Saving Sophie from Sarcoma- our Journey Last month in March, all our lives were completely changed, we were told the dreaded words that our granddaughter,Sophie, age 5, has cancer. Sophie was a very energetic girl that was never sick and was always laughing... How could this happen? She had started complaining that her buttock was sore randomly but there wasn’t much thought into it because 5 year olds typically are agile and bumps and bruises are expected. One morning when Sophie complained again to her mother, she noticed that Sophie had a a lump under her skin in her buttock. She took her into the pediatrician who assumed that she probably hurt herself or pulled a muscle or something. On the error of caution, they were sent to Emmanuel Children’s hospital for an ultrasound and were immediately sent for an mri with contrast. After a transfer to OHSU and 2 biopsies, Cancer was confirmed. NRSTS, or “Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas. They include an assorted group of tumors accounting for 7% of all childhood malignancies and around 50% of all sarcomas in children. With contemporary treatment, more than 70% of children and adolescents with surgically resected non-metastatic disease are expected to be cured. In contrast, fewer than 10% of patients with metastatic disease are expected to become long-term survivors”. That being said, it was confirmed that Sophie’s Sarcoma, is in fact, spreading and she has 3 nodules in her lungs. The parents met with the oncologist from Doernbecher’s and Sophie began chemo last night. For the next few weeks, chemo will be once a month. And every 3 weeks will be overnight for three nights. After a month of chemo, daily radiation will be added to the treatments. If the chemo works they will continue to a point that they may be able to go in and remove the tumor from her buttock (we are estimating week 13). The nodules in the lung will be monitored, and the hope is that chemo will take care of them. But most likely we will need a 2nd set of chemo after we take care of the buttock. And then we can see how comfortable the surgeon feels about being able to reach them. She has a long journey ahead of her. Treatments will include chemotherapy, radiation and possibly surgery. Sophie and her parents remain positive! They’re finding the strength to fight this cancer! Her treatments will be challenging for her family both physically and financially. Her family will need to be by her side to see her through this struggle. As mom’s income drastically will go down, they will face losing their home they just purchased and bills will go unpaid. As much as Rob and Amanda’s pride want to keep this their struggle, it is financially difficult to manage. They already have been blessed and are extremely grateful for the support received these past weeks, however the struggles are becoming overwhelming and will be larger than anticipated. Rob, Amanda, the older sibling, Riley, and Sophie will need continued support from their family, friends and community.
On behalf of Sophie and the family, thank you from our hearts!
We are grateful and very blessed. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!
