Former SA Bachelor contestant Sophie Edwards reveals fight ahead after shock cancer diagnosis

When Sophie Edwards adopted her nephew Jaxon in 2015, she never thought he’d be her biggest inspiration as she faced the fight of her life.

When former Bachelor contestant Sophie Edwards adopted her nephew Jaxon to raise as her own in 2015, it was the biggest – but easiest – decision of her life.

Her then-21-year-old sister, who has Asperger’s syndrome, was unable to bond with her new baby, so Ms Edwards took him into her care.

The 34-year-old single mum appeared on Richie Strachan’s season of The Bachelor in 2016, but decided to keep Jaxon, now seven, out of the public eye until after the show ended.

Ms Edwards’ sister stays involved in their lives, but for Jaxon, Sophie is Mum.

Now, Jaxon will be one of Ms Edward’s biggest supports as she faces the greatest battle of her life.

Last month, Ms Edwards was diagnosed with stage 2 rectal adenocarcinoma, a form of bowel cancer usually found in people over 50.

Former SA Bachelor contestant Sophie Edwards says her son Jaxon is her biggest inspiration. Picture: Instagram.

“I noticed that I was needing to empty my bowels more frequently … I didn’t really think too much of it and I was almost a bit embarrassed to alert my doctor. Before I knew it I was having accidents during the day,” she said.

“The first doctor I saw was a bit dismissive and made me feel like she didn’t believe me. She told me to get Gastro Stop and go home.”

But after pushing for further tests, doctors discovered a large mass in Ms Edwards’ rectum and confirmed the worst.

In the past month, the 34-year-old has undergone surgery to create a stoma, a surgically created opening in the abdomen that allows bowel movements to leave the body, and fertility treatment to harvest her eggs before she undergoes radiation therapy.

“I knew I only had one chance. It’s basically guaranteed that my reproductive system is completely obliterated after this because of the location of my tumour and the radiation and chemo,” Ms Edwards said.

Ms Edwards said Jaxon had empowered her through the difficult past weeks with the innocence – and laughter – only a child could give.

“We don’t use the word cancer around him, I feel like that can have really negative connotations,” she said.

“So I’ve named everything – I’ve named my tumour ‘Remus’, and we’ve got Susan the stoma … I’ve told him that there’s something inside Mummy and it’s going to take a lot of help from doctors to get rid of it.

Sophie Edwards has been candid about her cancer journey on social media. Picture: Instagram

Ms Edwards says Jaxon’s positivity has been her rock. Picture: Instagram.

“He thinks it’s awesome. He’s like, ‘oh my God, Mum, you can literally be standing, talking to someone and doing a poo and they won’t even know. That is the best superpower I’ve ever heard of’.

“That’s the kind of attitude I needed, separating that from myself has even been good for my mental health. It’s something that shouldn’t be in my body, it’s got a name and we can both refer to it in anger.”

Ms Edwards said her son was her reason to fight, relentlessly and positively, through the long journey ahead.

“Focusing what that is going to look like in the future, visualising how incredibly excited and happy he’s going to be when we get to do these amazing trips … that’s everything that I need to get me through the radiation sessions,” she said.

“When I’m feeling sick from the chemo, that’s all I need – to focus on his smile and excitement.”

The former Bachelor star wants to use her platform to encourage others to fight for their health and not take symptoms for granted.

“If you have to think, ‘is this normal?’, you have to go straight to the doctor. Even if it turns out to be something minor, at least you’ve got it checked out,” she said.

“Advocate for your health. If you’re not happy with the answer the doctor gives you, then go somewhere else, you’re not crazy.”

Originally published as Former SA Bachelor contestant Sophie Edwards reveals fight ahead after shock cancer diagnosis