Martin O’Connell decided to take action when the symptom continued
A dad who initially dismissed the muscle spasms in his right arm was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and told he wouldn’t “see Christmas” without treatment. Martin O’Connell, 54, had a spasm on his right arm on the morning of August 11, 2025, but initially didn’t think anything of it.
But after a second spasm, he went to Charing Cross A&E, where doctors performed some tests and decided to keep him in overnight. The following day, Martin had multiple MRI scans where doctors were able to determine he had a brain tumour – and without treatment, he would not survive Christmas.
A few days later, Martin underwent an operation to remove as much of the tumour as possible before starting six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The dad-of-three has now completed the six weeks of treatment and is waiting to find out what his next steps will be.
Martin, a window cleaner from Hammersmith, said: “One of the surgeons told me that if I had waited any longer, there is a chance I could not have seen this Christmas. If I didn’t act on those spasms, who knows what might have happened.
“The first time it happened I ignored it, but once I got them a second time, I acted on that – and I am grateful that I did. Before that, I had no other symptoms and since then I haven’t experienced a spasm.”
After experiencing two spasms, Martin went straight to Charing Cross A&E, where he was kept in overnight to be monitored.
Martin said: “When I first had the spasm in the morning it lasted around 20 minutes and then I got a numbness in my right hand for 20 minutes afterwards. Around 2pm in the afternoon it happened a second time and that is when I decided to go to the hospital.”
The following day, Martin underwent multiple MRI scans and doctors were able to determine that Martin had a brain tumour. Doctors told Martin it was likely a glioblastoma – a fast-growing, aggressive type of brain cancer – and he needed urgent surgery, without which he might not survive until Christmas.
Martin said: “They told me that the MRI scans had shown that I had a brain tumour and it was stage four cancer. They told me I needed surgery in the next few days.
“In that moment I only had positive thoughts and that is how I have been throughout this. I just thought I had this challenge now and this is where we are; this is what I am going to do.”
Doctors were able to remove as much of the tumour as possible and Martin started chemotherapy and radiotherapy immediately. The six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy have ended and Martin is currently waiting for the next steps.
Martin said: “I am off chemotherapy and radiotherapy now and I am having a month off treatment. On December 9 I have a meeting with the doctors to see what my next steps are.”
A family friend has set up a GoFundMe for Martin, his wife Jacqui, 53, and their daughters, Megan, Annie and Grace. Neither Martin nor Jacqui can work at the moment, so any money raised will go to basic living costs.
Martin said: “We are eternally grateful for everyone who has donated – every donation has been overwhelming. We are all very very grateful to everyone who has helped, the support has been incredible.”
