3 minute read
Running for his twin: meet the Pullan Family
Paramedics Claire and Gary Pullan met at work and got together in 2012 after Gary’s first wife died of breast cancer. They have four children between them; twins Matthew and Alex (17), Mark (14) and Samuel (12).
The past few months have been difficult for the Pullan family from Bury in Greater Manchester. Whilst we’ve all battled our way through the pandemic, the family were also hit by something else. They devastatingly found out that their son Matthew had a rare brain tumour.
Your Call speaks to Matthew about his diagnosis and to his twin brother Alex who has embarked upon a running mission to raise money for Brain Tumour Research. He is doing this to enable the charity to find a cure for brain tumours such as his brother’s, which will ultimately shorten his life.
Picture: left Matthew, right Alex
Matthew’s story
Matthew was three when he was diagnosed for the first time with a brain tumour which was successfully removed. A few months ago he started to be aware he was falling over more and became a bit clumsy so he went to see his consultant at the Christie Hospital.
Neurologically he was fine but he was sent for a precautionary scan. That scan unfortunately showed that Matthew had a brain tumour which was reaching out towards his brain stem. “This time it’s a different type of cancer to the first, which the experts can’t determine what it is.
“They have removed 99 per cent of it however some of the cells have spread to my brain stem which can’t be removed surgically. I am in the middle of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment which I am finding incredibly difficult but I know it is worth it and it will help me.
“Knowing the brain tumour will shorten my life is daunting and knowing that no one knows what the tumour is, is a bit surreal. It gives me hope knowing it isn’t a big scary tumour any more. However, I am worried and know high grade cancers aren’t good but I’m positive.”
Before Matthew was diagnosed for a second time, he loved to run with his twin, he was super fit and active and strove hard to increase his fitness levels. Now that has been taken away from him.
“Doing not a lot is tiring. I lie on a table for under two minutes and I’m tired, yes radiation is being blasted at my brain, but I don’t feel like I should be as tired as I am. Going from really fit and active to not doing a lot is destroying, but I will get out again hopefully.
“It’s amazing, having Alex run for me and live what I want to be living. I’m really proud of him and this money can be put towards helping to find a cure for this demon which has possessed me twice and will eventually be the end of me. I just want to say a big thank you for donating and prolonging my life and giving others a better chance to survive.”
Alex's story
“When we found out it was such a shock because no one was expecting it, not even the consultant who had sent him for a ‘precautionary’ scan after a neurological assessment that was pretty much perfect.
“It came as very bad news, when you find out something like that is happening to someone you love it’s very hard to accept it and you live in denial for many weeks, months or even years in some cases. Understanding will always be the hardest part and as a family we support each other. It’s hard, but there isn’t much we can do, we are helpless.
“It felt even more surreal as Matthew was admitted to hospital on the anniversary of our mum’s death.” Alex has been running for Matthew whilst he can’t and ran at least 5k everyday throughout Matthew’s radiotherapy to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
