Warriors and Survivors - 80

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 80

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. 

Tashiqa is only ten years old and likes to talk too much and play around. She is very expressive and loves to make friends, and little cute Tashiqa is also my friend. She has explained history of her disease herself. 

She was fine few months ago when suddenly a mass appeared on her neck, and it was painful. Her parents took her to hospital where after clinical checkup, MRI was advised to her. After MRI she had to go through Biopsy. The biopsy and MRI reports led to further investigations and after series of diagnostics test, she was confirmed as case of Euro Ewing Sarcoma. 

Advised by Neurophysician, her brain surgery was done in Lahore general hospital. She felt better after long time. Her pain relieved after surgery and Tashiqa and her family were happy thinking it was over. Later she was referred to Children’s hospital for further cancer treatment. 

Frightened and worried, the parents took their child to Children’s hospital. Again, she was admitted there and before initiating treatment, doctors counselled the family and child about treatment, its challenges, expected duration and chances of treatment success. It is necessary to brief the families in the start so that they become mentally ready to face the challenges ahead. Most of the families fight till last for their beloved children but many lose heart due to cumbersome treatment and other problems associated with cancer treatment.

Tashiqa has two sisters and one brother, and her father works as sales manager in some company. Both parents are struggling for their daughter’s treatment. Though they are from the same city, and they do not have to travel long for Tashiqa’s treatment, but it is very long duration. Tashiqa has completed her six chemotherapy courses and has undergone ten radiation sessions, and this is a lot for a ten-year-old female child.  She was admitted in hospital in February 2022 and its already ten months of treatment and there is still a long way to go.

Tashiqa is a brave, lively child, she is getting better Alhamdulillah with each passing day and doctors are positive if she completes her chemotherapy, she will recover soon Insha Allah. 

Prayers that Tashiqa recovers as soon as possible. May Allah grant her complete recovery and may her disease never come back. Aameen

 

Prayers for the ease of tashiqa and her family. May Allah recover all patients. May Allah ease and cure all patients and cancer warriors.

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity