A TEACHER diagnosed with a brain tumour says his boss saved his life after spotting his “strange” behaviour.

Matt Schlag began developing migraines while studying to become a primary school teacher.

The 43-year-old’s boss called him out for behaving strangely and often being late after noticing the Matt would become confused mid-conversation and was often getting lost around the school.

Matt visited hospital and was diagnosed with an anaplastic astrocytoma brain tumour in October 2019 - and credits his boss with saving his life.

The father of two is now working with charity Brain Tumour Research to raise awareness of the disease, and is set to complete the London to Brighton Cycle Ride.

He said his migraines began to become “intense”.

“My boss said, ‘you need to get this properly checked out because you’re behaving strangely’, as my timekeeping had become so poor and I was getting lost not only in conversations but around the school building itself,” he said.

“I was away with the fairies, and I wasn’t my usual eloquent self. I was awkward in conversation, and I wasn’t really engaging with people like I usually would.

“My boss was instrumental in helping me deal with the situation and getting me sorted out as I wasn’t capable at the time. His intervention saved my life.”

Three days after a scan, Matt underwent surgery. He undertook three months of radiotherapy and 12 months of chemotherapy.

The Argus: Matt Schlag with his wife Louise Matt Schlag with his wife Louise

But in August 2020, a check-up scan showed his tumour had grown again.

“Louise, my wife, and I had celebrated with Champagne, thinking that I had beaten this and that we could draw a line under it,” he said.

Matt, from Leeds, had a second operation on in September 2020, followed by six months of chemotherapy.

But now, Matt is to take on the 55-mile bike ride on September 11 with his friends Chris Lumb, 44, and Chris Keithley, 43, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

“I just wanted to make something positive out of what’s happened,” he said. “It’s so important to raise money to help find a cure because, until a cure is found, there’s always the worry that the tumour can come back again.”

Matthew Price, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re really grateful to Matt and his two friends for taking on this challenge, as it’s only with the support of people like them that we’re able to progress our research into brain tumours and improve the outcome for patients like Matt who are forced to fight this awful disease.

“Brain tumours are indiscriminate. They can affect anyone at any time. Too little is known about the causes and that is why increased investment in research is vital.”