Sophie had a wish, and this month her mother is going to parliament to fulfill that wish. Sophie’s death has brought about the first House of Commons debate on childhood cancer.
The Daily Mail recently published an interview with Charlotte Fairall of Stubbington, Hampshire on ITV’s This Morning. Sophie’s mother Charlotte told viewers about a misdiagnosis that led to Sophie’s death from a rare cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. The cancer forms in a child’s soft tissue. It affects approximately sixty children in the United Kingdom every year.
Charlotte told the audience that symptoms Sophie’s doctor described as “normal” should have been given closer attention. It was not her period as he said that was causing excessive bleeding. It was cancer.
Sophie’s Journey
Charlotte said that in July 2020 Sophie began to have stomach pains, abnormal bleeding, and nausea. The pain and bleeding continued through the summer but became quite severe in August. Despite her doctor’s dismissal of Sophie’s symptoms, Charlotte took Sophie to the emergency room, where the doctors discovered a 12 cm tumor in Sophie’s abdomen.
They operated immediately but were only able to remove 95% of the tumor. Sophie then had several additional surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the cancer returned.
Sophie Never Gave Up
Charlotte describes Sophie as having been a positive, happy child who had a smile for everyone. She was always optimistic. Sophie said that since doctors make people better, she knows they will make her better.
While Sophie was in the hospital she painted and sold ceramics. She managed to raise £6,000, which is the equivalent of approximately $7,500 U.S. But most importantly, Sophie created a bucket list. At the top of the list was a wish to make parents aware of the symptoms of childhood cancer.
Charlotte wanted the viewers to know that the symptoms Sophie’s doctor described as “normal” should have been given closer attention. Although her thoughts are always with her daughter, Charlotte has a strong desire to alert parents to look for certain signs that will hopefully save the lives of their children.
Sophie’s Other Wish
Sophie’s other wish was about her mother and all the parents who sit at their child’s bedside for many hours, usually skipping meals. She was very concerned and often questioned why the hospital did not make accommodations for parents. Charlotte dutifully added her daughter’s wish to her presentation at Parliament. She said that her presentation is all about fulfilling her daughter’s last wishes and hopefully saving other children.
