Ca-ncer is one of the worst things, especially in children. Jonathan and Shelby thought that their 2-year-old daughter, Sophie was suffering from allergies. She was finding it hard to breathe and her doctor thought it might be asthma.
Unfortunately, it soon going to be evident that it was much worse! The little girl, Sophie, had to do an allergy test a few days later, but she didn’t get to take that test.
One night, she stopped breathing. It’s a worst-case scenario for all parents. Her parents ran to call an ambulance and within minutes they were on their way to the hospital.
At that moment, doctors finally confirmed that Sophie was suffering from a much worse problem than just asthma or allergies. She had developed ca-ncer, a T-cell lymphoma. Sophie has since then spent many months in hospital having chemotherapy, even though fi-ghting it hard the ca-ncer spread.
The treatment affected her ability to speak, walk, use her hands to eat, her tiny body is going through the preparations for a stem cell operation.
Shelby is constantly watching her daughter and is always by her side.
So many times Shelby forgets to take care of herself, it’s just the only thought she has, to get Sophie better!
Jonathan and Shelby have created a Facebook page to record Sophie’s f-ight against the disease. They want their friends and family alike to have an easy method to see updates on how Sophie is getting along. The page is called Sophie The Brave.
It’s not just family that follows the page, there are over 50,000 people following Sophie’s f-ight.
There is one post on the page that has especially been welcomed. Moms with sick children will also relate, very likely, to what Shelby’s said.
Shelby wrote:
“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 st-roke 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 d-ying 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, bl-ood 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 heartfelt message touched not only the nurses she wrote the post for, but also other parents who had similar experiences and also saw that the nurses are the backbone of the pediatric unit.
These nurses jobs are unimaginably difficult as they live through the worst times of any parent’s life, over and over again, every day. Sadly, Sophie never had the chance to grow old and say “thank you” to all the nurses who f-ought to keep her alive.
Her tiny body just couldn’t handle all the treatments and ag-gressive ca-ncer.
She again relapsed on December 22, 2017, and the family decided to withdraw treatment. Sophie was done.
Parents Shelby and Jonathan got 13 days of cuddling, reading, singing, watching movies, and loving until Sophie pas-sed away in their arms on January 4, 2018.
”My goal through this entire process has been to be transparent and honest and shine the light on what really goes on during a battle against ca-ncer.
I haven’t sugarcoated the bad days but, I’ve also been able to show the great work the Lord has done throughout this. I hope to continue to do that as we continue on without her”, says Shelby.
Sophie’s story is such a reminder to use all your days as if they were the last. To love like there is no tomorrow. Her story also shows that the amazing nurses and other hospital staff deserve to be recognized.
As healers, helpers, playmates, storytellers, counselors, and comforters, they touch countless lives, caring not only for their pint-sized patients but looking out for their entire family as well.
Willingly, they go into a battle most of us pray to avoid.
And, they do it day after day for one family after another.
This Story Was Originally Published On “wakeupyourmind.net”
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