Rest in peace princess’ were the heartbreaking words that told the world baby Azaylia had died. Former footballer Ashley Cain, 31, and his then girlfriend Safiyya Vorajee, 34, had just eight short months with their daughter before she passed away in April 2021 after a battle with acute myeloid leukaemia. Ashley had written on Instagram, ‘Rest in peace princess, I will always hold you in my heart.’
Since then, Safiyya and Ashley have set up The Azaylia Foundation, supporting children with cancer. But while they continue to work on the foundation together, the couple announced in March 2022, a month before the first anniversary of Azaylia’s death, that they had decided to split.
And now, Safiyya has laid her grief and heartache bare in her new book, Loving and Losing You, Azaylia: My Inspirational Daughter and Our Unbreakable Bond. Here, Woman’s Own shares an extract.
HARD TO TAKE IN
My phone rang again, sending more shockwaves through my body. Mum was on loudspeaker so we could both hear, but my head was in that bucket of water again, the words distorted as they bubbled into my brain. ‘Her white blood cell count is very high.’ Mum still sounded in control but there was an anxious edge to her voice now. The tears were splashing down my face and I couldn’t stop crying long enough to get two words out.
‘What does that mean?’ It was Ashley who was speaking now. ‘What’s normal? What’s it meant to be?’
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin July 04, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye WOMAN'S OWN dergisinin July 04, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on cooked brealdfasts, divorce and cleaning
GOING SOLO
Claire Waite Brown, 52, hadn't travelled alone for over 30 years
The rise of DUCHESS SOPHIE
The Duchess of Edinburgh has transformed from PR girl into the Royal Family’s secret weapon’
EXPLORE THE SURREY HILLS
For great walks with spectacular views, this green oasis is a welcome retreat
THE TRUE COST OF ACID ATTACKS
After the number of chemical assaults making headlines this year, Woman’s Own investigates the devastating impact on victims
LOW-CAL FAKEAWAYS
Healthier fast-food favourites, all under 405 calories per serving
'CANCER WON'T RUIN MY WEDDING'
Just weeks before her big day, Charlotte Nash-Pye, 36, found a lump in her breast
HE WENT ON A NIGHT OUT, AND NEVER CAME BACK
Safina Powell will never know the truth about what happened to her son
I'M 64 AND I'VE NEVER HAD AN ORGASM
Despite being happily married for over 30 years, Carole Baker never truly enjoyed sex
'IT'S A NIGHTMARE'
Coleen Nolan on why stress is causing her to have a 'meltdown'