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An Auckland mother, whose eldest daughter died in a tragic gate accident, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer.
Sophia Perera’s daughter, Valentina Warren, died at the age of 3 on November 21, 2014 after being hit by a car in her family’s driveway.
Now, the 45-year-old from West Auckland’s Te Atatū Peninsula has taken another devastating blow after experiencing severe stomach pains and bloating.
Photograph Deborah Foote / Supplied
Sophia Perera and Cam Warren’s family faces another devastating blow after the death of their eldest daughter in 2014.
Just before Auckland’s second Covid-19 lockdown, Perera said she started to feel bad.
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Busy caring for her family and her second daughter, Augustina Warren, 4, Perera pushed him aside and believed the pain would pass.
A week passed and he began to feel worse. He decided to wait until next week to visit the doctor.
Meanwhile, Auckland entered its August shutdown and had to speak to her doctor over the phone. Blood samples were drawn and her doctor told her to keep a personal appointment.
Perera said she was later told to pack her bags because she had to go to North Shore Hospital because she had appendicitis.
RICKY WILSON / Stuff
Sophia Perera, pictured with her husband Cam Warren, their daughter Augustina and a photograph of their daughter Valentina.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Perera had to go to the hospital alone. They took her for a CT scan where they found a large tumor on her abdomen.
Perera said the experience of having to go to the hospital was traumatic, given that she was alone and her previous history in hospitals when Valentina died. His heart “sank” when he was told he had a tumor and he collapsed.
A biopsy was done to determine what the tumor was and a week and a half later, he learned that it was a high-grade advanced malignant tumor.
Doctors are still not sure of its origin, but it is likely peritoneal cancer, he said.
“It’s so weird that they don’t really know what they’re dealing with, which is the scary part from my perspective. I’ve had three months without knowing much about it. “
Perera has undergone four rounds of chemotherapy since her diagnosis and on Dec. 15 she will undergo a hysterectomy and possibly have part of her intestine removed.
Perera said she was still in shock and stunned by her diagnosis. Every week it felt like she and her husband, Cam Warren, received new information that was always a hit. Only last week did she realize that she was undergoing a hysterectomy, something that was “devastating” for her.
Losing a child was the worst possible trauma anyone could go through, Perera said, and her diagnosis was another trauma her family was having to deal with.
Photograph Deborah Foote / Supplied
Sophia Perera says she wants a few more years on the watch with her daughter Augustina Warren.
“I lost watching my first child grow up and that is the biggest fear for me, not being able to see Augustina grow up.
“Obviously I am afraid, the prognosis is not good. But at the same time, there is a small possibility, and I am trying to be positive and hold on to that opportunity because I have to do it for my daughter. “
Perera said she understood the surgery would not cure her cancer, but doctors hoped it would remove it enough to give her more time.
“All I want is a few more years on the clock with my daughter.”
Despite going through chemotherapy, Perera still marked Valentina’s anniversary on November 21 as they do every year by celebrating Valentina’s Purple Hope Day.
Since 2017, Perera has partnered with Foster Hope to raise money for the charity and honor her daughter’s memory.
This year, they organized a silent auction that raised about $ 5,500 for charity.
Perera said it had been hard work, but it was worth it. It had given him something important to focus on instead of his diagnosis, he said.
REMINDER FOR MOMS
Like many moms do, Perera said she put off going to the doctor because she was busy caring for other people.
“We put our children and our families first and when it comes to our own health, we let it go.
“My gentle reminder would be that if you feel something in your stomach, go check it out. Because I felt inside that this was not normal.
“I left him thinking it would disappear. For me personally, it was already advanced, so it wouldn’t have made much of a difference, but it could make a difference for someone else. “
Perera said she did not know how she would have gotten through the past months without the support of her friends and family. A friend of Perera has created a Givealittle page to help raise money for his family as he goes on his journey.
