Story
Sophie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Anal Cancer in July 2018 and is now managing the devastating news that her cancer has spread to Stage 4 secondary cancer/ UK Pioneer of Anal Cancer ORAM Flap Surgery, Sophie has undergone countless procedures since 2019, had numerous stomach surgeries, perforated bowel, permanent stoma, anal cavity removal and lung resection. Sophie is now facing more gruelling chemotherapy, a severe allergic reaction to treatment AND Covid but this hasn't stopped her from coming up with ideas and plans to raise awareness and raise funds for her appeal 'Yeah But No Butt'! A true cancer warrior and an inspiration to us all with her courage and determination, Sophie recently shared - ''I am positive and i am going to kick it's arse! Life changes with the click of the fingers. I live with cancer, because you CAN live with cancer. I need to get my story out, now is the time, i really really want to help other people who are on their own cancer journey''. Sophie is calling on her fantastic team of friends and supporters #TEAM SOPH to come together and show their support by sharing her story, donating to her appeal and fundraising on her behalf. Sophie hopes her appeal will encourage people to face up to any embarrassing bowel issues and seek help as well as raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK. Sophie said: “If I can reach one person and help them recognise the symptoms of anal cancer then that’s what I want to do. It’s a rare cancer and more research is needed to get better treatments and outcomes. But I’m a positive person and I’m still here, even though the odds have been against me from the moment I was diagnosed. I want to show people that you can live with cancer.” THANKYOU for all your kind donations it's incredible!! I am over the moon. You are all totally amazing. Your support & love is what keeps me going. I couldn't go any of this without you. xxxxxxxxxxx Update - 04/09/23 I can't thank you all enough for your amazing support and love through my advanced anal/bowel cancer journey. I really couldn’t get through without you all 5 years is a tough road. We are now on £12,000 (including gift aid) This began in January when I first did #shaveitlikesoph phenomenal what we can achieve together. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would be my life. This is my 5th year. I’m a wee bit tired. But never give up hope !! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your extremely generous donations for such a major cause. BOOM 💥💥💥 and it’s still going xx #teamsoph #sophsangels #yeahbutnobutt Update - 20/10/24 Well I’m still here which is just incredible. I think it’s sheer determination. I am exhausted - a collaboration of 6 years of aggressive treatment & life saving surgeries plus numerous emergency surgeries, every treatment you could have. I have cro ( a bug uncurable and resistant to antibiotics, edr ( extreme resistance to drugs) permanent ecoli where I now take antibiotics forever, low blood pressure and major cancer fatigue. I can do even less than before no matter how much my head desires to do. Even getting dressed & showering, moving, walking exhausts me more. And yet I shall still not give up. I am going nowhere. I am sooooo grateful I was able to get to Portugal with some of my nearest and dearest. I am sooooo grateful for the birth of #sophsangels & #yeahbutnobutt and especially to my incredible mum Jan Hamilton for being the creative behind the angels at 82 ! and for all you do for me with your buckets of love & support. I’m finding it hard these days to keep you in the loop as it’s getting close to the bone and it scares me. My last scan results came back mixed. Good & bad. Some lymph nodes have shrunk but some have grown ! to do with blood flow. But I’m again soooooo lucky that the pharma company with the immuno case study I’m on has granted me another 3 months treatment then scan again at the end of that. Mentally I feel like I’ve been dragged through the Amazon and the fear is really disabling. I think of you all. How special you all are to me. All the great times we’ve had together. Make the most of your precious lives. Do all you can while you can and if you can keep the angels going for me I’d be very grateful. #teamsoph #sophsangels #yeahbutnobutt #analcancerawareness Cancer is so cruel. I have seen things and experienced things you wouldn’t want your worst enemy to see or go through but I still live with hope. As always I send my love to you all Soph xxxx Cancer is happening right now, which is why we're fundraising right now for Cancer Research UK. Donate today and help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. Donating through these pages is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with Cancer Research UK. Your donations are for Bowel Cancer - Over the past 40 years there's been dramatic progress in tackling bowel cancer and almost 6 in 10 people diagnosed will now survive for 10 years or more. But with bowel cancer still claiming around 44 lives each day, more research still needs to be done. Help Cancer Research UK find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.