AN AUTHOR who survived a brain tumour which had been growing inside him for 20 or 30 years has republished a set of short stories.

Adam Nicke, of Camp Road, Chepstow, found himself suffering with attacks of vomiting, shingles, hiccups and bladder weakness, which doctors initially attributed to new anti-depressants, not knowing he had the tumour.

The 50-year-old said he fell over in the street three times in one day and was taking up to 10 paracetamol every day to manage ‘excruciating’ headaches.

But in September, 2015, a friend found Mr Nicke collapsed on his kitchen floor after he suffered a seizure.

After being taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, a CT scan found Mr Nicke had a six centimetre brain tumour. Mr Nicke was told the meningioma tumour, the size of a tennis ball behind his right eye, had been growing for between 20 and 30 years.

Unable to speak due to his condition, Mr Nicke was transferred to University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he underwent a life-saving operation.

“Before the operation I was told there was a chance I was not going to make it,” said Mr Nicke, who studied literary studies at University of the West of England.

“They said if I did not have the operation I would not be able to enjoy a quality of life.”

Mr Nicke said he initially felt ‘euphoric’ after the successful operation but that he was left feeling tired, irritable and with attention deficit, which he still suffers from.

Rediscovering his love for writing, Mr Nicke has now republished his book, Grim Fairy Tales, which he says are more relevant than when first published in 1995, described as ‘gothic’ in style.

He added: “It is Gothic in style and I think this is more relevant today than it was when it was first published in 1995.

“Just as the 18th and 19th century writers captured the Zeitgeist of the times with their anti-establishment writing. I think the current mood of the country is ripe for a new wave of Gothic Romantic decadence as political figures such as Jeremy Corbyn are also railing against the formal order.” Buy the book at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grim-Fairy-Tales-Adam-Nicke/dp/1544771118