Isobel's Story

In January 2020 Isobel (Izzy) was a vibrant and happy 12 year old who suddenly struggled to walk. After 2 weeks in hospital the doctors broke the shocking news that she had a synovial sarcoma (which only affects one in a million people) in her groin. Izzy underwent rounds of chemotherapy and a radical amputation of her entire right leg during the pandemic.

Having been completed her chemotherapy from February 2020 to June 2020 at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, as well as the amputation at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London, we were told that Isobel was NED – No Evidence Detected – for cancer and it stayed that way for two-and-a-half years, until October 15 last year.
“Izzy and I went to West Suffolk College in the morning where she was looking at business courses, she went to her friends in the afternoon, had roast dinner at their house and was looking at the stars around their garden fire pit that evening when she felt something was wrong and called us."

We picked her up and rushed her to West Suffolk Hospital. After doctors checked her over, including asking her to smile, they confirmed she had left-hand side paralysis.

“It became obvious that something was very much up, though Izzy was very matter of fact about it all being moved from room to room.”

Isobel’s parents were finally told in a small private room that doctors had found a large brain tumour, which was operated on a few days later, two smaller ones at the back of her brain, one in her lung, one on her kidney and one on her adrenal gland.

Sam added: “Afterwards I was talking to the doctor outside the curtain of A&E and Isobel heard and just said ‘Right, so I have a brain tumour then’, that was the way she took it all in – her humour was dark but that was just so Izzy.”

Tragically the cancer had returned, this time it has metastasized and was present in her brain, lungs, kidney and adrenal gland. Izzy had a short illness and passed away on 14th December 2022.

Izzy truly was the kindest, funniest, sassiest and most amazing young woman with a heart of gold who is missed by her family and friends every single day.