On March 1, also the Jewish holiday of Purim, we received the devastating news that Sophie’s cancer had returned. After routine scans the day prior, our doctor informed us that they believed Sophie’s PPB tumor had begun to grow back. Given the severity of this news, Sophie immediately went into surgery last Monday, March 5th, where her surgeon performed another open-lung biopsy to confirm malignancy and insert a new mediport to be used for future treatment.
After numerous discussions with different doctors, we are beginning a new course of chemotherapy treatment this upcoming week at Sloan. This treatment will be more rigorous than the previous ones, and will require us to remain mostly in the hospital over the course of the next week.
We will follow up with additional updates as we have them, and implore everyone to please keep Sophie (Shalva Gavriella Bat Shani Aliza) in your thoughts and prayers, and ask your networks, families and friends to please do the same.
Please note, we have updated the Platelet and Blood Donation page as we’ll be asking for these donations to help Sophie through her treatment. Please submit the form if you are able to help out.
So sorry to read this news. Thoughts and prayers for Sophie. Thinking of her and all your family during this difficult time.
Little Sophie is always in my prayers. Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting her I feel as though she is one of my great grandchildren. My heart and soul go out to you Jenny and David as well as all the Spangenthal family. Sending love and light. Tova Gelper
I continue to say misheberachs for Shalva Gavriella bas Shani Aliza, and Larry and I also continue to pray for Hashem’s blessings for her refuah shleima. Much love to Sophie and all of your family! Sara Malka and Larry
I am so very sorry to hear this news. Thinking of you and davening for Sophie. Sending love and strength.
We are so so sorry to hear this devastating news. We will continue to daven for Sophie. Thinking about all of you guys.
~ Furleiters
Support, love, prayers.
We are so sorry to hear this news. We’ve kept Sophie in our prayers and will continue to think of you guys.
Our hearts go out to you; we will continue praying for a complete refuah. May Hashem give you strength and hope in abundance!
Our hearts go out to you; we will continue praying for a complete refuah. May Hashem give you strength and hope in abundance!
We are thinking of you and davening for Sophie everyday. Will make a trip to the kotel to daven for her this week.
Praying for Sophie, for all of you. And sending you all love and strength.
Never wanted to hear this shoe drop. Have been holding my breath. Devastated for all of you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Absolutely heartbroken. Thinking good thoughts and praying for Sophie!!
What devastating news after such a positive few months. We are praying for you here in Cape Town. Love from Rita and Raymond Effune.
David in all the years I knew you growing up I never imagined such a trial of love and faith for you as a father. My heart is hurting so much for you all, and I am sending your beautiful daughter and all your family every ounce of love in me. I beg the Almighty for the best outcome.
Prayers for Sophie for a full recovery.
Was so sad to read this. Sophie is in our thoughts and prayers every day.
Heartbreaking news Cheryl. Praying for Sophie to receive complete healing. Bert & Trudy
Heartbroken by this devastating setback and pray for Sophie’s for a full recovery. David and Jenny my thoughts and prayers are with you always.
David and Jennifer…I am so very sorry to hear this terrible news. I will continue to pray for your sweet girl and your family. May G-d watch over all of you and give you the strength you will need.
Sending love and strength. We continue to have Sophie in our thoughts and prayers. Sarah & Josh Goldstein
Praying for Sophie—May she have a Refuah sheleimah.
Thinking of sweet Sophie. May she be flooded with strength and love during this difficult time .
Keeping Shalva Gabriela, parents and family in our thoughts and prayers.
Praying for Sophie☝
A.Ybarra-Odessa Texas
praying for a refuah – had such high hopes when we finally met in miami – she’s a strong little girl with amazing parents who will support her knowing that there is a world of support holding them up – still offering anything you need that we can give. all our love – Robyn & Anny
So sorry to hear the news. She will definitely be in my prayers. May Hashem give you strength and courage.
Davening for all of you.
Thinking and Praying hard for sweet Sophie. May HASHEM bring a speedy recovery in the nearest future for Sophie. Sending strength and love in this incredibly difficult time. You are never alone.
Davening for precious Sophie and family, amain.
The news is devastating and we are sorry for the pain you are experiencing. Our prayers are with you and we are here if there is anything we can do.
We will schedule an appointment at Sloan to donate.
Although we’ve never met, i always include Sophie in my tehillim and davening. May she soon see a refuah shleimah.
Although we’ve never met, i always include Sophie in my tehillim and davening. May she soon see a refuah shleimah. Our thoughts are with you with this devastating news
So sad to hear this news.. I can donate blood or platelets. If you need them…
Dayenu! Enough!
May we see the final miracle of good health and peace for your precious family!
Think good and it will be good….sending healing prayers your way. Love Lisa and Fred
Only just found out about the recurrence of this horrible illness. We are so sorry to hear this news, BH Sophie’s cheerful nature will help her deal with her treatment with minimal discomfort, and we pray that she will be blessed with a Refuah Shlema. Sending love and good thoughts.
My heart goes out to Sophie and your family. Prayers of healing will continue. With love, Debbi
My heart goes out to Sophie and your family. Prayers of healing will continue. With love, Debbi
So sorry! Positive thoughts and prayers for Sophie!!!! Xo! Debbie
I never stopped praying for her. Sophie’s expression in this photo is intoxicating. Just stay strong, everything will be ok.
Dear Ones, every day is new – sometimes so sunny, sometimes so bleak..we can only open our hearts to receive the love that is out there for us, all the while carried in Hashem’s huge arms. We try to keep breathing, one breath at a time. staying in the moment, just enough to handle.
May the doctors be Hashem’s shlichim to return beautiful, brave Shalva Gavriella to her HEALTHIEST self. Dear Jenny and David, dear Chaya Bracha, dear Grandparents and loving family, may Hashem help you put one foot in front of the other and walk this walk together to the BEST outcome possible – to restored simcha and gratitude for a Great and long LIFE with your beloved Sophie.
Sending Love and Tefilot from Yerushalayim. Rita-Rivka and Abe.
Sending our love- our thoughts and prayers are with you.
xoxo
Refuah shelaymah, Sophie. You are strong! We are all praying for you!
To a most amazing couple and a special little girl who I look forward to meeting. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing Sophie a Refuah Shlemah.
Love and prayers for you all Dave. Believing healing is possible! Outside of blood donation and of course steadfast prayer if there is anything else we can do to support you guys we are here. XX
So sorry to hear of Sophies setback. We wish and pray that everything goes well from this time on. May Hashem grant the family strength . With much love Errol and Rae Goodman in Cape Town
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Refuah shelaima b’karov to your daughter.
I came across an article about Haelan 951 in Community Magazine published by the Sephardi community in Brooklyn. Perhaps you want to look into it. You can find information on line about it. It claims to help with the harsh side effects of chemo or radiation and increase effectiveness of treatment.
Dear David, Jenny and families. We have not met you all, but we send you our love and support, our strength and our hope. We pray for a full and complete recovery for dear Sophie. Lots of love Janine, David, Zach and Jesse Lees
Sending thoughts and prayers for Sophie and her family.
Janice and Dave Cantor