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Burnaby councillor ‘in good spirits’ after doctors find brain tumour

Biopsy scheduled for Nov. 25
Nick Volkow
Coun. Nick Volkow is encouraging everyone, especially men, to get severe headaches checked out.

A longtime Burnaby city councillor has taken a leave of absence to deal with a brain tumour.

Coun. Nick Volkow, who was first elected to Burnaby city council in 1996, told the NOW he’s been having headaches and nausea recently. He went to the emergency room at Burnaby Hospital last Wednesday and was scheduled in for a CT scan that Friday. Volkow was then transferred to Royal Columbian Hospital that evening.

Doctors called him the following Monday to let him know they found a brain tumour and that he’d need to get a biopsy on Nov. 25 to find out if it’s malignant or benign.

The prognosis seems to be good, according to Volkow.

“(After) talking to my surgeon, talking to the anesthesiologist these last couple of days, it’s pretty positive. We’re positive,” he said. “I’m in good hands and I’m feeling pretty good about it. I’m feeling upbeat.”

While he deals with his health, Coun. Anne Kang will assume his responsibilities on the social planning committee (she’s currently vice-chair), while Lance Matricardi (deputy chairperson) will do the same for the parks, recreation and culture commission.

Volkow encourages everyone, especially men, to get checked out if they’re experiencing severe headaches with a bout of nausea.

“Most men, we just think, ‘Oh god, it’s a headache, whatever. I’m not going to go bug anybody about a headache; take a couple of aspirins, right?’” he said.

The father-of-three added he’s unsure how long his leave of absence will be, but said he’ll take a wait-and-see approach.

“Not every day you come down with this situation,” he said.

As a city councillor, Volkow has helped bring four youth centres to the city and two skateboard parks. He was part of the dredging and rejuvenation of Burnaby Lake, a $20-million project that saw about 180,000 cubic metres of sediment removed from the bottom of the lake. Among other things, he’s been a strong promoter and supporter of the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival.