A father’s undiagnosed brain tumor left him convinced his loyal wife was having an affair — and even caused him to fall asleep during the birth of his son.
Andy Hampton, 54, a father of four, became distant and apathetic and feared his wife Gemma, 37, was cheating on him.
And after the birth of son Henley, the once devoted father showed an unusual lack of interest in his family and became forgetful.
He later discovered that the cause of his strange symptoms was a deadly glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumor.
Gemma said his normal personality returned “immediately” after surgery to “shrink” the tumour.
Gemma, from Sturminster Newton, Dorset, said: “We got together almost eight years ago and have always felt safe in our relationship.
“But shortly after I got Henley, I noticed big changes in Andy’s personality.
“I asked Andy to change Henley’s diaper, to which he replied that he had a headache and that I should do it.
“At first I thought it was an excuse and that he was having trouble adjusting to life with two young children.
“I felt like Andy wasn’t listening to me and because I kept pointing out things he was doing wrong, his paranoia made him believe things that weren’t true.
He kept saying that he knew it was all in his head, but he couldn’t stop the thoughts.
Real estate agent Andy fell asleep during the birth of his son Henley in May 2022.
And from March to May 2023, Gemma said he was “everywhere,” adding: “The rare episodes of confusion and paranoia were now daily.”
The last straw was when he made the bed and didn’t know how to get the duvet out of the cover.
He made an appointment with his GP for a check-up.
On the way to the appointment, Andy vomited and the doctor rushed him to Dorset County Hospital A&E with a suspected infection.
Within 24 hours, Andy’s cognition had deteriorated. He had a scan and was diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM).
Glioblastoma is a fast-growing tumor and the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults.
On May 31, 2023, he underwent debulking surgery at Southampton General Hospital, followed by six weeks of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Gemma said: “Straight after the operation Andy’s mood changed and his personality looked like the old Andy again.
“We felt better knowing that we had something to blame for Andy’s behavior and that it wasn’t the reason our marriage ended.
“We knew what we were dealing with and were able to develop an action plan to combat the cancer.”
While undergoing 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 taking place on September 30th to raise money for the search for a cure for the disease.
Gemma, who raised money for the charity by selling home-grown vegetables when Andy was diagnosed, said: “Andy has really felt the fatigue that comes with each round of treatment.
“He has always been an active person and together with him we went on family walks in preparation for the event at the end of September.
“This will be a real challenge for him.”
Mel Tiley, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Andy’s story is a painful reminder of the random nature of brain tumours, which can strike anyone at any time.
“They kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer, yet only 1% of national cancer research spending has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2002.
“We are determined to change this, but only by working together can we improve treatment options for patients and ultimately find a cure.”
To donate to Brain Tumour Research through Andy and Gemma’s Walk of Hope, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/page/andy-hampton-1693331968341