A Dundee woman who has been told she has six months to live at the age of 30 says she “wants to be smiling until the end”.
Sophy Mitchell was given the devastating news this week – after being told her cervical cancer has spread to her bones.
Sophy – a learning and digital resources specialist with Dundee and Angus College – is now planning to live life with husband Kevin to the full.
And she is urging others to do the same.
‘Life is short so make the most of it’
She told The Courier: “I have so much to live for – I have an amazing life.
“My life is fantastic – great job, husband, friends, family and social life.
“I also love my work, as everyone knows. I’ve had messages from staff all over the college and I’ve loved them – they always brings a smile to my face.
“I love my job and the students, and my goal is to make one final graduation this year to see them all.
“Life is short, so make the most of it. Over the years I’ve moaned over such silly things like a burst tyre or being too fat but trust me, I’d never care again.
“Live life care-free, do what you enjoy and don’t argue with loved ones over stupid things – in the end, none of it matters.”
Sophy was diagnosed with cervical cancer on April 29 – only a couple weeks after she returned from a holiday in Benidorm with Kevin, mum Sandra Shand and best friend Stephanie Henderson.
Then came the news that her cancer is terminal.
‘One minute I’m drinking sangria, the next I’m diagnosed with cancer’
The former Morgan Academy pupil, from the Hilltown, is having radiotherapy in an effort to prolong her life.
“The last few weeks have been a whirlwind to say the least,” she said.
“One minute I’m drinking sangria in Benidorm and the next minute I’m diagnosed with cancer.
“Then I’m in the hospital and having tests, scans, biopsies, sickness, sore tummy, sore back, blood transfusions, horrendous leg pain.”
Sophy’s problems began in December when her period bleeding lasted for a month.
Then in January she was taken to A&E doubled over in pain, and told she had a bladder infection.
But she kept bleeding and nothing she tried worked.
In March she was put on the contraceptive pill. However, Sophy says she did not want that to be a long-term solution – with plans to start a family.
She said: “I pretty much begged for an appointment with the gynaecologist but the smear I asked for came back negative the same month.”
Delays to medical appointments
She says she was still convinced something was not right but appointments with a gynaecologist kept getting pushed back.
Sophy then had a hospital appointment on 10am the day she arrived back from Benidorm, when a lump was found.
She said: “Things very quickly went from bad, to worse, to living a nightmare.
“I got leg pain which they said was just a trapped nerve.
“However, biopsy results on April 29 showed cancer.
“This was no surprise to me as I had every cervical cancer symptom.”
Sophy was admitted to Ninewells on May 9 and on May 13 she was told the cancer had spread.
Scans showed there was cancer in her bones with her left leg the worst affected.
Then on May 17, with Kevin and other family members at her side, Sophy was given the news she only has months left.
She said: “I’ve got so much anger. I’m hurt and upset but nothing will now save my life.
“Covid is getting the blame for everything but for how long? Why are doctors getting to work from home when people are needing appointments?
‘Speak up when something isn’t right’
“Hospital appointments were pushed back too.
“I lost so many appointments and kept getting told I had other things wrong with me.
“But I knew something was seriously wrong. Other young girls must speak up when they know something isn’t right.”
However, Sophy is now determined to see out her final months with the positivity everyone knows her for – as well as raising awareness of the disease.
She said: “I’ve had the best 30 years on this planet – it’s time to enjoy the time I have left.
“I want to be smiling until the end – laughing and being Sophy. I am not going down too easily.
“I’ve had gifts, cards and flowers which is so lovely, but I’ve been really tired some days and some days very sick – so for now it’s each day at a time, making some more memories and still smiling.”
Conversation