Sophie Skiles is an adorable toddler and daughter of Shelby and Jonathan. Her parents first thought she was suffering from allergies — but now, she’s fighting for her life.
After a doctor assumed little Sophie was suffering from allergies, she was later diagnosed with asthma. Jonathan and Shelby weren’t too concerned at first; they scheduled her for allergy testing then left the doctor’s office. A couple of nights later, Sophie stopped breathing.
At just two-years-old, Sophie was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance as her parents followed close behind. When they were finally able to talk to a doctor — they received devastating and heartbreaking news.
After Sophie was x-rayed at the hospital, they discovered a softball-sized mass in her tiny little chest.
Sophie was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma and began aggressive and intense chemotherapy treatments. Despite the chemo, the cancer still spread throughout her body. The treatment affected the brave toddler’s ability to walk, talk, eat, and use her hands. She’s currently preparing for a stem cell transplant.
Young mom, Shelby, says the days are long and seem to all bleed together at times. She often forgets to take care of herself, but she doesn’t care because she puts her daughter before everything. Shelby created a Facebook page called Sophie the Brave to keep everyone updated on her daughter’s health.
With so much time spent in the hospital, Shelby wrote a Facebook post to honor the incredible pediatric nurses and nurse techs for all that they do. The powerful and touching post has gone viral.
Shelby’s emotional ‘letter’ has been shared over 27,000 times. It reads:
“Dear Peds Nurses,
(And incredible nurse techs!)I see you. I sit on this couch all day long and, I see you. You try so hard to be unnoticed by me and my child. I see your face drop a little when she sees you and cries. You try so many ways to ease her fears and win her over. I see you hesitate to stick her or pull bandaids off. You say ‘No owies’ and ‘I’m sorry’ more times in one day than most people say ‘thank you’.
I see all of those rubber bracelets on your arms and wrapped around your stethoscope, each one for a child that you’ve cared for and loved. I see you carrying armloads of medicine and supplies into one child’s room all while your phone is ringing in your pocket from the room of another. I see you put on gloves and a mask and try not to make too much noise at night. I see you sorting piles of beads so you can give them to your patient to add to their ever-growing milestone necklace. I see you stroke her little bald head and tuck her covers around her tightly. I see you holding the crying mom that got bad news. I see you trying to chart on the computer while holding the baby whose mom can’t-or won’t be at the hospital with her.
You put aside what’s happening in your life for 12 hours straight to care for very sick and something’s dying children. You go into each room with a smile no matter what’s happening in there. You see Sophie’s name on the schedule and come to check on us even when she isn’t your patient. You call the doctor, blood bank, and pharmacy as many times as necessary to get my child what she needs in a timely manner. You check on me as often as you check on her. You sit and listen to me ramble for 10 minutes even though your phone is buzzing and your to-do list is a mile long.
I see you using your phone as a template to paint the perfect cartoon character on the new kid’s window. I see you cheering so enthusiastically for the kid taking laps around the nurses station. I see you with that Nerf gun hiding from the kid around the corner. I see you hold tiny hands, change dirty sheets, translate medical talk for parents, and wipe your eyes coming out of a particularly hard room. I see you put on gloves, masks, and a gown then pause before you hang an IV bag of poison chemo for my kid.
I see you. We all see you. No amount of snack baskets or cards can fully express how appreciated you are. You are Jesus to us every single day. Our children wouldn’t get what they need without you. Moms like me wouldn’t feel sane or heard without you. You save our babies and we couldn’t do this without you.
Love,
A mom that sees all you do and loves you dearly for it.”
If you’d like to contribute to Sophie’s medical funds, you can do so by visiting her GoFundMe page, “Support Sophie.”
Shelby’s incredible post has garnered over 4,200 comments sending love and praise to her, Sophie, and all of the amazing nurses. The full post is below.
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