‘Brave’ dad, 44, died after déjà vu initially brushed off by GP as stress turned out to be ‘cruel disease’
A DAD thought bizarre symptoms - including smelling burning rubber, strange tastes and experiencing déjà vu - were down to stress.
But after being "brushed off" by a GP, Barry Fair, 44, discovered his symptoms were in fact being caused by a "cruel disease" that took his life mere years later.
Barry Fair, 44, was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma - an aggressive form of brain cancer - in 2022.
Although his strange symptoms were initially "brushed off" by a GP as stress, Barry had a seizure at home - witnessed by his wife Leanne, 45, and his son, Rhys - before he was rushed to hospital, where the devastating discovery was made.
Despite their shock, the couple had little time to process the diagnosis before the dad-of-three was scheduled for urgent surgery.
On 23 February 2022, Barry underwent a craniotomy at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland, to remove the mass in his frontal lobe.
Read more on brain tumours
Although the operation was successful in removing a significant portion of the tumour, it had already begun spreading into his corpus callosum - an area of the brain that couldn't be operated on.
He underwent years of chemotherapy and radiotherapy but Barry's health declined rapidly in early 2024.
He sadly succumbed to the disease and passed away on April 23, 2024, with Leanne by his side.
Leanne, a mobile emergency carer, from Fife, Scotland, said: "He faced years of chemo and radiotherapy and horrible side effects with such courage.
"He still made us laugh, still played his music, still had time for everyone else.
"We went on family trips, to concerts, and even just little walks with our dog, Spud - every moment suddenly meant so much.
"Even when he lost movement in his hand, he insisted on going out to play pool with friends.
"That was just who he was - brave, loyal, and always thinking of others.
"Watching him fade over those last few months broke me, but I also felt lucky to be there beside him, giving him the love and care he so deserved."
Throughout her career, Leanne has had experience with seizures and knew when Barry had one it was "bad news."
She said: "When Barry came round, he was confused and frightened, and I was already preparing myself for what the hospital might find.
"An MRI scan at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy confirmed our worst fears that there was a tumour in his brain.
"That moment, sitting there hearing the words out loud, I felt like the floor had disappeared from under us.
"Barry kept trying to stay strong for me, but I could see the fear in his eyes.
"We had no idea what was coming, but we both knew everything had changed."
The pair were initially told Barry could have up to 10 years to live, but devastatingly, his tumour was resistant to treatment and the prognosis began to shorten with every scan.
The most common symptoms of a brain tumour
More than 12,000 Brits are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour every year — of which around half are cancerous — with 5,300 losing their lives.
The disease is the most deadly cancer in children and adults aged under 40, according to the Brain Tumour Charity.
Brain tumours reduce life expectancies by an average of 27 years, with just 12 per cent of adults surviving five years after diagnosis.
There are two main types, with non-cancerous benign tumours growing more slowly and being less likely to return after treatment.
Cancerous malignant brain tumours can either start in the brain or spread there from elsewhere in the body and are more likely to return.
Brain tumours can cause headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting and memory problems, according to the NHS.
They can also lead to changes in personality weakness or paralysis on one side of the problem and problems with speech or vision.
The nine most common symptoms are:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Memory problems
- Change in personality
- Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
- Vision problems
- Speech problems
If you are suffering any of these symptoms, particularly a headache that feels different from the ones you normally get, you should visit your GP.
Source: NHS
Despite this, Leanne says Barry approached every stage of his illness with strength, humour and determination.
"From the very beginning, Barry said he didn't want to waste energy asking 'why me?'. He just wanted to fight," Leanne said.
Barry's health declined rapidly in early 2024.
After a final tonic-clonic seizure, he was hospitalised and then returned home under Leanne's full-time care.
Doctors predicted he had just 48 hours left, but Barry once again defied expectations and spent another seven weeks at home, pain-free and surrounded by love before his death
'Barry deserved better'
Recently, Leanne completed the Glasgow Kiltwalk on April 27, 2025, just over a year after Barry's passing, in support of Brain Tumour Research, a charity close to her heart.
Leanne said: "When I saw the date for the Kiltwalk, I signed up straight away. It gave me a reason to keep going.
"Getting outside, training, and having a goal is helping me get through this grief. But more than anything, I did it for Barry.
"I want to continue raising money so one day, people with this cruel disease will have real hope.
"Barry deserved better, and so does every other person going through this. I'll carry him with me every step of the way."
Ashley McWilliams, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: "Leanne's story is a powerful reminder of how devastating brain tumours can be.
"Her bravery in sharing such personal pain and her determination to raise awareness in Barry's name are deeply inspiring.
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"We are honoured to have her support and to walk alongside her in the fight for better outcomes for brain tumour patients."
You can support Leanne's fundraiser here.
