Scott's Story

Scott Chudley is a busy guy. The life-long Winnipegger and one time golf pro is now an Education Assistant, as well as a student studying to be a teacher. He is also a determined athlete and coordinator for the upcoming Spring Sprint for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. Scott has good reason for adding this to his all-ready full plate – he is one of the 55,000 Canadians affected by a brain tumour. Currently, Scott is working with other Winnipeggers affected by a brain tumour who hope the community will support the event on June 5th at Assiniboine Park.

It was 2008 when Scott’s wife Jackie first noticed symptoms such as, hearing loss and balance problems while he was training for an upcoming marathon and triathlon. A subsequent hearing test showed a marked hearing loss leading to a suggestion that he see his doctor. This led to Scott seeing an ear, nose and throat specialist who directly referred him for an MRI, where within a week the tumour was found. Before he knew it, Scott learned he had an acoustic neuroma, a benign tumour that sits on the eighth cranial nerve which is responsible for hearing.

“When it was discovered it was 11 millimeters. I’m told it’s not common. They don’t usually treat it because it usually happens in older adults but I was 37,” says Scott. “Then they said that I had three options, sit on it and wait, gamma knife surgery, or full surgery.” Scott and Jackie researched their options, all the treatments and side effects. For them the decision was clear and Scott underwent gamma knife surgery to stop the tumour’s growth in March, 2009.

“When you go for treatment they bolt a titanium halo on your head, give you an MRI and strap you down to the gurney so you can’t move during the surgery. My work up program took 28 minutes. It was painless and not what you think brain surgery is. I thought it was a cool experience even though the reason was not good,” remembers Scott. The biggest side-effect today is some hearing damage. Scott also has yearly MRIs to monitor the tumour.

As a runner, Scott sees the Spring Sprint as his way to share his knowledge and educate others about the work and efforts of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. “I didn’t hear about Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada until I was diagnosed and we want to change that,” says Scott. “Working with them gives me that feeling that I’m doing something positive to help others.”

He’s optimistic that others will see the need and support the cause. “My hope would be that anyone diagnosed with a brain tumour would be able to do the treatment, have a successful outcome, and no more worries,” says Scott. “It’s obviously a good cause and its one of those things where they’re just scratching the surface with so many different types of tumours.”

On Sunday June 5th, join Scott, Jackie and their son Carter along with the many Winnipeggers affected by a brain tumour at the Spring Sprint at Assiniboine Park, Duck Pond.