Jac's Legacy

Jac Douglas Sexton, adored by his close group of friends, a tight knit family and his girlfriend Abbey. He loves football, rugby and all things sport, has a passion for barbering and has been starting to make a successful career from it. At 18 years old he had the world at his feet but in late 2024 his world was turned upside down with the news of his cancer.

In October 2024, Jac started experiencing severe headaches, double vision and complete loss of balance. After multiple unsuccessful visits to the GP, being prescribed antibiotics and the symptoms being dismissed as an ear infection he fell at home and was rushed to Prince Charles Hospital where he had an emergency CT scan.

The results of the scan were devastating, a large tumour was found on Jac’s brainstem and the immediate news given that it was a high grade Glioblastoma. Due to the nature of the tumour and it’s position within the brainstem they were unable to perform a biopsy and it was deemed as inoperable.

The next steps to give Jac the best treatment to fight the cancer was an appointment at Velindre Cancer Hospital, Cardiff where he met with his oncologist Dr Gillilan McLean. The news confirmed that Jac’s cancer was especially rare and his case the only one in Wales at this moment in time. Treatment for this type of high grade cancer was rarely offered but with Jac’s young age and good health on his side he underwent an intense 6 weeks course of radiation finishing just two days before Christmas.

The intensity of the radiation took a huge toll on Jac’s health, he lost his ability to walk, especially the use of his left side of his body, was extremely fatigued and had difficulty swallowing. It was this last side effect which led to Jac’s unforeseeable accident in January 2025 where he aspirated and was transported by air ambulance to Prince Charles Hospital. After being induced into a coma, the predicted outcome by the ICU doctors was devastating and was expected to have severe brain damage or heart failure due to the lack of oxygen he endured. The next 48 hours would be critical.

By a miracle and the fight left in Jac, he responded well to treatment and was gradually taken off the sedation. He showed good signs that no damage was done to his brain and his lungs began to heal from the collapse. In all his 30 years the ICU doctor had never seen a case like it or an outcome so positive.

When Jac was well enough, he was transferred to the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff where he was taken under the care of the Teenage Cancer Trust. He spent nearly 5 weeks with the care of all the amazing doctors and nurses there and has finally been able to come home to receive palliative care with his close family and friends by his side.

Jac is still giving everything he’s got fighting this terrible disease, everything he has endured shows his amazing strength and determination. He is an inspiration to us all.