Maverick ex-politician Nick Xenophon reveals his ‘ticking time bomb’ health battle – as he prepares for major surgery
Former independent senator Nick Xenophon has been diagnosed with a brain tumor which he describes as a ‘ticking time bomb’.
The ex-senator said a scan showed a benign tumor near his brain stem and he was preparing for surgery, he revealed in an interview with the Adelaide Advertiser on Saturday.
He emphasized that the tumor was not cancer and that surgery would be required if it continued to grow.
βIt should be OK, but there are risks involved,β Mr Xenophon said.
‘It’s a ticking time bomb in a very bad location. I just have to get through it. It has to be done.’
Former political impostor Nick Xenophon (middle of photo) has been diagnosed with a brain tumor that he describes as a ‘ticking time bomb’
Xenophon was diagnosed with a meningioma last year, a slowly growing tumor in the membranes around the brain and spinal cord.
βIn the scheme of things, it’s not that big of a deal. “It’s nothing compared to what Professor Richard Scolyer, fellow Australian of the Year, is going through with his brain cancer and his heroic efforts to find a cure,” Mr Xenophon said.
Xenophon first entered politics in the South Australian Parliament in 1997 as an anti-pokies campaigner, before moving to the federal Senate where he served for nine years.
His political career was halted when he resigned from the Senate in 2017 to run for the South Australian Parliament.
However, he was defeated at the ballot box in his bid to be elected to Hartley in the 2018 state election.
His tumor came to light last year when he went to the doctor with a stiff neck and headache and was sent for CT scans.
He said he may have to undergo surgery if the tumor continues to grow.
Mr Xenophon said he was preparing for the fight by transferring his legal practice to another law firm in Adelaide.
‘When I got on the phone, I got a call that my father had just passed away. A bit of a double whammy,β Mr Xenophon said.
Mr Xenophon (pictured) first entered politics in the South Australian Parliament as an anti-pokies campaigner in 1997, before moving to the Federal Senate where he served for nine years.
‘A subsequent scan before Christmas showed the tumor was largely stable but appeared to be growing slowly.’
He said he was speaking publicly to raise awareness, hoping others would seek medical care if symptoms arise.
βAs far as brain tumors are concerned, I am one of the lucky ones, but I hope that in some small way I can help raise awareness about the need to have symptoms investigated for early detection and intervention,β he said.