‘I drank 10 litres of water a day due to mind tumour’

A postman who was consuming 10 litres of water a day for 2 years found his extreme thirst was being attributable to a mind tumour.

Doctors initially thought 41-year-old Jonathan Plummer from Cornwall had diabetes, however appointments together with his GP and a kidney specialist resulted in inconclusive check outcomes.  It wasn’t till a routine eye check revealed a mass, he was referred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon, for an MRI scan, and recognized with a mind tumour.

 It was on his pituitary gland, which impacts water retention.   Jonathan  underwent 30 rounds of intense radiotherapy.

Now cancer-free, Jonathan stays on life-long remedy.  He is doing a sponsored skydive to lift cash for Brain Tumour Research.

Jonathan from Falmouth, mentioned: “I felt a constant thirst that I couldn’t quench and got to the point where I was passing as much water as I was drinking.  It was an awful time which caused me to miss days of work at a time and I experienced extreme fatigue.

“I was devastated. The tumour was growing on my pituitary gland – which was causing my need to drink water all the time – and many other ‘spots’ on my brain.

“An operation wasn’t an option so I was placed on steroids to help with the pressure of the tumour in my brain.”

He was recognized with a germ cell tumour in 2002.  Jonathan had steroid remedy which brought about him to realize 4 stone – going from 12st to 18st.

Jonathan mentioned: “I was always very active and played rugby and cricket weekly which is something I have never been able to return to. I took up running and swimming as non-contact exercise and have regained control of my weight.”

Jonathan has thus far raised £380 forward of the Jump For Hope at Perranporth Airfield in Cornwall.  He has a Just Giving web page here.

Mel Tiley, neighborhood growth supervisor on the charity, mentioned: “We’re grateful to Jonathan for sharing his story and it’s wonderful to hear how he has found positivity after his brain tumour diagnosis.  His story reminds us that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age.

“We’re determined to change this but it’s only by working together that we will be able to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure.”