A 'miracle' for teenager

By MARTIN JOHNSTON

An Auckland teenager whose brain tumour treatment was twice delayed by industrial disputes has made an almost complete recovery following surgery.

A radiation therapists' strike in 2001 forced the postponement of radiotherapy for Simon Gillingham, of Bucklands Beach, whose tumour was said by a surgeon to be inoperable.

Last year, after another surgeon decided that surgery was risky but feasible, a strike by radiographers caused the operation to be delayed by 15 days, until December 10. The tumour was growing. The longer it was left, the riskier was the surgery to remove it.

"It's gone," 17-year-old Simon, who has had a brain-scan and a follow-up check with his surgeon, declared last night.

The surgeon had told Simon before the operation there was only a 5 per cent chance that the surgery would not cause disabling, stroke-like damage.

Simon's mother, Lyn Gillingham, said the whole tumour had been removed and her son had come through with only minor impairment - slight right-side weakness, which was improving - although he had had to learn to walk again.

"He's got his life back. It's a miracle as far as we're concerned."