Becky’s story
Becky shares her story about the death of her brother Steve, who died from Glioblastoma in 2018, and what it means to grow up while carrying grief that no one else can see.
My brother was two weeks short of his 35th birthday when he died from a glioblastoma- the most aggressive type of brain cancer on 25th October 2018.
He was doing well in life and due for promotion at work, rode his bike everyday to work and back and loved spending time with his friends and gaming community.
He was diagnosed in early December 2016 after suffering from headaches and confusion, my Mum took him to our local hospital only for scans to find a worrying looking mass on his brain. He was blue lighted to St George’s Hospital where further tests confirmed a brain tumour.
On 8th December, 2016- Steve had a nine hour surgery to remove the tumour which was the size of a tennis ball. He was placed in intensive care that evening but to our delight he was back on the normal ward the next morning.
“To have awareness of Sibling Support is amazing for me & only wish it was available at the time of Steve’s death, as I felt like I was on fire but no one else could see the flames, my grief was enormous loosing my first best friend & brother”
Steve was discharged around 4 days later, we then received the news that his tumour was a type of brain cancer called a glioblastoma, stage 4 and would require chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Steve responded well and was due to return to work when he had a scan that showed re-growth of the same tumour- he elected to have surgery in the June of 2017, again he recovered well.
Life continued as normal but Steve started to have seizures which are common with his condition- he completed both chemotherapy and radiotherapy which hit him hard with the usual hair loss and change in appetite due to steroids and medication.
We enjoyed his 34th birthday in the November and Christmas in 2017- not knowing it would be our last as a family.
In January 2018, Steve had further scans to ensure all was well but sadly, this showed a re-growth and that all options had been explored- as a family we were left devastated as the treatments for brain cancer are minimal.
Steve was put forward for a clinical trial at The Royal Marsden in March, 2018 but within two weeks this was withdrawn as he developed a blood clot on his lung and was rushed into hospital once again. Medication and staff from The Royal Surrey ensured that he sailed through this period once again- we called Steve the King of comebacks after all he had endured so far but we had no idea what was to come for him and us a family.
After speaking with Steve, we decided to make a bucket list of all the things we would love to do - one of which was to re-visit Weymouth in August 2018. We had many holidays as children - time spent on the beach, fish and chips and precious family time together.
“We spent a fab afternoon after arriving on the beachfront, enjoying fish and chips & checking out the sights we loved as children.”
The next morning at breakfast- to our disbelief Steve suffered seven back to back seizures. He was rushed to hospital where it was found he had suffered a small bleed on the brain. He recovered once again and we headed home.
We planned another trip away to the New Forest in September ‘2018- we had an amazing week as a family with amazingly no medical issues, one I will hold dearly to my heart for the rest of my life as Steve was fairly well & we had the best time together.
Soon October 2018 rolled around - I’d come home from work one day and my Mum mentioned that Steve hadn’t felt well that day. As I reached his bedroom door and put my hand on the door handle I knew something was wrong.
Steve had suffered a mid-line shift and massive bleed to his brain - again he was rushed to hospital where he remained until his death at the end of October 2018. During this time he was able to talk with us, eat and spend time with visitors but he declined two weeks before he passed away.
He died with my Mum, Dad and me by his side. Steve never complained and always told us that we would be ok, he was selfless and the most incredible brother you could ever wish for.
Brain cancer treatments have remained unchanged for over 35-40 years - so many people are suffering the same heartache loosing their loved ones to the same disease.
On the 20th September 2025 I married the love of my life, Kate, surrounded by our family and friends. Steve was very much part of the day with tributes to him and my late father on my wedding bouquet & a memory chair for where Steve would have sat on the day during the ceremony.
There is so much of Steve within me & how I approach life day to day - his humour, laugh & outlook on life.
Our beautiful home is full of Steve too - pictures of him, items he owned and loved - I believe he walks with my Mum, Kate and I everyday making his presence felt, whether that is the robin in our garden, rainbows, superman logos or songs that remind me of him.
I’m forever proud to be the big sister of an extraordinary young man who I was & still am lucky enough to call my brother - hope you're enjoying the show up there Steve!
