A dad’s undiagnosed mind tumor left him satisfied his loyal spouse was having an affair – and even made him go to sleep on the start of his son.
Father-of-four, Andy Hampton, 54, grew to become distant and apathetic, and paranoid his spouse of three years, Gemma, 37, was dishonest on him.
And after the start of son Henley, the once-doting dad confirmed an uncharacteristic lack of curiosity in his household and have become forgetful.
He later discovered the trigger for his weird signs was a lethal glioblastoma (GBM) mind tumor.
Gemma mentioned his regular character returned “immediately” after an operation to “debulk” – scale back the dimensions of – the tumor.
Gemma from Sturminster Newton, Dorset, mentioned: “We acquired collectively virtually eight years in the past and have at all times been safe in our relationship.
“Nevertheless, shortly after having Henley, I observed large modifications in Andy’s character.
“I might ask Andy to alter Henley’s nappy to which he would say he had a headache and I needed to do it.
“At first I believed it was an excuse and that he was struggling adapting to life with two younger youngsters.
“It felt as if Andy wasn’t listening to me, and since I stored declaring issues that he was doing incorrect, his paranoia brought on him to imagine issues that weren’t true.
“He stored saying he knew it was all in his head however he couldn’t cease the ideas.
Land agent Andy fell asleep on the start of his son, Henley, in Might 2022.
And from March to Might 2023 Gemma mentioned he was “all over” and added: “The rare episodes of confusion and paranoia had been now each day.”
The “last straw” got here when he was making the mattress and couldn’t work out learn how to take the quilt out of the quilt.
He booked a test up together with his GP.
On the way in which to the appointment, Andy vomited and the physician referred him urgently to A&E at Dorset County Hospital with a suspected an infection.
Inside 24 hours Andy’s cognition had deteriorated. He had a scan and was identified with a glioblastoma (GBM).
A glioblastoma is a fast-growing kind of tumor that’s the most typical kind of main malignant mind tumor in adults.
He had debulking surgical procedure on 31 Might 2023 at Southampton Common Hospital adopted by six weeks of mixed radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Gemma mentioned: “Immediately after the operation Andy’s temper modified, and his character resembled the previous Andy.
“We felt higher figuring out that there was one thing responsible for Andy’s habits and that it wasn’t our marriage breaking down.
“We knew what we had been coping with and will work on a plan of motion on learn how to battle the most cancers.”
Whereas he undergoes a second cycle of chemotherapy, Andy has signed up to participate in a sponsored stroll for the charity Mind Tumour Analysis.
The Stroll of Hope in Swanage is a fundraising occasion will happen on September 30 and raises funds to assist discover a remedy for the illness.
Gemma, who started fundraising for the charity by promoting home-grown greens when Andy was identified, mentioned: “Andy has actually felt the fatigue that comes with each spherical of remedy.
“He has at all times been an energetic individual and collectively we’ve got been going out on household walks in preparation for the occasion on the finish of September.
“This might be an actual problem for him.”
Mel Tiley, the neighborhood growth supervisor at Mind Tumour Analysis, mentioned: “Andy’s story is a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of mind tumors, which may have an effect on anybody at any time.
“They kill extra males underneath 70 than prostate most cancers, but simply 1% of the nationwide spend on most cancers analysis has been allotted to this devastating illness since information started in 2002.
“We’re decided to alter this however it’s solely by working collectively we will enhance remedy choices for sufferers and, finally, discover a remedy.”
To donate to Mind Tumour Analysis by way of Andy and Gemma’s Stroll of Hope, please go to: http://www.justgiving.com/page/andy-hampton-1693331968341
