Our Pal - Sophie A

Story written 2010

Sophie was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma when she was 15 months old. She went through the NB treatment (high dose chemo, stem cell transplant, surgery) and became NED (no evidence of disease).

Sadly, Sophie relapsed and at the time of writing this (24/02/2010) Sophie is expected to only have a small amount of days left.

We need to get lots of happy post to Sophie and her sister Jessica to make them smile.

Please send them first class and keep checking back for updates.

Update 12th March 2010

I’m very sad to say that Sophie’s battle with Neuroblastoma ended last night and she passed away peacefully in her Mum and Dads arms. Earlier in the day she had opened her eyes and said “Mammy”.

Thank you to everyone who sent post to Sophie and Jessica and created lots of precious smiles.

Update 10th March 2010

Sophie is still holding on. She has absolutely amazed me with her fighting spirit. Last night she woke and wanted to walk. She is so frail but her spirit inside is so strong and she walked! Through the night she was irritable and angry, I cannot begin to understand what is going on in her little body. I now wish and pray for her to be at peace and free from this disease.

Update 9th March 2010

Sophie continues to sleep. Her Morphine and Sedation pumps have been upped in a bid to make her more comfortable as she has been showing signs of distress.

Update 8th March 2010

Today is pretty much the same as yesterday, Sophie hasn’t woken, and her Morphine and sedative pumps are keeping her comfortable. Lord, how long must this pure torture go on? Today is such a beautiful sunny day, Sophie would enjoy the park today so much, yet she is asleep, frail, weak and stuck on the sofa with no ability to move.

Update 7th March 2010

Sophie hasn’t woken up for the second day in a row. Time is not on her side now.

Update 6th March 2010

Sophie is still battling on. She is very tired and weak and is now hooked up to morphine and sedative pumps to make her as comfortable as possible.

I am thinking of what Sophie as a two year old should be doing and think sometimes life is unfair.

Update 4th March 2010

Sophie was very poorly yesterday, we thought we were going to lose her, but she is still here fighting on.

Thank you so much for all your post and messages of support.

Update 1st March 2010

Not a good day for Sophie today. She’s been asleep a lot, irritable, uncomfortable and generally not at all happy. She didn’t even want a cuddle for most of the day, just wanted to be lying alone, not being touched. Her lumps are growing and her eyes are very bruised and swollen. Evil, ugly disease. It’s so devastating to have to observe. We’re just praying for a better day tomorrow, we would love an hour of happiness like we did yesterday. So sad to think we now class a “good day” as 1 or 2 hours of Sophie being happy and saying the odd word… something you’d think was such a bad day for children unaffected by such a horrible disease! It’s so unfair children have to go through things like this.

Update 28th February 2010

Sophie woke this morning very happy in her mammy’s arms. She has continued to amaze the doctors and nurses with her fighting spirit, even walking around today. She has watched Dora and, of course, Mickey Mouse. We know we are on borrowed time but we are enjoying it.

Update 27th February 2010 (10pm)

Another sleepy day for Sophie, but she is still amazing us with her strength, smiling and making us laugh when she is awake.

Update 26th February 2010

Sophie and Jessica have been inundated with post of gifts, cards and messages. It has been wonderful to see the few smiles Sophie has given today and Jess has been in her element opening all your lovely parcels. Thank you Post Pals, you do an amazing job, what a fantastic and rewarding organisation and THANKYOU so much to all you amazing people out there who have taken the time to make Sophie and Jessica’s last days together as special for them as it can be under the circumstances by sending all of these gifts.

Love Elaine (Sophie’s Aunt).