AN ‘inspirational’ brain tumour sufferer told he only had six months to live two years ago has defied the odds by returning to work today.

Jay Lynchehaun has amazed doctors with his attitude and progress since he was diagnosed with one of the most malignant types of cancer.

The 27-year-old was totally devastated when the tumour was discovered after he suffered a mini-stroke in October 2011.

He had to give up his job as a senior mechanic at Citroen, in Nelson, to undergo emergency treatment, including an urgent operation to remove 60 per cent of the grade four gemistocytic astrocytoma tumour.

He then endured several rounds of intensive radiography, chemotherapy and steroid treatment which left him feeling ‘utterly exhausted.’

Meanwhile the location of the tumour, at the rear of the right side of his brain, caused him to start having epileptic fits, difficulties with reading and writing , memory loss and affected his movement.

Yet determined not to give up Jay, who lives in George Lane, Read, said he was taking the monumental step this week of starting a new career as a graphic designer for Latitude in Clitheroe.

Jay, who also set up his own charity Inbetweenears in January to help support other young people living with the condition, said he had begun to see his energy return and was now determined to live as normal a life as possible.

He said: “The doctors told me that people with my type of brain tumour don’t live for very long and said that I probably had six months.

“I was devastated because I just wanted to live so much.

“I got so tired that all I could do some days was just sit on the couch which was incredibly frustrating because I knew that I wanted to do so much more.

“I thought I was just going to become a cabbage.

“Having to stop driving due to surgery and epilepsy was also incredibly hard because it was a big part of my life and it’s really restricted me.

“I also found the lack of targeted support for young people at times really frustrating.

“Yet I kept trying to carry on with life as normal and after one year I started to feel better and thought that maybe I could actually beat it.

“Now two years are up and I’m about to start work I just think of how far I’ve come.

“I know I can still get really tired a couple of times a month and will only be working two half days a week but to me it’s a big step.

“Whilst I’ve been ill I’ve focused on my hobbies such as photography and graphic design and have even taken up cycling.

“Creating the charity gave me something to focus on and being able to help provide some comfort, advice and support to other young people like myself has truly been a humbling experience.

“I feel really ecstatic when I think about work and the possibility of being allowed to drive from next Spring.”

Commenting on his progress Lancashire Telegraph's health expert Dr Tom Smith said: “Due to his young age and fitness level even though he has been diagnosed as having a terminal condition he could expect to live for many more years.

“He seems to have the right attitude and I hope that he can forget about it and carry on as normal.”

For more information about Jay’s charity go to www.inbetweenears.co.uk.