Blog Post # 01
I
am Rukh Yusuf, Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral
Nutrition and Bone Marrow Transplant. I have been working in Pediatric Oncology
unit of a public hospital for several years. The mission of this blog is to
bring to you the real-life stories of child patients suffering from cancer.
Cancer is still a difficult disease to handle and treat. However, when it
strikes the children, some so young that they cannot even speak, their agony is
beyond expression and words. Let us pray especially for children suffering from
cancer for early and complete remission. May Allah shower His Merciful
Blessings upon them. Aameen.
On a cold afternoon in January 2018, on
her way back from Quran lesson, 9 years old Farha fell and got a hit on her
leg. There was no visible injury, but she
started limping in a few days. No local
physician or “Jarrah” could help the swollen leg and put the poor soul at ease.
After MRI, tragic news of cancer (Ewing
Sarcoma of Left femur) diagnosis was heard in a nearby hospital. (Ewing sarcoma is a type of cancer that may be a bone sarcoma
(tumor) or a soft-tissue sarcoma with swelling and pain at
the site of the tumor, fever, and a bone fracture. The most common
areas where it begins are the legs, foot, pelvis, and chest wall. It can be
localized and metastatic (spreading) as well). According to the American Cancer Society, the
overall five-year survival rate for localized Ewing sarcoma is 70
percent. Patients with metastatic disease have a five-year survival rate of
15 percent to 30 percent). In our part of the world survival is
less. Farha was referred for
cancer treatment to a public Hospital in Lahore.
It is never breezy to be with pediatric
oncology patients. One must be brave enough to see withering flowers, pale
faces and trembling hearts, surrounded by as many crying eyes and praying lips.
It has been around seven years now that I am seeing these angels whose dim
lights keep me at my toes to do something, anything to brighten up their life.
Farha and her family were unaware of the
many ordeals ahead. She got admitted in hospital Lahore for chemotherapy treatment.
Her mother stayed with her while the siblings had to be looked after by the father
at home. Without knowing there was a lot to face ahead, she patiently completed
series of investigations and five tough chemotherapy cycles. In Oct
2018, in spite of chemo, her cancer spread and she had to bear amputation of
leg to avoid further spread. The brave child and her family went through this
trauma too.
Though treatment is free in public hospital, but running family life was still difficult. Looking after rest of family behind and taking care of sick child was hard to balance. Elder daughter was married at an early age and elder son had to discontinue education for earning livelihood.
Farha’s battle continued and so was her seven cycles of chemotherapy. While leg wound was healing, her left eye swelled and she started losing her vision from left eye. Her treatment in oncology unit is continuing but her mother has lost her stamina. Farha is stunned too. She is going away from life slowly and gradually. Who knows how much her little heart is aware and afraid of death?
In
Pakistan, there are almost 10,000 new Pediatric cancer cases every year. Cancer is one of the leading causes of
morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents. Almost half the children
with cancer have no access to treatment whereas large numbers are unable to
complete their treatment due to many different factors. Patient family has to
face a lot of issues from hospital access, family management, financial burden
and much more than that. Unlike the developed world where 80 % of cancer
patients survive, Pakistan has low cancer survival rate i.e. 20 to 25 % due to
number of factors we shall discuss in details in next episodes.
During my stay with these brave hearts, I
have met several little warriors fighting with this deadly disease. I see them
silently suffering, most of them even do no not know how to express their
agony; but one can see their empty eyes. I wish we all could do our part to
lessen their agony and pain. We can see how we can help them in their suffering
and can be able to ease them in their trials. I shall be sharing the battles of
many of them to show the world their courage, resilience, and most importantly
their continuing challenges.
Note: Names have been changed to protect identity.
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