"You’re So Much Stronger Than You Think": One Family's Double Battle with Childhood Cancer

"You’re So Much Stronger Than You Think": One Family's Double Battle with Childhood Cancer

Author: Giovanna Fletcher September 8, 2026 Duration: 57:42

This week on Happy Mum, we are joined by strong, inspiring and incredible mother of two Sophie Derry.


When Sophie's daughter Odette started vomiting on car journeys and having headaches, doctors initially put it down to travel sickness. An eye test changed everything, revealing a brain tumour that would lead to emergency surgery and fifteen further operations over seven months. Before the family could catch their breath, Sophie's younger daughter Eliza was diagnosed with leukaemia.


Sophie opens up to Gi about what it's like to face childhood cancer not once but twice -- the fear, the exhaustion, and the moments of hope.


If you’d like to show your support for some of the charities that have been there for Sophie, you can find links to them below:


PASIC 

https://www.pasic.org.uk


When You Wish Upon a Star 

https://www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk


Young Lives v Cancer 

https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk


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Giovanna Fletcher’s Happy Mum Happy Baby picks up the threads of her bestselling book, creating a space where the polished facade of parenting is gently set aside. Each episode unfolds through candid, comforting conversations with well-known mothers and fathers, though the focus is less on their fame and more on their shared, human experience. Giovanna, or Gi as she’s often known, guides these discussions through every facet of raising children-the unexpected joys, the exhausting lows, the personal challenges, and the quiet rewards. The core idea that resonates throughout this podcast is the liberating notion that perfection is a myth; everyone is simply navigating parenthood as best they can. Listening feels like being part of a supportive, honest chat among friends who understand that the journey is messy and beautiful in equal measure. You’ll hear real stories that validate your own, offering both solace and a much-needed laugh. It’s a warm, inclusive audio journal that celebrates the collective reality of family life, making it a deeply relatable listen for anyone in the thick of it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Happy Mum
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