May 6th 2024.
For years, Tia Gordon from Northampton had been struggling to find answers to her health issues. Despite numerous visits to doctors, she was repeatedly misdiagnosed with sickness bugs and migraines. Tia's mother, Imogen Darby, who works as a pharmacy dispenser, had been seeking help for her daughter's migraines and vomiting for over three years. However, despite her efforts, Tia was only given medication and her glasses prescription was changed multiple times.
After being told that the wait for an MRI scan would be eight months, Imogen became increasingly concerned about her daughter's health. It wasn't until Tia's balance and ability to walk were affected that she was finally given an emergency scan. The results were shocking – Tia had a 3.5cm brain tumour.
Imogen recalled the frustrating journey she had been on, trying to get Tia the proper care she needed. She had taken Tia to countless doctors' appointments, called NHS 111, and even visited A&E, but was always told that Tia's symptoms were not urgent enough. It wasn't until Tia's condition became severe that she was taken seriously.
In March 2020, during the Covid lockdown, Tia's symptoms worsened, and she started to become sick more frequently. Imogen was constantly calling doctors and taking Tia to appointments, but nothing seemed to help. Tia's neck also became stiff, but doctors dismissed it as a result of sleeping funny. It wasn't until Tia's school noticed her holding her neck strangely and being off balance that she was finally referred to a paediatrician.
Even then, the consultant only agreed to do an MRI for peace of mind, as they believed Tia's neck issue was not urgent. However, as Tia's symptoms continued to worsen, her mother knew that something was not right. Eventually, Tia's vomiting became so severe that she was admitted to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed her tumour.
Tia underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove the benign tumour. While it was a successful operation, she still faces regular check-ups and physiotherapy. But Tia remains positive and is determined to get back to her favorite activities, such as reading and spending time with her family. She is nicknamed "Doctor Doolittle" for her love of animals.
Tia's story is unfortunately not uncommon. The Brain Tumour Charity has expressed its support for Tia and her family and highlights the need for a National Brain Tumour Strategy to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment for patients. Imogen hopes that by sharing her daughter's journey, more people will be aware of the symptoms and seek help earlier. Together, they are also raising funds for Young Lives vs Cancer through an epic hike along the Jurassic Coast. Tia's strength and resilience are an inspiration to us all.
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