Caitlin Shorricks’ daughter Theía was diagnosed with neuroblastoma in May 2020. She explains how a special vest she created to protect Theía is now helping other families caring for children with cancer.
The most natural instinct for any mother with a sick child is to give them a hug and reassure them. However, when my tiny 14-week-old baby, Theía, was critically ill with cancer, I was absolutely terrified to cuddle her. The reason for that fear was the two central line tubes (also known as ‘wigglys’) dangling out of her chest. Medical staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital had warned me that if Theía or I accidentally pulled out or displaced the tubes, the consequences for her could be life-threatening.
It was agony. All I wanted to do was cuddle her but she was already so ill, I was terrified of hurting her. I had to call a nurse to help me every time I wanted to hold my own baby.
The tubes used to administer the chemotherapy were also long enough to be tugged by little hands, get caught in her toes, and even reach her nappy, which could lead to sepsis.
knew that Theía really needed to be cuddled and to feel loved to give her the best chance, so I was determined to find a safe way to be able to hold her.
My Solution
I started working on ideas with my aunt, who is an experienced dressmaker, to create a garment with an internal pocket to keep the lines safely tucked away. We called it a ‘Choob Toob’ and it was a godsend. Not only did it keep the lines safe from little hands, it also meant that I could hold her with confidence.
Even after Theía completed her treatment, her central lines remained in place for months afterwards – and any problem with the line would have meant a rush back to the hospital. But as Theía wore a Choob Toob day and night, she was able to have tummy time, learn to roll and sit up without interfering with the tubes and, most importantly, me, my husband and Theía’s grandparents were able to cuddle and play with her without the worry of accidentally pulling the line.
After treatment
After five months, Theia’s central line was removed, and her consultant asked me how many infections and line pulls she’d had while I was caring for her at home. He was surprised that she hadn’t had a single one. When I showed him the Choob Toob we created to keep the lines safe, he was fascinated and suggested I should do something with it as there wasn’t really anything like it available.
"All I wanted to do was cuddle her but she was already so ill, I was terrified of hurting her.
I still feel traumatised today by the feeling of being too scared to cuddle my sick baby and I didn’t want another parent to have to go through that anguish if I could help it. I can’t imagine being back in that situation again, it still makes me cry even just thinking about it.
Starting production
My aunt and I set about making more Choob Toobs for other sick children, constantly refining the design with each garment being hand-crafted to order. It was important to me that they didn’t look like medical garments and were not only comfortable and functional, but also fun and funky. This was especially important for older children. The Choob Toobs gave them back their sense of self and improved their wellbeing. They were able to have fun and play with their friends, knowing that their central line was safely tucked away.
What other parents have said
The feedback I’ve had from parents and children has been amazing and invaluable for the continuing development of the garment – and it makes all the effort we’ve put into it worthwhile. As one parent wrote: “To look [at my child wearing a Choob Toob] you would never know he has a line. This has had a positive effect on him by eradicating the fears he had and allowing him to feel normal.”
A five-year-old boy told his mother on receiving one, that it was the “best day ever because when I'm out, my line won't come out of my clothes and no one else will see it”. Similarly, another mother said: “My daughter is very aware of her line and is terrified people will see it (most of all, her toddler brother who would most likely have given it a good tug!). Having it tucked away out of sight in the vest really has given her so much confidence.”
Future plans
While I’m so happy that our creation is now helping so many poorly children, I have found it overwhelming at times to hear the heartbreaking stories of others, taking me back to a time any parent would want to forget. I think I’m still processing the trauma of Theía’s cancer, her treatment in the middle of a pandemic when I was unable to have my husband with me at the hospital, and the guilt of being so afraid to hold her at first.
However, the knowledge that we’ve been able to help others has spurred me on. It’s been the driving force behind wanting to be able to one day provide free Choob Toobs to every child who needs one, both here in the UK and abroad. We’re still seeking ways to fund that dream, having recently taken steps to have our designs manufactured on a larger scale and creating a fundraising page on JustGiving to make this a reality.
Thankfully, Theía is now a clever, bubbly and beautiful two-year-old who amazes and inspires me every day.
Find out more information here and order your free Choob Toob using the unique code: 'CCLG2022'.
