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