Dad told he has ‘days left to live’ after doctors dismissed his headaches for 10 years
A young dad was told that he only had ‘days left to live’ after suffering from appalling headaches for a decade.
27-year-old Luke Taylor, from Cheshire, UK, has opened up about being given the devastating news and how he thought he ‘was going to die’.
The civil engineer repeatedly went to his doctor, who he says told him that his symptoms were ‘just migraines’ and that he was ‘healthy’.
“One day, I was fed up with my headaches – they were getting worse and worse – I wanted to cry with the pain,” Luke said.
However, in July 2025, his symptoms began to intensify and he would have migraines and be sick several times each day.
Luke Taylor had suffered with appalling headaches for years (SWNS)
‘I thought I was going to die’
Finally, he went for an MRI scan, and the results showed that he had a rare tumor called a haemangioblastoma, which can grow in the brain and spinal cord. According to the Cleveland Clinic, while these tumors aren’t cancerous, they can ’cause issues if they grow large enough to press on nearby tissues’.
And shockingly, Luke’s tumor had grown to the size of a golf ball.
If he didn’t have emergency surgery, doctors said that he may have had just days to live.
“When you get news like that, you go into yourself,” Luke said. “Your mind races, you don’t want to speak to anyone, you think your life is done.
“I was 26 when I was diagnosed. I had the rest of my life ahead of me, I have a daughter, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to tell my family.
“They said if I didn’t have emergency surgery, I could have days to live. I thought I was going to die.”
Following the diagnosis, Luke had a nine-hour-long operation at Walton Hospital in Liverpool but, unfortunately, it did not go to plan.
An MRI scan discovered that he had a haemangioblastoma (Getty Stock Images)
‘Every day was frustrating, exhausting, and emotional’
Luke’s partner, Nia Jones, explained: “I saw Luke after his operation – he was very erratic. He was slurring his words and couldn’t open his eyes.
“Then a day after the surgery, we were told he had a bleed on the brain and had to go back in for emergency surgery.”
After being in hospital for 18 days, Luke was discharged, but his health was poor and recovery was just beginning.
“Luke had to relearn how to walk, speak again, and use his hands,” said Nia. “He couldn’t dress himself or even cut up his own food.
“Every day was frustrating, exhausting, and emotional – for both of us – but we were determined to do everything possible to help him recover.”
Luke and Nia are trying to raise awareness of brain tumor diagnosis (SWNS)
‘I cried my eyes out’
However, in November 2025, doctors told Luke that the surgery had been a success.
“I was overwhelmed when they told me the surgery was successful,” the dad said. “I cried my eyes out, I was so happy they got it all.”
Now, Luke is trying to increase awareness of the condition and raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity.
Joanna Moss, Director of Services at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “Faster diagnosis of brain tumors is vital.
“That’s why The Brain Tumour Charity works with healthcare professionals to increase their confidence in recognising signs and symptoms, and in referring for scans if they are at all concerned.”
Luke, Nia, and his sister Leah and her partner Gary will hike three Yorkshire peaks in one day on July 18, 2026.
Nia said: “We have gone through a lot with the family. We wanted to raise money for the charity that has supported us throughout, and show support to others.”
She added: “We want to show people that there is light at the end of the tunnel and people can get through this.”
If you wish to donate to the fundraiser, you can do so here.