Interview With Linda Rickford:
When Linda Rickford’s son was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumour, her family’s life changed forever. What began as tiredness and sickness soon became a frightening medical emergency.
After months of uncertainty, repeated hospital visits and a desperate search for answers, Linda finally discovered the truth behind her son David’s symptoms.
Today, she shares her family’s experience to raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms, encourage parents to trust their instincts, and support the Astro Brain Tumour Fund.
Linda’s Story
Linda’s son David had already faced serious illness before his brain tumour diagnosis.
In 2004, David was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He underwent surgery and chemoradiotherapy and thankfully went into remission.
The family were preparing to celebrate his recovery when new symptoms began to appear.
During the summer of 2008, David became extremely tired. He was constantly fatigued, often falling asleep during the day, and looked pale and unwell.
Naturally, Linda became concerned because of his previous cancer history.
Listen to Linda tell her story in full below, or keep reading for the written version
Early Brain Tumour Symptoms Were Missed
Linda took David to the GP, where blood tests were carried out. However, the results showed nothing unusual.
Soon after, David began vomiting.
At first, the sickness was occasional. Then it became more frequent and severe.
Doctors prescribed medication for stomach problems, believing the issue might be gastritis. Unfortunately, the treatment made no difference.
One night, David became so unwell that Linda rushed him to hospital.
Despite his worsening condition, no clear cause was found.
He was later admitted only after vomiting blood in front of doctors.
After several days of tests, David was discharged with a diagnosis of gastritis.
A Mother Refused to Give Up
Within days, David’s symptoms returned.
Linda took him back to hospital, where he was admitted again for observation. The next afternoon, he was discharged.
However, before they even reached the car park, David was vomiting again.
Linda knew something was seriously wrong.
She refused to take him home and went straight back inside the hospital.
After hours of waiting in A&E, staff agreed to keep him in overnight. Later that evening, Linda received a phone call saying he would be discharged the following morning because beds were needed for more urgent patients.
Linda was devastated and frustrated.
The next morning, she arranged an urgent private consultation.
That decision changed everything.
The Ependymoma Brain Tumour Diagnosis
Later that same day, Linda received a call from the specialist.
David had an abnormality on his brain scan.
He was immediately admitted for an MRI scan, which confirmed he had an ependymoma brain tumour.
By this stage, the tumour had blocked the drainage of spinal fluid, causing dangerous pressure on the brain. This pressure had been causing the severe vomiting and other symptoms.
Within days, David underwent emergency surgery.
Surgery, Recovery and New Challenges
Thankfully, the operation was successful.
However, David’s recovery was not easy.
While in hospital, he contracted Meningitis and remained in hospital for five weeks.
He later needed radiotherapy and continued to face post-operative health challenges.
Even so, Linda says he has shown incredible strength throughout everything he has endured.
Like many mothers and sons, they still have their disagreements. Yet Linda says she is immensely proud of him.
She believes the determination that sometimes frustrates her is also the quality that helped him survive.
Why Linda Supports the Astro Brain Tumour Fund
After treatment ended, Linda entered a new stage many families understand well — life after cancer.
There were still questions, worries and uncertainty.
Searching online for help, Linda discovered the Astro Brain Tumour Fund.
The charity supports patients and families affected by low-grade astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, oligoastrocytoma and ependymoma brain tumours.
Linda says the charity gave her comfort, support and hope when her family needed it most.
She also values that fundraising goes directly towards research, with only minimal administration costs.
Why Linda Is Sharing Her Story
Linda wants other families to recognise the signs of a brain tumour and to keep asking questions when something does not feel right.
Her story is a reminder that parents know when their child is unwell.
Persistence can save lives.
