Reunited by brain cancer: Fitness trainer back together with childhood best friend after she heard he'd been diagnosed with a tumour and got in touch

• .Joanna Meadows, 21, and friend, Neil Vines, 22, lost contact ten years ago
• .Miss Meadows learned her over Facebook that her childhood play mate had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and contacted him immediately
• .The personal trainer's appearance has been ravaged by extreme treatments
• .But  Miss Meadows, 21, said her inspirational friend refuses to be beaten

By AMANDA WILLIAMS FOR MAILONLINE

Childhood school friends who spent ten years apart have been reunited after one was diagnosed with cancer. 

Hairdresser Joanna Meadows, 21, from Gloucester, lost contact with best friend Neil Vines, 22, over ten years ago.

But after she learned over Facebook that her childhood play mate had been diagnosed with a brain tumour she contacted him immediately.

The once super-fit personal trainer's appearance has been dramatically altered by the life-saving operations, intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy he has undergone since 2012.

+13

Childhood school friends Joanna Meadows and Neil Vines who spent ten years apart have been reunited after former personal trainer Mr Vines was diagnosed with cancer. After reuniting, Miss Meadows and Mr Vines have become best friends one again - and she has even shaved her head in support of him

+13

The pair pictured in a school photo. Miss Meadows, 21, who has been at Mr Vines' side ever since learning of his condition, said her inspirational friend refuses to be beaten

But Miss Meadows, 21, who has been his side ever since learning of his condition, said he refuses to be beaten. 

After reuniting, Miss Meadows and Mr Vines have become best friends once again - and she has even shaved her head in support of him.

Mr Vines has battled two brain tumours, one affecting his eye sight - as well as spinal cancer which left him unable to walk.

But thanks to rounds of chemotherapy and numerous operations, the pair are looking forward to the future following his cancer free results.

+13

The once super-fit personal trainer's appearance (pictured left and right before his diagnosis) has been ravaged by the life-saving operations, intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy he has undergone since 2012

+13

Mr Vines at a fitness show when he was a personal trainer. Mr Vines has battled two brain tumours, one affecting his eye sight - as well as spinal cancer which left him unable to walk

Miss Meadows said: 'Me and Neil first met each other at play group and even though we grew apart after school, I was devastated when I heard he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

'I first got in touch with Neil over Facebook and I arranged to catch up with him at his house.

'From there we exchanged numbers and arranged cinema and coffee outings, it was nice being able to go out, spend time together and build a strong bond between the both of us.

'He was a healthy personal trainer, working out in Crete living life to the full so it was a sudden huge shock for him, his family and everyone who knew him.

'Neil's appearance had changed dramatically within a short space of time but he has always remained positive and brave.

'Over the past two and a half years Neil's cancer diagnosis has brought us closer than ever, we are best friends now.

+13

Mr Vines, pictured undergoing chemotherapy. Mr Vines was first diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour that had spread to his spine in 2012 after suffering severe headaches and neck pains

+13

Mr Vines pictured back lifting weights after his first brain tumour. Miss Meadows said: 'Me and Neil first met each other at play group and even though we grew apart after school, I was devastated when I heard he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour'

+13

Mr Vines pictured after beating the second brain tumour. Mr Vines was working abroad at the time he fell ill but once returned to the UK he underwent tests that led to his diagnosis

'I speak to him on a daily basis and I always try to pop round to his house to see him when I can.

'Neil has just beaten his second tumour that was close to the front of his brain, he is currently free of the tumour and we are all so happy for him as he deserved this recent news.'

Mr Vines was first diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour that had spread to his spine in 2012 after suffering severe headaches and neck pains.

He was working abroad at the time but once returned to the UK he underwent tests that led to his diagnosis.

Miss Meadows added: 'After operations, intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy Neil was then left unable to walk, however once his treatment had finished he was overly determined to get back on his feet.

WHAT ARE BRAIN TUMOURS? 

A brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain that multiply in an abnormal way.

There are brain tumours known as 'benign' tumours, which are not cancerous and tend to stay in one place.

However, Mr Vines had another type of brain tumour which was cancerous.

Cancerous brain tumours are generally fast-growing and can spread to other areas of the brain and spinal cord, such as in Mr Vine’s case.

There are about 5,000 new cases of cancerous brain tumours in the UK each year.

People with this type of cancer usually have surgery to have as much of the tumour removed as possible. 

This may be followed with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination of both.

However, malignant tumours will often return.

Steroids are also often prescribed for brain tumours to reduce swelling in the brain.

The brain tumour takes up space inside the skull and can increase the pressure inside the head. 

This can cause headaches, sickness and seizures.

Steroids are powerful anti inflammatory drugs which can stop the swelling.

However, one of the side affects of steroids is weight gain and water retention, which is why Mr Vines’ appearance changed.

Sources: NHS Choices and Cancer Research UK

+13

Mr Vines pictured raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust  after his first brain tumour

+13

Joanna and Neil after his first brain tumour diagnosis. He said: 'Neil is my inspiration and he has changed my whole outlook on life'

+13

She said: 'His one eyelid is stitched together and his whole body has swelled up due to the steroid treatment. He has suffered all sorts of side affects. He isn't scared anymore, he is always fighting back whatever life throws at him and has never asked "why me?"'

'Just when we all thought his battle was finally over, a routine scan revealed that he had a second tumour near the front of his brain.

'Neil needed further treatment and was put on a high dose of steroids to reduce the swelling on his brain.

'Myself and Neil's supportive family and friends felt helpless as we watched him go through his traumatic battle but everyone has been fantastic in being there every step of the way'

+13

After her head shave she said: 'My hair means a lot to me but after everything Neil has been through it was something I was adamant I wanted to do'

'His one eyelid is stitched together and his whole body has swelled up due to the steroid treatment. He has suffered all sorts of side affects.

'He isn't scared anymore, he is always fighting back whatever life throws at him and has never asked 'why me?'

'Neil is my inspiration and he has changed my whole outlook on life.'

She decided to shave her hair off to help raise funds for the charity that has helped Neil throughout his ordeal, The Teenage Cancer Trust.

She added: 'My hair means a lot to me but after everything Neil has been through it was something I was adamant I wanted to do.

'I thought about doing a charity walk but I needed to do something that would really catch people's attention.

'Neil had no choice about losing his hair so I thought I would shave mine too and prove a point that it doesn't matter what you look like it's the person you are inside that matters'

'So far I have raised just over £1,250 in total for the trust but I want to keep going, Neil is so proud of the funds I have achieved so far. '

The pair are looking forward to 2015 and seeing his health continue to improve - and Mr Vines hopes to get back to walking and running as soon as possible.

She added: 'Neil is having help to regain his strength and balance to walk again at the moment and we have decided to do a 5k run together, I have every faith in him that he can do it.

'I just pray and hope for a miracle that this is the end of Neil's cancer journey, I'll always be at Neil's side, we are best friends now.

'He gives me just as much support as I give back. I really do love him, words can't describe what an amazing young man he is and I'm so glad to have him in my life.'

Mr Vines has written a book documenting his journey called Powerful Beyond Measure. It goes on sale next month.

He added: 'Joanna's friendship has supported me throughout my cancer journey, her texts, calls and visits have helped get me through some really tough times.

'I'm looking forward to my book going on sale.'

To donate and help Joanna raise money for The Teenage Cancer Trust please click here or visit:www.justgiving.com/joanna-meadows

+13

Neil pictured with his mother soon after his diagnosis. The friends are looking forward to 2015 and seeing his health continue to improve - and Mr Vines hopes to get back to walking and running as soon as possible