Warriors and Survivors - 37

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 37

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.

Flowers, and children are alike, they elevate our mood and bring freshness whenever we come across them. Probably, this is reason we bring flowers for our dear ones and spend time with children.

Meeting with children may not be a cheerful experience when they are in hospital suffering with some uncommon disease. I was not happy after meeting seven years Azan Ali today. In fact, after seeing his condition I am in pain.

Azan Ali is seven years old child, resident of Shahdra. He has three siblings, and he is third child of his parents. Poor guy does not belong to an educated family, and he is not even a school going child at the age of seven years. He only goes to local mosque to learn Quran. His father is street vendor.

Couple of months ago, Azan felt pain in abdomen. In this age abdominal pain is considered as an excuse for holiday so parents did not bother much. In the next few days, Azan’s pain was a routine. So, the family had to go to local community doctor. Doctor prescribed some routine and pain medicines. After a couple of visits when doctor could not rule out anything, he referred Azan to tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Family hardly managed to take him to hospital where a series of diagnostic tests were started. Soon azan was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. He was admitted in pediatric oncology unit and his treatment was initiated.

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a very fast-growing tumor. Patients should be admitted to the hospital for rapid workup and diagnostic measures. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for this disease. Consultation with a hematologist and oncologist should be obtained as soon as possible. 

It is critical to closely monitor serum chemistries in patients with Burkitt lymphoma (BL), especially during chemotherapy because of the high risk of tumor lysis syndrome and uric acid nephropathy. Prophylactic allopurinol and aggressive hydration with urine alkalinization should be administered.

 Azan’s chemotherapy was started few days ago, but he got sick suddenly and his chemo had to be held. Currently he has bad chest and is oxygen dependent and I met him today in this condition. He is lying straight in bed with oxygen mask on. He can hear and understand everything but lying helplessly.

His mother is worried and is unable to figure out what she should for her child. She cannot stay full time with her suffering son as she had to look after the rest of the family including 3 years old youngest one. Azan’s aunt used to stay with him at night and his mother comes in morning.

Azan is a cute, innocent child who is unable to express even his agony. He is lying still, watching and feeling every pain he is having. I am unable to forget Azan’s facial expression and restlessness of his mother I saw today.

I need lots of sincere prayers for Azan’s health. Let’s pray for health, happiness, and successful treatment of Azan, and all suffering children. Aameen

I pray for healthy and smooth recovery of all our warriors, May Allah heal them. Aameen

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity.