A MUM whose “debilitating” symptoms were dismissed as heartburn was given just six months to live – and she’s terrified her three-year-old daughter won’t remember her.
When Sophie Louise Wright couldn’t keep anything but dry bread down and suffered intense pain under her ribs, she questioned if it was all in her head.
Jam PressSophie Louise Wright with her fiancé, Lewis, and their daughter[/caption]
Jam PressDoctors first put Sophie’s debilitating symptoms down to acid reflux[/caption]
But was later diagnosed with metastatic lower GI adenocarcinoma cancer in her bowel – with doctors saying she had just months to liveJam Press
The oncology secretary, from Torquay, Devon, had previously undergone surgery to remove polyps – tissue growth – from her bowel and thought her “debilitating” symptoms were a result of this.
But as she gradually became sicker – rapidly losing weight, having to call off work and struggling to take care of her daughter – she decided enough was enough.
Now, the 34-year-old has been given six months to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, she’s hoping to find treatment to give her precious time with her three-year-old daughter.
The mum is terrified that her little one will forget her.
“When my daughter is mentioned or I think about the time I have left with her, I cannot contain my emotions,” Sophie told NeedToKnow.
“My biggest fear is not being around to watch her grow up.
“She’s nearly four and I don’t think she’ll remember much of her life at this stage – so I’m worried she’ll forget me.
“I don’t want anybody to replace me. I just want to be her mum forever.
“I’d happily live with cancer destroying my life forever if it meant I got to be with her.”
My life was totally ruined and I questioned whether there was something mentally wrong with me, as all my results came back clear
Sophie Louise Wright
Sophie underwent the polyp removal in May 2023 after experiencing bleeding from her bottom.
Up until her cancer diagnosis in October 2023, she had also struggled with going to the toilet, which left her feeling bloated.
While the biopsies from the polyp removal came back negative, she had a gut feeling that something much worse was going on.
She said: “I thought perhaps the polyps had spread across my body – but I didn’t think it was cancer.
“I gradually became sicker, more tired, losing weight and finding life hard.
“I had to cancel all plans with friends and family as I couldn’t eat food and I was left housebound.
“It made my relationship with my daughter and fiancé harder, too, as I gave up.
“My life was totally ruined and I questioned whether there was something mentally wrong with me, as all my results came back clear.”
The mum claims she was given anti-sickness tablets and told it was likely due to acid reflux or a stomach ulcer.
But after she underwent a series of blood tests, CT and MRI scans, as well as a liver biopsy, Sophie was diagnosed with metastatic lower GI adenocarcinoma cancer in her bowel.
IT’S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest – yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough.
While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease.
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver.
If you notice any of the signs, don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
Pain or a lump in your tummy
Extreme tiredness
Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs include:
Gripping pains in the abdomen
Feeling bloated
Constipation and being unable to pass wind
Being sick
Feeling like you need to strain – like doing a number two – but after you’ve been to the loo
While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools.
But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
What is adenocarcinoma?
Your type of cancer depends on what type of cell it starts in.
Adenocarcinomas start in the gland cells in the lining of the bowel wall, which normally produce mucus, a slimy substance that makes it easier for the poo to pass through the bowel.
Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of bowel cancer.
The cancer has since spread to her liver and spine – with doctors giving the mum six months to live.
Even with treatment, they estimated that she wouldn’t live past 18 months.
Now, she’s receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, which has worsened her symptoms, including ulcers and numbness in the feet.
While these aim to extend her life expectancy, the mum has discovered a form of treatment in Germany which claims to shrink the tumours through delivering chemotherapy directly into the liver rather than the entire body, until they disappear completely.
But it comes as an eye-watering £3,300 cost per pop, with an estimated 10 sessions needed to achieve these results.
Now, she and her fiancé, Lewis, 35, along with her daughter, are fundraising for this – raising £23,000 out of the £30,000 total so far.
Even if I can’t get rid of it, I hope I can live
Sophie Louise Wright
Currently, she’s making the most of the time she has left and hopes to warn others with her story.
The mum added: “My little girl has been amazing.
“She helps me get dressed, takes me to the toilet, puts my shoes on.
“Lewis, who is also struggling, has kept the house afloat.
“He still puts me first each day and I honestly believe without him, I wouldn’t be here.
“I hope that my future is positive and I can fight this.
“Even if I can’t get rid of it, I hope I can live.”
The mum had this piece of advice for others: “Don’t take anything for granted and live your life how you want, as you never know what might happen.
“No one my age should be fighting cancer and worrying about when our time will be up.
“Just keep fighting, especially for those who love you.”
Jam PressSophie pictured in hospital[/caption]
Jam PressThe mum at first thought her symptoms were all in her head when after test came back negative[/caption]
Jam PressWith gruelling treatment she’s been given 18 months to live[/caption]
Jam PressThe couple are fundraising for treatment in Germany to buy Sophie precious time with her almost four-year-old daughter[/caption]