Cancer is really the worst thing I can think of. Especially when it targets children.
Shelby and Jonathan thought their two-year-old daughter Sophie was suffering from allergies. She was struggling to breathe and her doctor suspected asthma. But it would soon be clear that the situation was much worse.
Sophie was scheduled to have an allergy test a few days later. But she never got to take the test.
She stopped breathing one night.
It’s every parent’s nightmare. Shelby and Jonathan ran to call an ambulance. Minutes later they were on their way to the hospital.
It was only then that the doctors could confirm that Sophie was suffering from something much worse than asthma and allergies. She had developed T-cell lymphoma. Cancer.
Since then Sophie has spent months in hospital going through chemotherapy. Despite her putting up a tough fight, the cancer spread.
The chemotherapy has affected her ability to walk, talk, use her hands and eat. Right now her tiny body is enduring the preparations for a stem cell operation.
Sophie’s mom, Shelby, keeps constant watch by her daughter’s side. Often there is so much on her mind that she forgets to take care of herself. The only thing that counts is making sure Sophie gets better.
The parents have created a Facebook page to document Sophie’s fight against the disease. They want family and friends to have an easy way to check in and see updates on how Sophie is doing. The page is called Sophie The Brave.
But it’s not just family that follows the page. Today there are over 12,000 people following Sophie’s journey.
There is one particular post on the page that has been hugely appreciated. Other moms with sick children will likely relate to Shelby’s words. The post is about the nurses and other hospital staff that take care of Sophie.
Mom Shelby writes:
“I see you. I sit on this couch all day long and, I see you. You try so hard to be unnoticed by me and my child. I see your face drop a little when she sees you and cries. You try so many ways to ease her fears and win her over. I see you hesitate to stick her or pull bandaids off. You say ‘No owies’ and ‘I’m sorry’ more times in one day than most people say ‘thank you’..
I see all of those rubber bracelets on your arms and wrapped around your stethoscope, each one for a child that you’ve cared for and loved. I see you stroke her little bald head and tuck her covers around her tightly. I see you holding the crying mom that got bad news.I see you trying to chart on the computer while holding the baby whose mom can’t-or won’t be at the hospital with her.”
“You put aside what’s happening in your life for 12 hours straight to care for very sick and something’s dying children. You go into each room with a smile no matter what’s happening in there. You see Sophie’s name on the schedule and come to check on us even when she isn’t your patient. You call the doctor, blood bank, and pharmacy as many times as necessary to get my child what she needs in a timely manner. You check on me as often as you check on her. You sit and listen to me ramble for 10 minutes even though your phone is buzzing and your to do list is a mile long.”
“I see you. We all see you. No amount of snack baskets or cards can fully express how appreciated you are. You are Jesus to us every single day. Our children wouldn’t get what they need without you. Moms like me wouldn’t feel sane or heard without you. You save our babies and we couldn’t do this without you.”
Shelby’s post has received 27,000 likes and I can definitely understand why. All of the amazing nurses and other hospital staff really deserve to be recognized! They do such an incredible job.
We hope that Sophie makes a full recovery soon. Because it turns out that the family recently got some good news – Sophie’s cancer is almost completely gone!
Share mom Shelby’s words about nursery and hospital staff so that more people can read about the incredible work they do!
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