Warriors and Survivors - 53

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 53

 

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.

 

In 2016 Abdullah was only two and half years old, when he started intermittent high-grade fever and body and joint pains. He was unable to stand mostly. Parents consulted doctor when his condition got worse. He was diagnosed with Acute lymphocytic leukemia at the age of 2.5 years.

The family is from Gujrat, father is small shop owner, and he has four children, two daughters and two sons. Abdullah is the younger son.

Initially Abdullah remained admitted and diagnosed in PIMS Islamabad but after final diagnosis he was referred to Children’s hospital Lahore. His treatment started in fall 2016 with chemotherapy cycles and completed after three years in 2019. It was a long duration for a family for multiple visits to another city leaving unattended three children and shop behind. No doubt a very tough time but the family invested their every effort for the sake of their son. Luckily after three years Abdullah defeated cancer and he was fine. It was a great news and they left for their hometown happily.

For two years Abdullah was healthy and growing happily, he was admitted to school as well. In fall 2021 exactly after two years of his recovery, Abdullah had fever and testicular swelling. Mother took him to hospital again, doctors said few tests will be done. His MRI brain and abdomen was also done. His surgery was planned but could not be done due to some administrative issues.

Abdullah got face swelling and stomatitis and is admitted again he is unable to even swallow anything. His mother once again mustered up courage and has brought him to hospital. She started crying while narrating the whole history. She is simple housewife who keeps on asking every doctor that whether her son will be alright.

This question is too difficult to reply, Abdullah’s tests are still being done and it is high probability that his cancer has relapsed. We have a plan to start his chemotherapy as per the relapse protocol, but it is too early to say anything and not an easy task to explain to his mother about her son’s cancer. She has only spent two years of relief after a long duration of treatment in another city.

Abdullah is too innocent and young to know what is going on with him. When I was standing near him, He was opening his Chips bag to give to another child as he himself was unable to eat due to stomatitis. Intensely emotional scenes are seen in daily routine in a pediatric cancer unit.

 

We pray for the ease of the Abdullah and his family and the complete health and recovery of Abdullah and all warriors who are suffering with their families.

May Allah ease and cure all patients and cancer warriors.

 

 

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity