Sophie was a normal, healthy 2-year-old girl until May 18, 2017.
When she became ill, parents Shelby and Jonathan thought their two-year-old daughter Sophie was suffering from allergies.
She was having trouble breathing, and her doctor suspected asthma. But it soon became clear that the situation was much more serious.
Sophie was scheduled to take an allergy test a few days later. But she never got to take the test.
One night, she simply stopped breathing. It’s every parent’s nightmare. Shelby and Jonathan ran to call an ambulance. A few minutes later, they were on their way to the hospital.
It was only there that doctors were able to confirm that Sophie was suffering from something much worse than asthma and allergies.
Doctors discovered a softball-sized mass in Sophie’s chest. She had developed T-cell lymphoma. Cancer. The little girl was suddenly in a fight for survival.
Unfortunately, aggressive chemotherapy failed to stop the cancer from spreading. The treatments affected Sophie’s ability to walk, talk, use her hands and eat.
While the little girl fought to survive, her parents spent countless hours by her side in the hospital.
Sophie’s mother, Shelby, kept constant vigil by her daughter’s side. Shelby’s only concern was Sophie and how she was being treated.
Her weakened body needed a stem cell donation.
In this chaotic and difficult situation, the mother noticed a special nurse who tried very hard to keep a low profile. But Shelby was watching her.
After taking a photo as the nurse turned away, Shelby posted the image on the Facebook page the parents created to document Sophie’s battle with the disease.
“I see you,” Shelby wrote as she revealed everything she had observed while caring for her daughter.
Mother Shelby writes:
“I see you. I sit on this couch all day and I see you. You try so hard to stay unnoticed by me and my child.
I see your face sink a little when she sees you and cries. You try in so many ways to ease her fears and win her heart. I see you hesitate to prick her or pull off bandages. You say ‘no pain’ and ‘I’m sorry’ several times a day, more than most people say ‘thank you’.
I see all those rubber bands on your arms and around your stethoscope, each one for a child you have cared for and loved.
I see you stroking her little bald head and wrapping the blanket tightly around her. I see you holding the crying mother who has received bad news. I see you trying to log on the computer while holding the baby whose mother can’t or won’t be at the hospital.
You put your own life aside for 12 hours at a time to care for very sick and dying children. You walk into every room with a smile no matter what’s happening there. You see Sophie’s name on the schedule and come to check on us even when she’s not your patient.
You call the doctor, blood bank, and pharmacy as often as you need to make sure my child gets what he needs quickly. You check on me just as often as you check on her. You sit down and listen to me 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 basket of snacks or cards can truly express how much you are appreciated. You are Jesus to us every single day. Our children wouldn’t get what they need without you. Moms like me wouldn’t feel normal 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 other parents who had similar experiences and also saw that the nurses are the backbone of the pediatric ward.
These nurses have an unimaginably difficult job as they experience the worst times in any parent’s life over and over again, day after day.
Unfortunately, Sophie never got the chance to grow old and say ‘thank you’ to all the nurses who fought to keep her alive.
Her little body just couldn’t handle all the treatments and aggressive cancer anymore.
On December 22, 2017, she relapsed again and the family decided to stop treatment. Sophie was done.
Parents Shelby and Jonathan had 13 days to cuddle, read, sing, watch movies and give love until Sophie died in their arms on January 4, 2018.
“My goal throughout this entire process was to be transparent and honest and shed light on what really happens during a battle with cancer. I didn’t sugarcoat the bad days, but I was also able to show the amazing work the Lord has done during this process. I hope to continue to do that as we move on without her,” Shelby says.
Cancer is truly the worst thing I can think of. Especially when it affects children.
Sophie’s story is a reminder to live all of your days as if they were your last. To love like there’s no tomorrow.
Her story also shows that the amazing nurses and hospital staff deserve recognition.
As healers, helpers, playmates, storytellers, counselors and comforters, they touch countless lives by caring not only for their little patients, but for their entire family.
Willingly, they go into a battle most of us pray to avoid. And they do it day after day, for one family at a time.
Share Mom Shelby’s words about nurses and hospital staff so more people know about the incredible work they do.
