Since around Easter time, Colin had been getting really anxious about all sorts of trivial things and the thinking was that his depression was perhaps deepening to include an anxiety element (which is not uncommon). However Jane was suspicious - she had read in the New Scientist some weeks previously about the functions of different parts of the brain, one of which is the amygdala which, amongst other things, affects the mood. She was also suspicious as these symptoms were pretty similar to those which Colin presented with in the months leading up to his collapse.
A series of doctor's appointments followed with blood tests, but the only thing discovered was slight hypothyroidism, for which medication was prescribed. Things didn't improve and finally, after much persistence in trying to get a scan arranged by either Cheltenham oncology or GP, Colin's GP requested an emergency scan to be done at Worcester. This was done on the 26th April but it was done without contrast and when something showed up on this scan another was arranged with contrast for the 6th May. So you can see - it took weeks to get this done and only now do we know the reason for Colin's malaise. The part of the brain affected is one which affects anxiety, sleeping patterns and would, if disrupted, cause a 'foggy' mind. And has the Consultant agreed last night, the site of the disease is pretty close to the amygdala - within 1 or 2 mm.
Sorry for the dearth of information on this blog recently - we have had IT issues(!) - but we will keep posting as things develop.
Colin & Jane.