MUM'S AGONY
Mum, 34, given 6 months to live after doctors dismissed her ‘heartburn’ shares her devastating biggest fear
The mum-of-one was confused when all tests came back clear
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.
Sophie Louise Wright couldn’t keep anything down other than bread and suffered intense pain under her ribs.
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But when tests came back negative and doctors told her she might have acid reflux, the mum-of-one thought it was all in her head.
As she gradually became sicker - rapidly losing weight, having to call off work and struggling to take care of her daughter - the oncology secretary, from Torquay, Devon insisted on having more tests.
The 34-year-old has since been given six months to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Even with treatment, doctors estimate she won't live past 18 months.
Read more on cancer
The mum is terrified her daughter will forget her and is hoping to raise money for treatment to give her more time with her little one.
“When my daughter is mentioned or I think about the time I have left with her, I cannot contain my emotions,” Sophie told
“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.
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“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.”
Sun Health Explainer: What is cancer?
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 surgery to remove polyps – tissue growth – from her bowel in May last year after experiencing bleeding from her bottom.
Up until her cancer diagnosis in October, 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.
Bowel cancer symptoms
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.
Sophie is 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 until they disappear completely, through delivering chemotherapy directly into the liver rather than the entire body.
But it comes at an eye-watering £3,300 per pop, with an estimated 10 sessions needed to achieve these results.
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Now, she and her fiancé, Lewis, 35, along with her daughter, are 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.
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“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.”
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