Warriors and Survivors -82

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 82

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.

Ashir, a little angel from Peshawar is burning with high grade fever.  In the lap of his grandmother, he does not even remember his mother. He is stuck to his grandmother and thinks he is safe there. Grandfather having tears in his old, weak eyes is also worried for his beloved grandson who is burning with fever in front of him.

Two and half years old Ashir seems half dead, it’s his first chemo day today. He has been diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic Leukemia and he is not in a very stable condition.  Who knows this feeble poor child will be able to fight with such a monster disease or not.

Ashir’s laborer father is running here and there to get reports done for his little child. He has hardly mustered up his courage to fight with blood cancer of his dear son. Heartbreaking news of the cancer diagnosis had killed him and his whole family but then they gathered their courage and decided to go outstation to get the treatment done for their son.

Father and grandparents are with Ashir and mother is taking care for the rest of children in Peshawar. There are other diseases in the world and for children as well, but they are not as difficult as Cancer. Despite so much advancement in medical technology in diagnosis and treatment across the globe, cancer is still a nightmare for everyone, be it the Physician or the patient.

Today writing about Ashir, I remember so many of my patients to whom I saw in similar condition like Ashir. I am already afraid due to his condition, just imagine what could be the mantle state of his parents and other family members who have been counselled about his disease and exact disease condition.

Children are near to my heart and when it comes to sick children it really breaks my heart. Those who have worked with children in any capacity can imagine better the pain and happiness associated working with children. It is a nerve wrecking, constant battle. You cannot forget even dead children, their hopes, their dreams, and laughs.

Seeing Ashir in this semi unconscious state has reminded me of few children who are not among us anymore, and I request to all those who are reading to pray specially for the recovery of Ashir.

Prayers that Ashir recovers as soon as possible. May Allah grant him complete recovery and may his disease never come back. Aameen

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

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity