Teen Cousins Battle Inoperable Brain Tumours with Resilience

Two teenage cousins from Scotland are facing the daunting challenge of living with inoperable brain tumours, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity. Lachlan Lindsay, diagnosed at the age of eight, and his younger cousin Hazel Dempster, who began her fight six years later, share an extraordinary bond forged through their medical struggles.

Lachlan, now 19, was diagnosed with a brain tumour after experiencing headaches and a slight squint. Emergency surgery at the old Sick Kids’ Hospital in Edinburgh relieved the dangerous fluid build-up that could have been fatal. “I remember being told I had a tumour and that the hydrocephalus could kill me if it wasn’t treated,” he recalled. Following surgery, he endured intense pain and a lengthy recovery, but he emerged with a determination to succeed.

Hazel, now 16, faced her own medical crisis when she began suffering from headaches. Her GP referred her for a scan, leading to the discovery of an optic chiasm pilocytic astrocytoma, a slow-growing tumour pressing on her optic nerve. “It was a massive shock because the likelihood of both of us having brain tumours is so minuscule,” she said. Hazel underwent emergency neurosurgery, followed by multiple operations and chemotherapy that significantly impacted her childhood.

Finding Strength in Shared Experience

The shared experience of battling brain tumours has deepened the relationship between Lachlan and Hazel. “I think I’ve probably got a closer relationship with Lachlan now because it’s something me and him can relate to that practically nobody else in our life can,” Hazel explained. Both teenagers approach their diagnoses with a sense of humour, often joking about their conditions as a coping mechanism. Hazel remarked, “To me, having a brain tumour is just part of me… it’s like my arm, my leg, my brain tumour.”

While Lachlan’s tumour is classified as a benign tectal plate glioma, it has led to challenges, including dyspraxia, which affects his physical coordination and processing speed. “Sometimes I will take longer to understand a question in a test because the tumour holds me back,” he noted. Despite these challenges, he is studying English and Film & Visual Culture at the University of Aberdeen, with aspirations of becoming a Hollywood film director.

Hazel’s tumour, which will not shrink but remains stable, has also shaped her daily life. She manages her condition with daily oral chemotherapy and regular medical appointments, allowing her to lead a relatively normal life. Last summer, she and her family took a rail trip across Europe, a long-awaited adventure after years of medical treatments and restrictions.

Community Support and Advocacy

The impact of Lachlan and Hazel’s diagnoses extends beyond the two cousins to their family and community. Their aunt, Emma Christie, has become an advocate for brain tumour awareness, raising over £3,000 for The Brain Tumour Charity through her work as an author. “I’ve often felt helpless in the face of such a life-changing diagnosis but by supporting the charity and helping to raise funds for research, I feel like I’m transforming the grief into positive action,” she stated.

Both Lachlan and Hazel have also been recognized for their resilience and contributions to their communities. Hazel received an Unsung Hero award from the Chief Scout for her leadership with her local Scout troop, while Lachlan continues to focus on his education and future aspirations.

Both cousins emphasize the importance of appreciating the moments of well-being, knowing well the fragility of their health. “I’m enjoying and savouring feeling well because I know what it’s like to not to,” Hazel expressed, reflecting a maturity that belies her years.

As they navigate their respective journeys, Lachlan and Hazel embody the spirit of hope and determination, reminding us all of the strength found in shared experiences and the power of community support.