Friday, March 31, 2023

Warriors and Survivors - 102

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 102

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. 


Twelve-year-old Kashan was living a simple but happy life until he felt a lump in his neck. Initially he was not worried being unaware of the outcomes. When the lumps increased in size and number, he discussed it with his parents. His grandmother took him to local doctor. 

Kashan’s father is handicapped due to some accident, he is too weak to work, and his grandmother and mother used to work as maid and earn livelihood. One can imagine how difficult it would be for them to live even a simple life. This simple life become worst when any of the family member get the chronic disease like cancer. 

Local doctor examined him initially and gave some pain relief als0 referred him to tertiary care unit. The family belongs to Sargodha. Grandmother took Kashan and reached Children hospital. 

Diagnostic tests were done, and Kashan turned out as a Hodgkin Lymphoma patient. His grand mother with tears in her eyes told that “We did not know that we are coming to have a disease in this city.” It was heartbreaking news. But old lady was courageous enough to decide her grandson’s treatment and then his chemotherapy was started immediately.

In few months Kashan received four chemotherapy cycles and he was getting better gradually. 

His mother and grandmother both worked hard to complete his chemotherapy. Kashan’s mother stayed with him in hospital alone, managing everything for her grandson. Kashan’s mother was fighting this battle while staying at home, working as maid, and raising and looking after her other kids and handicap husband. 

A 12-year-old male child is mature enough to see life realities and complications. Kashan was worried for his family and his disease. He wants to be healthy and fit to support his family, his eyes are too sad to have some hope for his future and there is valid reason for that.

Kashan has stage one Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and after just four chemotherapy cycles, his disease has been relapsed. Family is in shock and confusion. Grandmother has lost courage and strength. She is unable to decide about Kashan’s treatment. She has no funds to even travel from Sargodha to Lahore. She says, “No one even lend me any money now.” Medications and treatment are free of charge, they most of time get food while staying in hospital. Even then money is needed to travel, to buy any mediation not provided by hospital or any other unforeseen needs. 

Old woman’s eyes have tears all the time, she is at the verge abandoning treatment. The situation is quite devastating. Both of the patient and his grandmother are hopeless. May Allah bless them with courage to face the trial and may Allah help them to pass through it successfully. Aamenn 



Let’s pray for the early and complete recovery of Kashan, may he recover soon and able to fulfil his dreams. Aameen. May his parents be able to smoothly complete his treatment. 

Lots of prayers for Kashan and his family. May all the sick children recover soon, and their diseases never come back and may they live normal, healthy life again. Aameen

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity

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Blog Post # 03 by Rukh Yusuf