Sophie was a normal, healthy 2 year old until May 18, 2017.
When she fell ill, parents Shelby and Jonathan thought their two-year-old daughter Sophie had allergies.
She was having trouble breathing, and her doctor thought it might be asthma. But soon, it became clear that things were much more serious.
Sophie was supposed to have an allergy test a few days later. But she never got to take that test.
One night, she stopped breathing. Share
It’s a nightmare for any parent. Shelby and Jonathan quickly called for an ambulance. Minutes later, they were rushing to the hospital.
Only then could the doctors confirm that Sophie was dealing with something far worse than asthma and allergies.
Doctors found a mass in little Sophie’s chest that was about the size of a softball. She was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma. Cancer. This meant that the young girl was now facing a huge battle for her life.
Unfortunately, the strong chemotherapy didn’t work to stop her cancer from getting worse. The treatments made it hard for Sophie to walk, talk, use her hands, and even eat.
While little Sophie was fighting to survive, her parents were there for her, spending many hours by her side in the hospital.
Sophie’s mom, Shelby, is always supportive of her daughter. Shelby only focused on Sophie and how people treated her.
Sophie’s frail body required a stem cell transplant.
During this difficult and chaotic time, the mom noticed a special nurse who was trying really hard to remain unnoticed. But Shelby was observant.
After snapping a photo when the nurse wasn’t paying attention, Shelby posted it on the Facebook page created by the parents to document Sophie’s fight against the illness.
“I see you,” Shelby wrote, sharing all the things she noticed during her daughter’s treatment.
Mom Shelby says:
“I see you. I sit on this couch all day, and I see you. You try really hard to stay hidden from me and my child.
I can see your expression change a little when she spots you and starts to cry. You do so many things to help her feel better and to make her like you. I notice you hesitate before giving her a shot or removing a bandaid. You say ‘No owies’ and ‘I’m sorry’ more times in one day than most people say ‘thank you’…
I see all those rubber bracelets on your arms and your stethoscope, each one standing for a child you’ve looked after and cared about.
I watch you softly pet her little bald head and carefully wrap her in her blankets. I notice you comforting the mom who is crying after getting bad news. I see you trying to type on the computer while holding the baby whose mom isn’t able to be at the hospital with her.
You put everything else in your life on hold for 12 hours to help very sick kids, including some who are dying. You enter every room with a smile, no matter what is happening inside. When you see Sophie’s name on the schedule, you come to see us even if she’s not your patient.
You call the doctor, the blood bank, and the pharmacy as many times as needed to ensure my child gets what she needs quickly. You check on me just as much as you check on her. You take the time to listen to me talk for 10 minutes, even though your phone is buzzing and your to-do list is really long.
I see you. We all see you. No amount of snack baskets or cards can truly express how much we value you. You are like a hero to us every day. Our kids wouldn’t get what they need without your help. Moms like me wouldn’t feel calm or heard without you. You rescue our little ones, and we couldn’t manage this without you.
Shelby’s heartfelt message didn’t just touch the nurses she was talking about; it also connected with other parents who have had similar experiences and realized that the nurses are the foundation of the pediatric unit.
These nurses have really tough jobs because they face the hardest moments of any parent’s life, over and over, every single day.
Unfortunately, Sophie never had the opportunity to grow old and express her gratitude to all the nurses who worked hard to keep her alive.
Her small body just couldn’t cope with all the treatments and the tough cancer.
She relapsed again on December 22, 2017, and the family chose to stop the treatment. Sophie was ready to let go.
Parents Shelby and Jonathan enjoyed 13 days filled with cuddles, reading, singing, watching movies, and loving each other until Sophie passed away in their arms on January 4, 2018.
“My aim throughout this whole journey has been to be open and honest and to highlight what really happens during a fight against cancer. I haven’t hidden the tough days, but I’ve also been able to show the amazing work the Lord has done through all of this. I hope to keep doing that as we move forward without her,” says Shelby.
Cancer is really the worst thing I can think of. Especially when it targets children.
Sophie’s story reminds us to treat every day like it could be our last. We should love as if there’s no tomorrow.
Her story also highlights how the incredible nurses and hospital staff deserve our appreciation.
As healers, helpers, playmates, storytellers, counselors, and comforters, they impact many lives, caring not just for their little patients but also for their whole families.
They bravely enter a battle that most of us hope to escape. And they do this every single day for one family after another.
Share mom Shelby’s words about nursery and hospital staff so that more people can read about the incredible work they do.