Sophie

My name is Hollie, I’m not even quite sure where to start here…my best friend Amy and her younger sister Sophie both found out they were pregnant four weeks apart… I mean how amazing would that be, not only are they sisters they are the best of friends. What should be the most amazing time for them and all their family turned into absolute devastation.

Sophie’s partner Calan self presented to Warwick A&E on Monday 29th May, the day after his 34th birthday, with chest pains, breathlessness and heart palpitations. After firstly being told it was Pluracy and pneumonia and spending 4 weeks on Mary ward at Warwick hospital, with various test and procedures Calan was transferred to Nottingham hospital with suspected germ cell cancer. He was told by the specialist that it was treatable and that chemo would commence. However, this was then put on hold whilst further tests were done. Calan was then told that they could not find the source of the cancer (cancer of unknown primary source-CUP) and that the cancer was advanced.

Chemo started the very next day which consisted of 4 aggressive types to try and target it. 3 days in he had to have an emergency stent fitted and on the 5th day his heart rate was over 250 bpm.

Calan and his family were told that he wouldn’t make the night but in true warrior style he fought through it. To then be told he couldn’t continue with the treatment as his heart couldn’t take anymore and his wish was to spend his final days at Myton hospice with friends and family.

Cal kept us all on our toes, he seemed to become stronger during his time at Myton and made some lovely memories.

Always thinking of Sophie, he made her his fiancée and they found out that they were expecting a little girl (they had decided to keep it as a surprise but due to the circumstances they found out).

Unfortunately the cancer reminded us how aggressive it was and Calan lost his battle surrounded by Sophie and his family on Saturday 19th August.

During this whole time Sophie has been by Calan’s side. Sophie has her own dog grooming business based from their home which Calan helped her set up a year ago. She started with reducing her hours so she could make the visiting times at Warwick and then travel to Nottingham to see Calan, however once he was in the hospice she had to stop working to understandably spend as much time as she could with him and rely on her employee to continue with the dog grooming.

Sophie is now facing a very different future, she is expecting their baby in November 2023 but may not be able to stay in the home that her and Calan made their own due to Calan not having any life insurance and Sophie not being able to get a mortgage. It’s not only their home but where Sophie’s dog grooming business is based and therefore she faces the prospect of completely losing this aswell. Being self employed, Calan would have supported Sophie through her maternity leave, yet another worry and stress that Sophie now has to consider.

We can’t fix this horrendously sad situation and most of us feel very helpless right now, but if we can try and help take any of Sophie’s worries and stresses away by raising a pot of money to help financially support her and her upcoming new arrival then I feel that it’s the least we can do.

This has just completely broke my heart and feeling helpless, seeing my best friend, her gorgeous sister and family go through this whilst both being pregnant! This should be the happiest time of their lives and now their whole world has been shattered by this cruel disease!

Life is precious and tomorrow isn’t promised. Hug your loved ones a little tighter and make the most of every single day ❤️