Warriors and Survivors - 71

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 71

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.

 

Hussain is fourteen years old, tall child. His disease has given him a grim and lean look. It hurts seeing a little one suffering with cancer, but it hurts more seeing a teen life affected by this cruel disease. A young teen who has dreams for his future and plans for his family has to fight with such a horrible disease.

In one of my previous blogs, I had discussed that in our part of the world, a male child is considered as the future pillar of the family. When some family has to stand on only one pillar with three or four female siblings, it adds to the responsibility of the sole pillar.  The parents and family have so many dreams and plans associated with their son, but it is heart wrenching when the dear prince gets the cancer like disease in his early teens.

Hussain was thirteen when he started having pain in his arm. Later a mass appeared on his arm which was resected by the surgeons. Hussain felt better for some time, but he started having pain again. Then the poor child shifted to Lahore for proper management of his disease.

Hussain had to go for many diagnostic tests and the results were shocking for the poor family. Hussain himself was very upset as he was old enough to understand the disease and suffering associated with cancer. I am helplessly sad to see him lying quietly.

Hussain belongs to a family in Mansehra, he has three younger sisters and he is the only son of his parents. His father is a daily wager. Sometimes he finds some and sometimes he has no work and earning. Financial burden adds to the disease burden. Though public sector hospital provides free medicines and food but frequent travelling from Mansehra to Lahore for child’s treatment needs both finances and courage.

Brave parents are facing both burdens but seeing their one and only beloved son in such a grim condition is really hard to bear. Hussain’s treatment started, he had four chemotherapy cycles and his condition was improving. His disease did not get worse, and he was discharged in April 2022. He was called for further follow up. When he appeared and his tests were performed for the evaluation of further treatment, the reports were sadly shocking. Hussain’s disease was spreading. He was suffering from metastatic Ewing Sarcoma.

It is grave situation; it is not guaranteed that further treatment will improve his condition so now his case will be discussed in panel for further decision of his treatment.

The parents are helpless, and Hussain is silent too. The worst fact is, he understands his condition and possible outcomes of his disease. In his age other children plan and do things for their future and he is thinking about death and his sick life.

I have no words to write more for him.

 

We only can pray for some miracle for the health and recovery of Hussain and his safe and successful future life and ease of his family. Nothing is impossible for our Lord.

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