Warriors and Survivors -75

 

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 75

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.

 

AML (Acute myeloid leukemia) Is a cancer of the bone marrow and the blood that Progresses rapidly without treatment. AML mostly affects cells that aren't fully developed; these cells can't carry out their normal functions.  AML can be a difficult disease to treat. Researchers are studying new approaches to AML therapy in clinical trials.

There is no known cause for most cases of AML. For most people who have AML, there are no obvious reasons (risk factors) why they developed the disease. You cannot catch AML from someone else.

While the cause of AML is unknown, several factors are associated with an increased risk of developing AML, including, Age: The risk of developing AML increases with age. Sex: Males are more likely than females to develop AML. Exposure to dangerous chemicals: Long-term exposure to high levels of certain chemicals, such as benzene, is linked to a greater risk of AML. Smoking: AML is linked to exposure to tobacco smoke, which contains benzene and other cancer-causing agents.  Previous cancer treatment: People who received radiation therapy or chemotherapy have an increased risk of developing AML, called "treatment-related" or "therapy-related" AML.  Exposure to very high doses of radiation: People exposed to very high levels of radiation are at increased risk of developing AML (for example, survivors of an atomic bomb blast or a nuclear reactor accident). Other blood cancers: Certain blood disorders may evolve over time into AML.  Genetic disorders: Genetic disorders present at birth that seem to increase the risk of AML include Down syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, Bloom syndrome, Trisomy 8, Fanconi anemia, Klinefelter syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, Kostmann syndrome and Shwachman-Diamond syndrome. Familial risk/germline predisposition: Certain gene mutations present at birth may increase the risk of developing AML. 

Alishba is only 10 years old and a very cute child. Like all other children she has dreams and plans for her future. She is a lively child and loves to roam around and meet different people. She loves her teacher and wants to be like her.

While she was playing, her mother saw a lump on her neck, and she observed that the lump increased in size with time. Since she was under observation, blue spots appeared on her knees. It was a matter of concern for doctors. Alishba was admitted in hospital, and to familys’s surprise she was diagnosed for AML (acute myeloid Leukemia). The family had no previous history of cancer.

Alishba was admitted in hospital, her treatment started, and the brave child had multiple chemotherapy sessions in four months. She is getting little better. Her treatment is continued.

The poor family belongs to Sargodha and Alishba has four siblings. Father is a daily wager and though it is difficult to run the family like this, but he is working hard for uninterrupted treatment of her lively daughter.

We pray for the ease of Alishba’s father and his family. We pray for the health and happiness and dreams of Alishba and her safe and successful future life and ease of her 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