Isobel Allen was 19 years old and just starting her career in recruitment when she was told she had sarcoma of the uterus.
Her diagnosis in May 2023 came after months of pain and discomfort and trips to various hospitals for scans and tests.
At first, doctors thought a fibroid was the cause of her symptoms but after seeking private treatment she had a biopsy which revealed she had cancer.
She was immediately transferred from Queen’s Hospital in Romford, Essex to University College London Hospital (UCLH), where she was admitted.
Her mum Sarah Allen tells The i Paper: “They did a Pet scan and that’s when they realised the cancer had spread everywhere.
“She wasn’t well enough to have it removed.
“It went from one to a hundred overnight.
“One moment Isobel was leading the normal life of a 19-year-old then she was terminally ill.”
Isobel spent three weeks at UCLH. At first, doctors had thought she would not make it out of hospital but she rallied and did come home.
When Isobel returned to the central London hospital to begin her chemotherapy treatment, she was introduced to Young Lives vs Cancer specialist social worker Lydia.
It was to be a pivotal point in her cancer journey.
Isobel at her mum Sarah’s 50th birthday celebrations (Photo: Young Lives vs Cancer)“From the moment she came round to see Isobel, she made her feel at ease,” says Sarah, “Isobel never wanted to know how long she had and Lydia got that, she never pushed that.
“She could read the room.”
What she did was provide opportunities for Isobel, her parents and brother Josh, from Hornchurch in Essex, to make some special memories in the time they had together.
She put them in touch with an organisation offering heavily discounted theatre tickets to West End shows, something mother and daughter had always loved to do.
They saw hit shows such as Grease and Sister Act, which Sarah would not otherwise have been able to afford as she had gived up her job as a hairdresser to look after Isobel.
It also provided a little bit of normality in unsettling times.
Lydia also helped Isobel to sort out her benefit claims as she was unable to go back to work because of her cancer treatment.
“You didn’t want to be thinking about things like that,” Sarah says, “Lydia said ‘would you like me to take control of that’ and she did.”
Every time Isobel was at UCLH for chemotherapy, Lydia would come to see her and in between visits she would text to check how she and the family was getting on.
“She wasn’t just there for Isobel, she was there for me as well,” says Sarah.
One thing Isobel was reluctant to take advantage of at first was an introduction to the charity Make-a-Wish UK.
Isobel told her mum: “It’s like a death wish and I’m not ready to make that yet.”
Isobel about to embark on another round of chemotherapy (Photo: Young Lives vs Cancer)But as her health deteriorated, she did decide to do it and had a remarkable experience.
“We went to the Louis Vuitton shop in London,” says Sarah, “Isobel got a Louis Vuitton handbag and we were treated like celebrities.
“It made Isobel smile at a time when there wasn’t much to smile about.
“All of these types of things were down to Lydia and Young Lives vs Cancer.
“Cancer is tough, really tough but Young Lives vs Cancer provides something good out of something so horrible and cruel.
“They help to make the journey a little lighter and better.”
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Isobel died in April this year.
She managed to pack a lot into the less than two years she had between diagnosis and her death, with the help of Young Lives vs Cancer.
“Isobel was a massive character, who loved life,” says Sarah, “We didn’t get the miracle but we did get a little miracle.”
A Home for Christmas appeal
The i Paper is proud to support Young Lives vs Cancer through its Christmas Appeal, A Home for Christmas, helping to make a lasting difference for families with children facing cancer.
The appeal aims to raise £100,000 to ensure the charity can continue providing vital, tailored support – from financial guidance and emotional care to its “Homes from Home” accommodation centres, which allow families to stay together near hospital during treatment.
To donate, visit younglivesvscancer.org.uk/i-appeal or text IPAPERTEN to 70580 to donate £10 or IPAPERTWENTY to donate £20.*Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.
What your money could buy
£5 could print five storybooks to help a child understand the cancer treatment they are having. £10 could buy food so families can cook a meal to enjoy together away from the hospital canteen. £18 helps power a Home from Home for a day. £52 means a social worker could provide emotional and practical support (such as applying for financial help or attending difficult appointments) so children and their families don’t have to face cancer alone. £70 could pay for a family stay in a Young Lives vs Cancer Home from Home so they can be near their child in hospital with cancer. £100 could fund a hardship grant for families.Hence then, the article about one moment isobel 19 was leading a normal life then she was terminally ill was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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