Warriors and Survivors - 31

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 31

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.

 

Ibrahim was extremely well, extremely active, and healthy till one and a half years of his age. He is the only son of his parents and apple of eye for the entire family. His parents prayed for a long time for him.

In early July, Ibrahim had a boil on his face which slowly got bigger and covered his whole right cheek near nose. It was also very painful. His mother decided to go to local physician. Physician said, “I think you should go to ER straight away.” So, her mother went straight to local hospital’s emergency without any further delay.

Doctors in emergency evaluated him and informed that some blood tests were needed before resection of the mass. Ibrahim was referred to a tertiary care hospital in Lahore for further treatment.

Parents took him to Lahore from Gujranwala. After necessary investigations, his mass was resected and after few days of post surgery treatment he was discharged, and Ibrahim left for home happily. Parents were happy too for the recovery of their only son.

After only a month, the poor child started having same problem again, and gradually the same mass appeared on the same location. The mother was extremely worried and concerned as Ibrahim was hardly three years old and he had faced a long disease and treatment in such a young age. But she did not know that there was another trial ahead they had to face.

Ibrahim’s parents consulted the doctor again and he advised multiple investigations as per the case. After many tests, worst news was given to Ibrahim’s parents “your child has cancer”

Ibrahim was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is a type of sarcoma. Sarcoma is cancer of soft tissue (such as muscle), connective tissue (such as tendon or cartilage), or bone. Rhabdomyosarcoma usually begins in muscles that are attached to bones and help the body move, but it may begin in many places in the body.

Ibrahim’s treatment and chemotherapy was started in September and the little angel is bearing the therapy so far. In fact, a three-year-old angel does not know what he is going through. He just knows that he is not at home, and he does not like it to be in hospital at any cost.

Ibrahim used to be friendly and loving child, he used to play around and meet people but now he is different as he has been through a lot. His disease has changed him. He is afraid of people now. He thinks anyone coming to him might inject him some medicine or take him for some test. He is always angry and wants to go home.

His mother says, nothing is normal, nothing is comforting, nothing is regular. Everything is irregular and seems useless. It seems life is on hold, and all that matters is making Ibrahim as comfortable and happy as he can be. His mother wishes to make Ibrahim’s stay as comfortable and joyful as she can.

Seeing one’s child suffering with such a horrific illness is very difficult, and the pain is immense when he is too young to understand his condition.

 

We all pray for smooth recovery of Ibrahim and all children like him. Aameen

 

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity.