“Being afraid wasn’t an option.” 3GG’s Aaron Chilcott undergoes major brain surgery

Aaron Chilcott’s story is a timely reminder to us all of just how precious life is – and how our circumstances can change in the blink of an eye.

The announcer at Capital Radio Network station 3GG in Victoria’s Gippsland region has returned to work after life-saving surgery to remove a cyst from his brain.

Just over a fortnight ago, Aaron – who was previously an announcer and Operations Manager with the ACE Radio Network – started having intense headaches and problems with his vision.

After a trip to the Emergency Department at West Gippsland Hospital, he was transferred by ambulance to a bigger hospital in Melbourne.

There, he underwent major brain surgery.

Looking back on the experience, Aaron says “From a brain MRI scan that I baulked at and almost refused due to the high cost, to suddenly having a GP telling me that they’d found ‘something’ inside my brain that shouldn’t be there, quickly leaving work in uncertainty, being sent by ambulance from Warragul to Clayton and prepared for ‘major’ brain surgery to save my life … it’s been a bit of an adjustment!”

Aaron says at no point did he feel any fear about what lay ahead.

“I just knew I had to get this thing cut out so that my life could return to normal … so that I can keep being a dad to my amazing kids, to continue being a husband to my incredible wife, and overall being a functioning member of society.”

“Being a closet sook deep down, I just had to just push all those scared feelings away… because, after all, being afraid simply wasn’t an option. Despite the risks, the cyst removal surgery absolutely had to happen.”

Located in the middle of his brain, Aaron says the cyst had been causing a blockage and a dangerous build up of fluid.

“Apparently I would have died in a few months, had I left this untreated.”

As he continues his recovery, Aaron has thanked his wife Jess and all who have supported him along the way.

“Thanks to everyone who’s been there for me since all of this started. Apart from Jess who spent each day with me in hospital, brought me home and shaved my head (to match the incision scar) here’s a big general appreciation post so I don’t forget anyone.”

“To everyone who supported Jess, reached out, called, visited me, sent me cards/gifts, had me in your thoughts/prayers and let me know that I’m loved, I love you too!”