Warriors and Survivors - 69

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 69

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.

 

Cancer patients and specially children are recognized easily as they have usually deteriorated health, pale complexion, and hair loss. It is not easy to see them around in such condition. But there are very few exceptions, and these exceptions are more painful to watch.

I still remember eleven years old Areeba who does not look like a patient or a cancer patient. She seems a healthy child but in fact she is not, and this thing hurts more.

Areeba is suffering from osteosarcoma (bone cancer). She is a cute, healthy looking child but she has lost her long and beautiful hair in this battle.  Areeba is fighting this battle since more than four months.

Areeba’s mother is a brave and educated lady who is courageous like all the mothers are who are fighting this battle. She is more than worried for her bright and cute kid.

Before disease Areeba used to be a shining and bright child who used to roam around and play with her dolls. Areeba used to have very long and healthy hair. But since disease, she has lost her long hair and she is extremely sad about this. Not only hair but she has also lost her shine and smiles.

The family belongs to Gujranwala and unlike majority, this family is educated with better financial circumstances. Mother is housewife and father works in some bank. Areeba has two sisters and one brother, and all the children are school students.

Areeba has got four chemotherapy cycles and it is her fifth cycle going. It is her strength that she has survived all this chemo.

Her mother used to ask from every available doctor about the treatment success and condition of her child. Areeba seems concerned too. She knows her disease. But she does not discuss about herself. It is painful that these bright flowers are withering like this.

A lot of prayers for some miracle for the health and recovery of Areeba and her 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