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