Family cannot wait to welcome home Wrexham man who beat coronavirus whilst recovering from a brain tumour after months apart

John Grimwood will be returning to his Box Lane home on Monday after a lengthy spell in hospital – much to the delight of his family.

Son Andrew Grimwood told the Leader how his dad was admitted into Wrexham Maelor Hospital on March 15 with symptoms of headaches and nausea, as well as severe pain and loss of balance.

He said: “After a few days of close monitoring and detailed scans it was discovered that he had two brain tumours - both located between the base of his skull and top of his spinal cord which needed removing quickly.”

The-76-year-old was rushed to The Walton Centre in Liverpool, a specialist hospital for neurology, where he underwent surgery before making a slow but steady recovery.

Andrew added: “This was not without complications though. He developed a chest infection which later became mild pneumonia therefore delaying surgery for more than ten days.

“At one stage, his health rapidly deteriorated and we were all worried that he wouldn't be strong enough to cope with the surgery. In that period, myself, my Mum and my brother Neal dreaded the phone ringing and feared the worst every day.”

The situation was made all the more stressful as the country was entering the peak of the coronavirus pandemic meaning all hospital visits were suspended for safety reasons.

John Grimwood would only be able to communicate with family via video calls due to coronavirus restrictions in place

“We were unable to visit Dad in hospital and could only communicate via Facetime, although he wasn't really capable of holding a conversation anyway”, Andrew says.

“However, he pulled through and was making a rapid recovery until, unfortunately he contracted coronavirus. Again, his health deteriorated even further and became extremely weak but promised us that he wasn't going to let it take him.

“His words 'I grew up in Hope, I've drunk water from the River Alyn and eaten hedgehog from the mountain, I'm not letting this virus beat me'!”

The dad-of-two was given oxygen via a mask and struggled to breathe unassisted for a few weeks, his son told the Leader.

He adds: “The staff at the Walton Centre were absolutely brilliant during this time, looking after him and making sure the rest of our family was kept up to date with every single detail. We can't thank them enough.”

John’s condition had improved greatly – and was soon able to have a proper video call and catch up with his family.

Also during that time, John’s son Neal – who lives in South London – raised more than £1,500 for the Walton Trust Charity by running five miles a day for the 47 consecutive days that John suffered with coronavirus.

Andrew tells the Leader that clocked up 235 miles – which is the same distance from where he lives in Coulsdon, South London to the Walton Centre in Liverpool.

Son Neal Grimwood raised an impressive amount for the hospital to say thank you for treating his dad by running 235 miles

Andrew said: “Neal suffered with blisters and aching muscles but said it was a small price to pay compared to what Dad is going through.

“He ran his final leg of his journey and finished at the hospital where he could see Dad through the window as COVID restrictions are still in place.”

Once the former Wrexham postman had been cleared of the virus, he was transferred to Clatterbridge Hospital, in Bebbington, to start rehabilitation following his initial surgery.

However - after some tough sessions in the gym, thousands of steps up and down the corridors and the equivalent of nine meals a day (in protein shakes and a balanced diet), Andrew says his dad became much stronger and was able to walk short distances unaided.

He adds: “On Monday, he returns home to Box Lane for the first time since March 15 and I bet he can't wait!

“As a family, we would like to thank all the members of staff and workers at the Walton Centre, who did a fantastic job looking after our Dad in these difficult times, it means so much to us knowing that he was given the care and attention that we couldn't provide.

“We'd also like to thank the staff and workers at Clatterbridge Hospital too, that have taken the time to make him feel comfortable, to pop out for takeaways, to sit and talk to him and to keep him occupied when he's been lonely, we really appreciate it.”