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Andrew and Ruth Roberts with James and Sophie. Picture: Curious World Photography
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Parents look to future as toddler gets cancer all-clear

By Stephen Lloyd
February 08, 2013

A CHURCH Crookham family is looking forward to a ‘normal’ life after learning their two-year-old daughter’s lungs and liver are clear of cancer.

Sophie Roberts was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer in June 2011 and parents Andrew and Ruth Roberts were told she had only a 30% chance of survival.

But after 18 months of treatment comprising 18 rounds of chemotherapy and three major operations, it has been decided that Sophie will now just be monitored.

The brave toddler had a CT scan last month to check there was no evidence of disease and her parents said that thankfully both her lungs and liver are still clear. They then met with Sophie’s oncologist to talk through the next steps for Sophie’s rehabilitation.

“Relapsed hepatoblastoma in the lungs is incredibly rare so there is no fixed treatment plan, which makes decisions incredibly tough,” said Ruth.

“Our oncologist advised us that they are unsure of the ongoing benefit of continuing the chemo but the risk of carrying on is that she could develop a serious infection.

“So taking this into consideration, along with the fact there is no evidence of disease and a low tumour marker, they feel it’s time to stop and monitor her closely, and we agree.”

The family has been told Sophie has an incredibly high chance of relapse, at between 70% and 80%, but said they will have to try to push that thought to the back of their minds.

“Our little lady has made it this far against all odds and we can’t wait to watch her flourish as life becomes more ‘normal’ for her again,” added Ruth.

“Waiting for test results is going to be incredibly hard and life will never be the same as it was before cancer invaded it, but Sophie’s still here so we’ll make the most of it.

“We can’t wait to plan some special days out and maybe even a holiday.”

Doctors said the only chance of Sophie surviving was for her to have ground-breaking surgery at New York’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre. The Roberts helped raise £350,000 to fund the treatment and Sophie had two operations last August.

The couple even re-mortgaged their home on the Zebon Copse estate to help reach the fundraising target, which was boosted by a charity single, Shout It From The Rooftops.

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