Warriors and Survivors - 35

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 35

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.

Couple of days ago, when I was in the lift going to my work area, I saw a patient who was with her mother. Both were heading towards their room in oncology unit. I noticed unusual blisters on her both hands and asked about them. She replied that it’s due to her chemotherapy.

She is 14 years old Noor, patient of Acute lymphocytic leukemia. Noor is resident of Lahore and belongs to upper middle-class family. Her father runs his business, and she is the eldest daughter of the family.

Two years ago, she developed swelling on her left eye. Swelling did not reduce even after symptomatic treatment. She started having on and off fever with malaise and body pain. Parents thought she gets tired due to school and tried to improve her diet. Noor’s problem was persistent, and parents consulted senior physician. After some tests physician referred her to children hospital for complete investigation.

Here in children’s hospital, Noor had to go through many investigations and eventually, the doctors gave her the shocking news: Noor had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her little body was riddled with blood cancer.

Her treatment started in children’s hospital, and she patiently bore two cycles of chemotherapy. During third cycle, she developed skin rash as an adverse effect of chemotherapy. Soon this rash turned into vesicles and her upper limbs were full of it. No need to say that it was too painful and troublesome. Her chemotherapy had to be held twice due to adverse reactions. But still, she is fighting with disease and chemotherapy too. She says bearing chemotherapy sometimes is worse than having cancer.

Noor has gone through four cycles of chemotherapy so far. Noor is a fun-loving little girl with an irrepressible sense of humour. Strong and determined, her courage inspires all those who know her. Even she looks miserable with so many vesicles in both hands and scar on left eye but she Masha Allah is determined to fight her disease.

Noor is student of grade eight and she wants to be a teacher one day. Her condition got worse twice during treatment, but she recovered. It’s been said that it’s her will power that helps her along with Allah’s blessings.

Her mother talked about her that Noor never complained about having cancer, but she wished that no child ever had to go through cancer treatment like she is going through.

Imagine, when treatment itself is source of trouble instead of relief and patient is young child with delicate body and soul.

We have more than 60 oncology inpatients at a given time and every child has an unforgotten story. It’s painful to be with them but one cannot be away from them after meeting these pure souls. I pray for healthy and smooth recovery of all our warriors, May Allah heal them. Aameen

We pray for health, happiness, and success of Noor and all suffering children. Aameen

 

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity.