In 2016, one-year-old Sophie Skiles was diagnosed with lymphoma. Her mother was always by her side, and it was during this time she grew to love and appreciate the medical staff attending to her daughter. The nurses at the hospital she was being treated were so kind and compassionate that she just had to write about it to thank them. Sadly, in 2018, little Sophie passed away due to her cancer. This tribute to the nurses who cared for her is still important to share because they truly are underappreciated.
Little Sophie
When Sophie was born in March 2015, neither of her parents expected the tragic journey they were about to embark on. Sophie was diagnosed with Lymphoma when she was only one year old. This was difficult to comprehend, and Shelby couldn’t let her daughter go through it alone. So, she spent almost every night in her daughter’s room at the hospital.
One night, one of her favorite nurses came quietly into the room. Shelby only noticed her because she was struggling to sleep. But, instead of saying anything, she watched her in silence. The nurse was simply checking on Sophie, which is technically expected of her as a nurse. But Shelby was amazed at the gentle gestures of the nurse. It inspired her to get writing, and this is where her tribute came from.
Dear nurses
Shelby Skiles, who was 28 years old at the time, is the mother to little Sophie. The nurses at the hospital she was being treated were so kind and caring in ways far beyond what is expected of them professionally. Skiles felt the urge to pay tribute to them in a letter of thanks. The post has since been shared 42000 times and gained a lot of interaction in the comments section. Skiles thanked the nurses for always being so gentle with her daughter, highlighting the soft gestures. Her post read as follows:
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 arm loads 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.
Sophie sadly passed away.
The treatments for Sophie’s lymphoma were arduous. They took a big toll on her tiny body, which was extremely difficult for her mother to watch. Sophie went through 16 rounds of chemo treatments, and then she was ready for a stem cell transplant surgery. This had the potential to save her life.
Alas, Sophie’s health took a turn for the worse. The chemo treatments were not working, and the cancer finally started taking its toll, and her little body just could not hold out anymore. She passed away on the 4th of January, 2018. She was surrounded by all who loved her, and her memory lives on within them.
Keep Reading: Bereaved Mom Devastated by New Baby Son’s Cancer
Sources
- “2-year-old Sophie Skiles dies after hard-fought battle with cancer.” KLTV. Gary Bass. January 6, 2018.
- “Woman writes touching tribute to nurses caring for 2-year-old daughter with cancer.” ABC. Katie Kindelan. October 17, 2017,
- “Sophie The Brave.” Facebook. October 3, 2017.
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