Terminally ill mum, 21, has written son birthday cards to last until he's 18
A courageous young mum diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour has vowed to fight it every step of the way.
Sophie White, aged just 21, was shell-shocked to be told she has less than two years to live. The single mum is now "hoping for a miracle" and looking to make memories with her 14-month-old son, Remi-James.
She was perfectly fit and healthy until June 8 this year, when she went out for food and suffered a mild seizure during her meal. She was later referred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and, following tests, was diagnosed with a Grade 4 glioblastoma.
Sophie, from Rotherham, said: "The seizure didn't last long, and I was fully conscious. My hands and face were twitching, and I couldn't speak. It was scary but at the same time, I was in denial. I just didn't want to be ill."
Sophie was referred to the Royal Hallamshire Hospital (Focus Features)
She was perfectly fit and healthy until June 8 this year (Focus Features)Referring to her diagnosis, she continued: "Nothing could have prepared me for that. I couldn't take in that I had a brain tumour - I hadn't even had a headache. I was young, fit and healthy, but I was told the tumour was malignant and I'd have between 12-18 months left to live. It was devastating. All I could think of was Remi, growing up without his mummy.
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"I'd had no symptoms at all, maybe a few mood swings, which I just put down to hormones, but nothing else. The thought of not being around to see my son grow up is heartbreaking but I have to stay positive. I'm putting all my energy into fighting this tumour with everything I've got."
Sophie had surgery later that month where 95 percent of the tumour was removed. She will begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy at the end of July, but has been warned there is no cure. However, there is treatment which could help to prolong her life.
Sophie is looking to make memories with her young son (Focus Features)
She has written cards and notes for him to open in the future (Focus Features)She said: "I was very depressed after the brain surgery, but I realised I had to pull myself together, for the sake of my little boy. He needs me and he needs me to make memories for him."
Sophie's friends and family have rallied together to help Sophie create memories with her little boy. Her step-sister, Laura, is planning an event at the end of July, and her best pal, Chloe, has launched an online 'adventure fund'. Her sister, Beth, friend Leah, and Remi's godmother, Leana, are all involved too.
She has moved in with her mum and step-dad, Greg. Her father, Mick, and grandfather, Terry, are also supportive. Sophie said: "I want to spend as much time as I can with Remi but I can't be on my own with him, in case I have another seizure, so it's frustrating.
Sophie and her mum, Helen, in hospital (Focus Features)"I feel guilty that I can't be the mum I want to be. I just have to focus on doing what I can. We have already had days out to a wildlife park and we're planning a family holiday to Tenerife after my chemo finishes. I might even squeeze in a girls' holiday too - my first ever! I want to pack in as many memories as I can. Remi is such a happy, friendly little boy.
"He loves cars and he likes Thomas The Tank Engine. It is some comfort to me that he is too little to understand what is happening to me, but at the same time, I worry he won't remember me. I've written cards and notes for him into the future. I'm hoping for a miracle, and that I will be around to watch him open each one."
You can donate to the fundraiser for Sophie and Remi here.
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