A dad’s undiagnosed brain tumor left him convinced his loyal wife was having an affair – and even made him fall asleep at the birth of his son.
Father-of-four, Andy Hampton, 54, became distant and apathetic, and paranoid his wife of three years, Gemma, 37, was cheating on him.
And after the birth of son Henley, the once-doting dad showed an uncharacteristic lack of interest in his family and became forgetful.
He later found the cause for his bizarre symptoms was a deadly glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumor.
Gemma said his normal personality returned “instantly” after an operation to “debulk” – reduce the size of – the tumor.
Gemma from Sturminster Newton, Dorset, said: “We got together almost eight years ago and have always been secure in our relationship.
“However, shortly after having Henley, I noticed huge changes in Andy’s personality.
“I would ask Andy to change Henley’s nappy to which he would say he had a headache and I had to do it.
“At first I thought it was an excuse and that he was struggling adapting to life with two young children.
“It felt as though Andy wasn’t listening to me, and because I kept pointing out things that he was doing wrong, his paranoia caused him to believe things that weren’t true.
“He kept saying he knew it was all in his head but he couldn’t stop the thoughts.
Land agent Andy fell asleep at the birth of his son, Henley, in May 2022.
And from March to May 2023 Gemma said he was “all over the place” and added: “The infrequent episodes of confusion and paranoia were now daily.”
The “final straw” came when he was making the bed and couldn’t figure out how to take the duvet out of the cover.
He booked a check up with his GP.
On the way to the appointment, Andy vomited and the doctor referred him urgently to A&E at Dorset County Hospital with a suspected infection.
Within 24 hours Andy’s cognition had deteriorated. He had a scan and was diagnosed with a glioblastoma (GBM).
A glioblastoma is a fast-growing type of tumor that is the most common type of primary malignant brain tumor in adults.
He had debulking surgery on 31 May 2023 at Southampton General Hospital followed by six weeks of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Gemma said: “Instantly after the operation Andy’s mood changed, and his personality resembled the old Andy.
“We felt better knowing that there was something to blame for Andy’s behavior and that it wasn’t our marriage breaking down.
“We knew what we were dealing with and could work on a plan of action on how to battle the cancer.”
While he undergoes a second cycle of chemotherapy, Andy has signed up to take part in a sponsored walk for the charity Brain Tumour Research.
The Walk of Hope in Swanage is a fundraising event will take place on September 30 and raises funds to help find a cure for the disease.
Gemma, who began fundraising for the charity by selling home-grown vegetables when Andy was diagnosed, said: “Andy has really felt the fatigue that comes with every round of treatment.
“He has always been an active person and together we have been going out on family walks in preparation for the event at the end of September.
“This will be a real challenge for him.”
Mel Tiley, the community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Andy’s story is a stark reminder of the indiscriminate nature of brain tumors, which can affect anyone at any time.
“They kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer, yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
“We’re determined to change this but it’s only by working together we will be able to improve treatment options for patients and, ultimately, find a cure.”
To donate to Brain Tumour Research via Andy and Gemma’s Walk of Hope, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/page/andy-hampton-1693331968341
