A father from south London, diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, shared an unusual experience he had before his diagnosis. Sam Suriakumar noticed an overpowering smell on two occasions in February 2020, which also left him feeling dizzy.
Living with his wife, Sindhu, and two daughters, Avaana and Arya, Sam experienced a severe grand mal seizure while on the London Underground. The seizure was so intense that it caused his shoulder to dislocate. He was quickly taken to the hospital, where tests revealed a concerning ‘large shadow’ on the left side of his brain. On February 4, 2020, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
Initially, the family received some relief when the tumor remained stable for about two years. However, in 2023, the tumor had expanded towards the front of his brain, affecting areas crucial for speech, memory, and movement, making it nearly impossible to remove.
Recently turning 40 on July 26, Sam recounted the peculiar smell that almost caused him to faint. While in the bathroom a few days before his seizure, he detected a strong odor of a cleaning agent that seemed to fill his mouth.
The musician disregarded the bleach-like smell, thinking his wife had just cleaned, but it returned after a gym session the following day, right before his seizure. He recalled feeling the scent of ammonia or bleach was so overpowering that it felt like it filled his mouth. The sensation left him needing to support himself against a wall.
While weight-lifting, the odor hit him again, enveloping his senses. Feeling extremely dizzy at the gym, Sam described being ‘drained of energy’ during his commute home. He closed his eyes for what seemed like half an hour, only to find they had moved just one stop.
Upon waking, he found himself in a hospital, having suffered a seizure on the train and two more in the ambulance. Despite the daunting diagnosis, Sam has maintained his active lifestyle and positive outlook.
Sam participated in the 2023 London Marathon to support Brain Tumour Research, raising an impressive £60,000 for charity. Following a setback in July 2023, when informed of the tumor’s growth requiring intensive treatment, he completed HYROX in Belgium six months after finishing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
He remains hopeful the tumor will be kept in check and attributes his resilience to a positive mindset. Sam aims to inspire others, asserting that his story is about hope and courage, not despair.
He shared, “I’m trying to use my experience to inspire people and turn this into something positive, rather than letting it define me as this poor guy with a sad story.” He encourages others to hold onto hope and the positive aspects of life despite challenges.
Sam believes that maintaining a positive mindset is crucial, emphasizing the brain’s significant role in one’s overall well-being. “It’s not going to come every single day, but try to find those things that inspire and encourage you to help you move forward,” he advised.