Warriors and Survivors -62

 

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 62

 

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.

 

Seeing a young child suffering from cancer is very difficult, in terms of his/her pain bearing capacity and inability to communicate his/her feelings. But seeing a grown-up child fighting cancer battle and losing this hard battle is even worse.

I am very sad since I met Habib ur Rehman and his family. Habib ur Rehman is 14 years old male child suffering with Ewing Sarcoma. One should feel happy and energetic after meeting new generation of this age, but I am down since I have seen dim light in his eyes.

Habib ur Rehman is from Gujranwala and he has two younger brothers and one sister. His father does his own small business of oils. The business is too small to meet their expense somehow.

In April 2021 Habib ur Rehman was presented in oncology OPD with history of fever, body aches and generalized weakness. He was having these symptoms since many months. Parents finally brought their child for check up in tertiary care after initial treatment from local physicians. Here Habib was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma after a series of investigations and tests. His treatment was started, and the poor child had to hold his studies and come for follow up and treatment every week.

Since April 2021, he has been on treatment and the parents and Habib had hopes that he would recover soon. They continued coming to hospital regularly for treatment. Habib had completed his six chemotherapy cycles and he was improving gradually.

Suddenly he developed high grade fever and had to be admitted in the hospital. During the investigations, it occurred that he has developed left sided empyema. Habib remained admitted for some time and his treatment continued. His fever came down and apparently he was improving.

But to the surprise of his family and doctors his cancer was coming back. Rather his disease is now metastatic Ewings sarcoma, and he has developed Mets in the lung.

A very painful situation for Habib and his family. I am sad since I met him, in his age children plan for their future and do amazing things for themselves and want to conquer the world. But Habib was lying sadly, thinking about his future. I could not meet his mother, but if I had to meet her, I believe I would not be able to face the lady whose grown-up child is on palliation and has no hope for his future life.

It is true that when Allah gives a trial, He also grants the courage to bear the pain. May Allah give Habib and his family fortitude to bear this suffering and May Allah ease their pain.

I pray for some miracle for the recovery of Habib ur Rehman. May Allah grant him health and happiness soon. May he be able to live a healthy life and dream for his future too.

 

Prayers for the complete health and recovery of all other 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