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Sorrelle & Sam

August 2015 – present

 

Sorrelle was diagnosed with Leukaemia when she was 10 months old. Her grandad Sam shares what it was like being on the oncology ward at RMCH.

Sam has written a book from the messages he sent to family and friends throughout Sorrelle’s treatment.

small boat in a big ocean is dedicated to all the staff of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant wards and all fellow “ward family”

90% of the book royalties are donated to MFT Charity with the remaining 10% saved to fund any future treatment Sorrelle will need.

To find out more click here: small boat in a big ocean​

“What would my advice be to any grandparent finding themselves in the same situation…. Firstly, and said with a true heartfelt meaning…. I am truly sorry if you are currently on this journey.

My advice, what would I do differently?

Well, they say the measure of us is not what impostors arrive but rather how we deal with them…. My advice…. It sounds simple, and during this chaos it can feel like the most impossible thing………… Just be grandpa! That’s all Sorrelle needed, just be dad! That’s all Gemma needed. And here’s the thing…. I’d been doing that for years, I had the experience of that. The skill is recognising you cannot change a thing, be yourself, be the grandparent and parent, do what you have always done. Recognise unless you are Professor Wynn… you cannot cure cancer!! And…. No one expects you to! Your child needs a hug, the reassurance you’ve given them for years, not to cure everything but to be there and support through it all. Your grandchild needs a hug, don’t be afraid, I wasn’t going to break Sorrelle, cancer was doing a good enough job of that! So come on grandpa… get in there, hug that beautiful little girl, your sidekick, your soon to be comedy partner. And here’s the strangest thing of all…. Something you never think will happen at the point of diagnosis and admission…. You really do find laughter on a children’s oncology ward…. why you ask…. because they are still children, they still play, they still laugh. Of course, they are poorly and of course there are some big things to deal with but again…. you cannot change that, all you can do is remember I AM GRANDPA!”

Network Involvement & Future Work

Sam hopes his family’s story will bring comfort and support to other families experiencing childhood cancer. The book has already raised £1,005.28 for the hospital and counting!

How can you get involved?

We are always wanting to hear from you, so if you are interested in getting involved, or speaking to us about your experience please do contact us via info.nwccodn@mft.nhs.uk

By sharing your experience, suggestions, and thoughts, you can help to influence and shape the service. It will also benefit many other children, young people, and families in the future across the region.