone being given a limited amount of time to live.
“I have learnt to accept it and I’m at peace with it.
“It puts things into perspective and has encouraged me to use my positive mindset to help others who are struggling with their own diagnosis and mental health in general.”
Last month, Ben – who has gone through gruelling surgery, radiotherapy and chemo – proposed to partner Kelly, a personal assistant.
The couple plan to travel together before starting a family once Ben finishes his treatment.
He added: “I’m lucky to have the people I do around me. Everyone is supportive and has stuck with me throughout my diagnosis.
SHOCK DIAGNOSIS
“Kelly and I are excited about our life together and can’t wait to get married.”
Ben’s dad Carl, 50, said he felt emotions ranging from “disbelief to devastation” following his son’s diagnosis.
“Out of all of it, what I will say is we’ve all learned, driven by Ben’s bravery, that out of something terrible, something quite beautiful can happen,” he said.
“Ben is an inspirational type of man.
“He’s shown me, as his parent, some things I don’t think I ever would have learned without him.”
Ben, a part-time DJ, is raising money later this month for Brain Tumour Research.
He will take to the decks at The Kings Head in Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham on March 26 for a night of music and fundraising as part of the charity’s Wear A Hat Day.
Up to 200 guests will be encouraged to wear their favourite hat for an evening of entertainment to fundraise for the cause after Ben’s own diagnosis with the deadly disease.
