[ad_1]
An Auckland mother whose eldest daughter died in a tragic driveway accident has learned that her rare and aggressive cancer is incurable.
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.
Just prior to the second Covid-19 lockdown in Auckland in August 2020, the 45-year-old said she began to feel unwell, experiencing severe stomach pains and bloating.
Busy with her 5-year-old daughter Agustina, Perera put her pains aside and went on with her life. When the pain didn’t go away, she sought medical attention and later discovered she had cancer.
READ MORE:
* Auckland mother whose daughter died in a tragic accident diagnosed with a rare cancer.
* Auckland mother: ‘People who say time heals have not lost a child’
On December 15, 2020, Perera underwent surgery at Auckland City Hospital in an attempt to remove the tumor.
Complications caused him to stay in the hospital for Christmas and New Years, and he was only well enough to return home in the second week of January.
Supplied
Sophia Perera was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2020, and months later learned that it was follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, a cancer that forms in soft tissues.
But by mid-February, the aggressive cancer had returned and she was told it was follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, a cancer that forms in soft tissues.
“Only about 500 people have been officially diagnosed in the world,” Perera said.
Perera started chemotherapy the week after she learned what cancer was, but it didn’t work out.
She will start another round next week and is staying positive and hoping to better respond to it.
But chemotherapy will not cure cancer, it will only prolong your life, Perera said.
Supplied
Sophia Perera, with her husband Cam Warren and daughter Augustina celebrating her fifth birthday.
“That’s all I hope for right now,” Perera said.
“I just want more time because if chemotherapy doesn’t work, then I have very, very limited time. But if it works, I guess we wait six to 12 months. “
Perera said he wanted to fight as hard as possible to spend as much time as possible with Agustina.
She was grateful to have seen her start elementary school this year, a milestone her daughter Valentina never reached.
But it was a “mixed blessing” because even though Augustina had a ton of energy, Perera hadn’t been able to keep up with her.
He struggled even to swallow and was unable to enjoy the food.
SUPPLIED / Supplied
Sophia Perera says she will use the time she has left to create memories with her daughter Augustina.
“I can’t even have the simple pleasure of enjoying good food.
“We have been wrapped up in food every day, beautiful food from our community, and I can’t even enjoy it. I’ve been living off bone broth, soup, and soft foods just to sustain myself, but it would be nice to have a meal again one day. “
Perera said the benefit of having the next round of chemotherapy was giving her a better quality of life.
“So in the last few days I have left, I can enjoy and do activities with Augustina, I can do some things on the wish list, like visit Abel Tasman, do something special with my daughter and create some memories.”
Perera reiterated the importance of women listening to their bodies and seeking medical attention if something does not seem right to them.
“We need to listen to our instincts more,” Perera said.
“Especially when it is not a standard cancer, such as bowel or breast cancer. You have an evaluation, people can get it. “
With something so weird, Perera said there were no obvious signs other than her body that told her something was wrong.
“The most important thing is, if you feel like something is wrong, even if the first opinion says nothing is wrong, get a second opinion.
“Listen to your own body because you know your own body best.”
Perera said she also wanted to thank her husband Cam Warren, who had been with her on every hospital visit and chemotherapy appointment.
A friend of Perera has created a Givealittle page to help raise funds for her family as she progresses on her journey.
