Brain tumour research appeal from couple as they prepare for 'last Christmas' together
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A COUPLE who are now living in Cumbria but have strong Sutherland connections are preparing for their 'last Christmas' together following a devastating terminal cancer diagnosis.
Dan Potts (46) was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour in December 2021 – and now he and his wife Liah, who was brought up in Altass and attended Rosehall primary school, are crowdfunding in a bid to raise awareness of the disease.
In December 2021, after trying to type a message on his phone and then reading it back and finding that it was not correct, Dan visited his local GP who immediately referred him to hospital for a MRI and CT scan.
It was discovered that he was suffering from a 'massive' grade 4 glioblastoma brain tumour and swelling on the brain. Described as a terminal diagnosis, the couple were told that any treatment would be an attempt to prolong his life, and that there was no cure.
The news came as a huge shock for the young couple, who used to go for long walks, enjoyed active jobs and visited the gym everyday.
They were advised that the average survival time for glioblastoma patients is devastatingly short – just 12-18 months. Only 25 per cent of patients survive more than one year and 5 per cent more than five years.
The couple, who met while they worked together at the Oykel Bridge Hotel seven years ago and later married at Lairg Parish Church, now faced the prospect of a 'very different' Christmas.
But due to a Covid diagnosis, Liah was forced to self-isolate.
Liah said: "Dan had a seizure in the early hours of the morning on December 22 and was rushed into hospital. He spent the next seven days pretty much unconscious in intensive care and I was unable to visit him until my isolation was completed.
"At this point, Dan had lost all speech ability and the control of his right arm. We couldn't talk on messenger, so we had no contact over Christmas and New Year."
After a successful operation to reduce pressure in his brain, he returned home where he began six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Now residing in Loweswater, Cumbria, Dan and Liah are preparing to spend what they believe could now be their last Christmas together.
Liah said: "We just want a quiet Christmas alone together to enjoy time with each other. After we were apart last Christmas, and the year before which we spent visiting family, we just want some special 'us' time."
The couple have started a crowdfunding page in a bid to raise awareness of the disease. The page has so far raised almost £5500 of its £50,000 target.
Liah added: "We have been amazed by the generosity of people who Dan used to go to school with, family members and even strangers who just want to wish him well.
"Every donation really does help so even just £2 is welcome - it will all add up and help to go a long way to either providing a cure for this terrible disease or at least prolonging peoples lives."
Donations to Dan and Liah's crowdfunding page can be made via this link: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/danpottsgmb4.
