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