As reported by “The Sun”, a father of three was later diagnosed with an incurable grade IV astrocytoma. Doctors told the family that the man might have up to 18 months to live.
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Antibiotics did not help
The first symptoms appeared to Kris in the summer of 2025, while the family was vacationing in Turkey. The man began to suffer from headaches, but it was initially thought that they were caused by an ear infection.
He was prescribed antibiotics, but his condition did not improve. The following month, while spending a weekend at a spa with his fiancée Hollie Boswell, Kris was suddenly struck by an extremely severe headache.
His speech and balance were impaired, so Hollie feared he might have had a stroke and rushed him to the hospital.
“I never would have thought they would tell us he has a brain tumor. I really expected to hear that Kris had a mild stroke,” the woman said.
A CT scan showed a roughly 5 cm mass on the left side of the brain. From that day on, according to Hollie, their lives began to revolve around hospitals, tests, surgeries, and treatment.
The surgery lasted eight hours
In September 2025, Kris underwent an eight-hour brain surgery. During the operation, doctors managed to remove about 80% of the tumor, and the patient was conscious throughout the entire surgery.
The remaining part of the tumor had grown into healthy brain tissue, so it could not be removed without risking severe and life-altering neurological damage.
After the surgery, the family heard the painful prognosis.
“No one prepares you for the moment when you hear that the person you expected to spend the rest of your life with may have only 12–18 months left. It felt like our entire future was just taken away,” Hollie said.
Kris also underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Since the diagnosis, he can no longer drive or work. The family is exploring other treatment options and clinical trials.
What is astrocytoma?
Astrocytoma is a brain tumor belonging to the group of gliomas. In the United Kingdom, about one in three diagnosed primary brain tumors is an astrocytoma. These tumors can develop in both adults and children.
Symptoms can vary greatly depending on the tumor’s location in the brain. Possible signs include:
- headaches;
- speech difficulties;
- double vision or blurred vision;
- difficulty thinking or remembering;
- seizures.
Treatment depends on the tumor’s size, location, and grade. Usually, the first approach is to surgically remove as much of the tumor as possible, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Rushing to fulfill wedding plans
Kris and Hollie are raising three young children – six-year-old Toby, two-year-old Riley, and recently born Sienna. After the fiancé’s diagnosis, Hollie became his primary caregiver.
Upon learning the prognosis, the couple decided not to delay their wedding. Hollie says she hopes most of all that Kris will feel well enough to enjoy their celebration.
“Watching Kris fight this disease while trying to create memories with the children is incredibly hard. I hope the treatment works for as long as possible,” she said.
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