'Doctors told me I was being overdramatic when my toddler was ill - the truth was sinister'

'Doctors told me I was being overdramatic when my toddler was ill - the truth was sinister' Sophie Sparks, 37, claims she was told she was being an "overdramatic first time mum" after taking her daughter to A&E over her daughter Darcey's symptoms - which turned out to be leukaemia A mum has told how her daughter was diagnosed with leukaemia after doctors told her she was being an "overdramatic first-time parent" over her mystery symptoms. Sophie Sparks, 37, spent six weeks desperate for answers after her daughter Darcey was struck down with repeated infections, soaring temperatures and endless coughs and colds. But she said Darcey was treated for tonsillitis, given throat spray at A&E, and told she was simply picking up common childhood illnesses from nursery. When her stomach started to swell, doctors suggested she was probably just constipated, her mum said. It was only when a GP arranged an urgent hospital assessment at Queen's Hospital in Romford, Essex, that medics finally discovered she was seriously ill. Within 24 hours of doing blood tests, Darcey was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and began chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital the following day in November 2022. Mum-of-two Sophie, Rainham, Essex, said: "It started with what seemed like normal coughs and colds, so we didn't think much of it at first. "The problem was that she never seemed to recover from one illness before the next one started. "She might have one or two good days, then she'd be poorly again with high temperatures and complete exhaustion. She just wasn't herself. "Every time we took her to a doctor, we raised concerns about it, but we were repeatedly told it was a minor illness she probably picked up at nursery or constipation. "Because we could never get an appointment with our own GP, we ended up visiting walk-in centres three times and A&E once. "Each time, we were told she was simply building her immune system, that she was young, and that these things were normal and we were just being overdramatic first-time parents. "Eventually we got a GP appointment and as soon as the doctor saw her, he was alarmed. She was extremely pale, almost yellow in complexion. He immediately told us to take her straight to A&E. "Even then, we spent four hours waiting before anyone saw us. They told us she appeared fine at which point I was beside myself and pushed for tests. "Once blood tests were done, the nurses face changed and told us Darcy was incredibly anaemic. We were told she needed a blood transfusion and would have to stay overnight. "At around 1am a doctor came to see us and said they'd reviewed her blood results. They didn't know exactly what was wrong, but they believed she had leukaemia. Within a single day, our whole world had changed. "Within 48 hours we were at Great Ormond Street Hospital and Darcy was starting chemotherapy." After two years of gruelling chemotherapy and treatment, the battling youngster, now aged five, was eventually told she was cancer free in December 2024, and rang a bell to mark the milestone. Sophie, an aviation insurance claims manager, added: "Looking back, it's hard not to question why it took six weeks to reach that diagnosis. "I don't blame individual doctors, but I do think the bigger picture was missed. "Doctors see lots of coughs, colds and infections, and I understand that. But they should also listen to parents. "We kept saying that Darcy didn't look right, that her stomach was swollen, that she was unusually pale and exhausted. Parents know when their child has changed. "But once we entered the NHS cancer system, the care was incredible. The teams at Queens and Great Ormond Street were absolutely outstanding." Darcey started school in September last year and is said to be doing "brilliantly" and is loving life as a big sister to one-year-old Harry. Sophie, who is married to husband Jon, 37, a carpenter, added that seeing Sophie walk into her first day at school reception was "one of the proudest and most emotional moments of our lives" - and revealed that she has already told them she wants to be a doctor. "That was incredibly special to hear and she is loving being a big sister, the novelty certainly hasn't worn off and they love each other." The mum now wants other parents to be more aware of the symptoms of chemotherapy, and said: "Trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone. "If they're unusually tired, pale, developing swellings, or simply don't seem themselves, keep pushing for answers. Childhood cancer can develop quickly, and early diagnosis saves lives. "Even if it turns out to be nothing serious, it's always worth getting concerns checked. Knowing the signs and symptoms, and trusting your gut as a parent, could make all the difference."