Newport man set for second brain tumour op (From South Wales Argus)

Coedkernew man set for second brain tumour op

4:20pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Gwent news

A FATHER-of-two from Newport will undergo a major brain tumour operation for the second time on Friday.

Anthony Hard, an aircraft engineer in the Royal Air Force, will once again be wide awake as he undergoes surgery on a cancerous tumour which has grown back after being removed in April last year.

"I just want to get it done," said Corporal Hard, 33, who lives with his wife Nahella, nine-year-old daughter Reagan and son Casey, 14 months, in Coedkernew.

The family recently took to the internet to successfully raise £5,000 to buy a specialised bed and shoes for Casey, who was left severely brain damaged after a traumatic birth in 2011.

"I'm pleased that it's so soon because once I have got that out the way we can get back to looking after Casey, which is a full-time job," said Cpl Hard, who will go through six weeks of radiotherapy after the operation.

"It will be exactly the same as last time, a four to five-hour procedure at Heath Hospital in Cardiff with the same surgeon and team.

"Last time I came home the following day and they said no one had ever gone home so quick after an awake craniotomy."

Cpl Hard described the situation as 'déjà vu' and said: "I think the rest of my family are more worried than I am. I hope this time it is done for good."

The family continues to raise funds towards specialised equipment for their son Casey, with a five kilometre 'fun run' scheduled for March 2 around Newport.

Casey's uncles Tom and Mike Hard recently took part in the Tough Guy challenge in Wolverhampton in aid of Ty Hafan, which offers respite care for the parents of disabled children, while the family's local football team Villa Dino Christchurch raised £4,000 last year.