Warriors and Survivors - 68

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 68

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.

 

Male child is considered a pillar of the family in our part of the world. The parents raise their sons proudly thinking they will be responsible for the family when they grow up. They train them as responsible family member usually. But sometimes trials don’t let them to.

Asadullah is fourteen years old and Masha Allah good and strong looking child. By the grace of Allah, he does not look like a cancer patient. But still, he is suffering for two years and the parents are taking him along in different hospitals for his investigations.

Asadullah is a case of suspected Hodgkin’s disease. Two years ago in mid 2020, he had swollen lymph nodes in his neck and other part of the body. His parents took him to a physician for consultation. Investigational tests were initiated to rule out and treat his disease.

Initially his tests were negative, and he was looking fine with respect to the investigation reports. At that time, he was suspected of having Ewing’s Sarcoma and his final diagnosis could not be established as his lab findings were normal, but his presenting complains were there.  So Asadullah was discharged and was called for repeated follow ups to confirm his clinical conditions.

He was doing fine at home, busy in his beautiful teen life when suddenly he developed swollen lymph nodes in other parts of the body with fever. Her mother was alarmed, she took his dear son and again approached the hospital.

Once again, Asadullah’s tests have been initiated and he is under observation. The innocent kid looks at every doctor with a hope that someone will give him the news that everything is fine with him, and he will be able to continue his normal happy life.

 

But still nothing has been ruled out, still his bone marrow biopsy is awaited, and he and his mother are waiting every second to hear the good news of all clear. His mother is fearful this time, she says her son’s disease is aggressive now.

 

She is mentally prepared to initiate chemotherapy treatment but praying that no such news of disease is given to them. Asadullah does not speak much, he just keeps looking at everyone with empty eyes. He is not able to figure out about his condition and future. He is more interested in his studies, his friends, and his activities at home.

 

Asadullah belongs to a middle-class family, his father works in some factory in Gujranwala, and he has two siblings, Asadullah is the middle one. All siblings are school students, but Asadulah’s education is halted due to his disease.

 

Asadullah wants to be an engineer and anxiously waiting for the result of his lab investigations that can declare him fit, so that he may be able to go home happily and continue his life.

 

A lot of prayers for some miracle for the health and recovery of Asadullah and his safe and successful future life and ease of his family.

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

Warriors and Survivors - 67

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 67

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.

Most of the children in Oncology unit are not in a very good condition, especially in a developing country like ours. This is due to so many limitations and factors associated with the disease and treatment facilities. But there are few patients for whom we need courage and strong heart to even look at. Ahmad Hassan is one of them.

Ahmad Hassan is suffering with Retinoblastoma of right eye since he was couple of months old. He is third child of his parents. The eldest one is only five years old, middle one is two and half year old and Ahmad Hassan is youngest one year old now.

Ahmad Hassan is just one year old pure soul with so many heart wrenching stories of his one-year-old life. I am too sad since I saw him and unable to forget his pain. Poor kid has lost his mother in just six months of his life. Her mother got an Angina attack when she was feeding his youngest one (Ahmad Hassan). Little angel is fighting with this terrible disease without the biggest support everyone has, his mother. 

When I got his history, I felt may be his mother could not bear her son’s illness and she had a heartbreak. As per her paternal aunt, at six months of age, Ahmad Hassan had white lesion in right eye. That progressively enlarged with proptosis. The eye got so enlarged that it had to be operated. And the poor kid had an eye surgery even before his first birthday.

His eye operation (enucleation) was done in private clinic in Bahawalpur. Just after one month of surgery he had again progression of lesion with proptosis. Now he is presented with this current condition with a large eye mass in children hospital.

Ahmad Hassan’s investigations have almost been completed and his chemotherapy has been started today. The poor guy will bear chemo as well in this minor age.

Like most other cancers, retinoblastoma may also be linked with cousin marriage along with many other factors. There is trend of cousin marriage in Ahmad Hassan’s family, his parents are first cousins and there is long list of consanguineous marriages in close family as well. His two other siblings are Alhumdolillah normal, while two of paternal aunts have some genetic ailment too.

The elder kids are taken care of by their grandmother while phupho is looking after Ahmad Hassan. I am praying for his ease and recovery soon. May he be able to see the world even with one eye with health.

Retinoblastoma is a rare type of cancer that grows on the retina at the back of the eye. It develops in children under age 5. Treatments include cryotherapy (freezing the tumor), chemotherapy and surgery. The prognosis depends on several factors, including whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Retinoblastoma in children is uncommon and it only affects about 3 in 1 million children. However, some symptoms that  could be signs of eye cancer in children may include: a white reflection in the eyes from a photograph taken with a flash, Misaligned eyes, blood shots in the white of the eye, pus collecting in the front of the eye, and swollen eye socket.

Prayers for some miracle for the health and recovery of Ahmad Hassan and ease of his family.

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

Warriors and Survivors - 66

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 66

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.

Mostly during my work routine, I find patients for my blog but sometimes I have to look for them to decide for the upcoming week and this decision has never been easy. There are too many patients and stories all around us and every patient is worth writing about and every child and family needs support and prayers.

This suffering community segment is an opportunity for us to serve and do our best efforts, not only in medical help but also financial support and provisions.

It was my Eid duty and I saw Imranullah and his grandmother, who was feeding him milk with Naso-gastric – N/G tube. It is a normal sight in an oncology unit or any critical care unit. But I was saddened to see them both suffering no matter Eid or what, child is fighting with death.

Eid in Oncology unit is different from other normal units of hospitals. Relatively stable Children/Patients are discharged mostly in other medical or surgical units. But in Oncology department these are chronic patients who come from far off places and they have their schedule with them so they cannot be discharged to celebrate Eid. So, Eid is almost like a regular day in Oncology unit.

So apparently a regular scene on Eid duty made me sad, thinking most of the country is celebrating and Imranullah is lying in unconscious state having his feed with NG. His grandmother who hardly understands language and other things was taking care of him. His mother was away for some time for urgent necessity.

Imranullah is five years old child who was diagnosed with (leukemia) ALL two years back and was treated in this hospital for more than one and half year but during treatment his disease came back. The family left against advice and reappeared again in 2022. This time Imran was not in good condition. He presented as sick child with fits and fever. He was received in emergency in May 2022 and after emergency treatment he was shifted in oncology critical care and his work started again for current cancer stage and condition.

He is admitted since May 2022 and is diagnosed with CNS relapse, he is in such a vegetative condition to be treated further. I cannot even say that Imran is fighting with his disease as he does not seem to be fighting. He is lying motionless in his bed. The poor child is on palliation now.

The poor family is living in hospital attached inn for two months as they belong to Sargodha. They have other children too to look after at home, but they have to fight the disease of their beloved son till his last breath.

Health care staff is doing their work but only Allah can grant health and ease to this family.

Prayers for some miracle for the health and recovery of Imranullah and ease of his family.

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

Warriors and Survivors - 65

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 65

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.

 

Today I met Ayan who is only five years old cute boy. He was lying in his bed with extremely flat expression. I could not understand the reason for his behavior, it was due to his pain, his sufferings since more than a year. Or his no concern attitude may be reason of his loss of interest in anything due to his long ailment.

Almost one and a half year back, Ayan started feeling pain in his right leg and this pain did not settle with any remedy or treatment. The parents who are themselves young were worried enough for their child. They took him to local District Headquarters Hospital, and from there Ayan was referred to tertiary care pediatric cancer unit for diagnosis.

Here Ayan was diagnosed as a case of Ewing’s Sarcoma and his treatment started a year ago. Innocent Ayan bore this long duration of chemotherapy and frequent hospital visits from his hometown which itself is energy draining.

Somehow, the parents and Ayan have completed seven cycles of chemotherapy which was too difficult to bear for a young age child. Then there was another trial for already devastated family; Ayan had to undergo his leg surgery. His femur had been affected and the surgeon had to operate Ayan to fix his femur. It was a major surgery and he had to bear it.

After Surgery there were more chemotherapy to be given to him. Ayan has completed three more cycles since surgery and now one can imagine why the five-year-old child looks emotionless.

Ayan is lying in bed still and emotionless. He is waiting to celebrate his childhood and happiness of this age. His leg has been affected, I hope he will still be able to live a healthy and happy life.

Ayan has one younger sister who is two years old, and his father works in factory. The family is educated but they are not so stable financially. The family belongs to surroundings of Faisalabad.

I am heartbroken to see emotionless ayan and his worried mother. I pray for the recovery of Ayan. May Allah grant him health and happiness soon. May he be able to live a healthy life.

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

Warriors and Survivors -64

 

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 64

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.

 

Anaya is only three years old, too young to understand what is going on with her and how she should express her pain. She only knows her suffering and uneasiness via crying. It is painful to see her suffering with aplastic anemia. Yes, she is too small and fighting with a very big disease.

Anaya’s mother is a semiliterate housewife who does not know exactly what kind of cancer her daughter is fighting. She only understands that her youngest daughter is suffering with blood cancer.

Anaya has three elder siblings, two brothers and one sister. Her sister is student of grade six and two elder brothers are also students of grade five and four. Anaya’s father is working in some factory. The family basically belongs to Pakpattan but lives in Okara to earn livelihood.

Though there is not much distance between the two cities but coming from Okara for the treatment of their daughter is still not easy.

Let’s have a look at what exactly aplastic anemia is. Aplastic anemia is a syndrome of bone marrow failure characterized by peripheral pancytopenia and marrow hypoplasia. Although the anemia is often normocytic, mild macrocytosis can also be observed in association with stress erythropoiesis and elevated fetal hemoglobin levels.

Symptoms of aplastic anemia include Fatigue, Infections that last a long time and easy bruising or bleeding. Aplastic anemia is caused by damage to stem cells inside bone marrow, which is the sponge-like tissue within bones. Many diseases and conditions can damage the stem cells in bone marrow. As a result, the bone marrow makes fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

The most common cause of bone marrow damage is from immune system attacking and destroying the stem cells in bone marrow. This is a type of autoimmune illness, a disease that makes body attack itself. Other causes of aplastic anemia include some medicines, such as those used in chemotherapy, and exposure to toxins or chemicals in the environment. One can also inherit the condition, in rare cases. Treatments for aplastic anemia may include Blood and bone marrow transplants, which may cure aplastic anemia in some people. Blood transfusions. Medicines to stop immune system from destroying the stem cells in bone marrow. Medicines to help body make new blood cells and removing or staying away from toxins in environment.

Aplastic anemia can raise risk of complications such as bleeding, leukemia, or other serious blood conditions. Without treatment, aplastic anemia can lead to serious medical conditions such as an irregular heartbeat and heart failure.

Anaya got the disease three months back when she fell from bed and after this incident, she had frequent pain and problem in standing and sitting. On medical examinations and x-rays, it was revealed that her leg bones had some infections. Doctors decided for some surgery after medications. When her Complete blood count was done, her counts were too abnormal to go for the surgery. She was then referred to children’s hospital Lahore.

Here, little Anaya has been diagnosed as aplastic anemia, she is still on symptomatic treatment and observation. Her further confirmatory reports are still awaited. But it is heartbreaking to see such a young soul suffering with such a dreaded disease.

I pray for the recovery of Anaya. May Allah grant her health and happiness soon. May he be able to live a healthy life. 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