Warriors and Survivors - 99

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 99

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. 

Last January, as he started sixth grade, Abdul Rafay’s neck became swollen and lumpy. It was so pronounced that several friends at school asked what was wrong. His parents took Abdul Rafay, who was only 8 at that time, to a local doctor, who prescribed symptomatically.

In the next few months, Abdul Rafay’s parents, become increasingly concerned due to increasing lumps. They took him to The Children’s Hospital Lahore.

After examining Abdul Rafay’s neck, Dr. said he was concerned about the swelling in the lymph nodes. He wanted them to see an oncologist.

In a couple of days, the child was seen by oncologist, and he prescribed some tests after thorough examination and history. After chest X-rays and other tests, Doctor told the family he would recommend lymph-node biopsy. One possibility, doctor told them, was lymphoma, and the only way to get a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma is biopsy.

Two days later, Abdul Rafay was admitted to hospital for surgery. Doctor removed three lymph nodes and sent them to pathologists for evaluation. After a week, the family received the biopsy report. It was the hardest day of the family; Abdul Rafay was diagnosed with cancer: Hodgkin lymphoma.

The parents remember that time as incredibly scary and painful. “You feel incredibly alone on the day that you get the diagnosis,” mother recalls. “We didn't understand his illness or what paths this could take us down.”

After a couple of weeks, they began chemotherapy. Abdul Rafay received the chemo as an outpatient at Children hospital initially, then he had to be admitted in the hospital off and on whenever he had some serious concerns or infection. Five chemotherapy cycles passed in six months like this. 

It was a difficult time. Abdul Rafay was not able to attend school frequently but kept up with his schoolwork. He was admitted to hospital’s oncology unit several times for close monitoring when he became ill. Through it all, Abdul Rafay was so down, and weak and he forgot to smile even but stood up for his treatment and always cooperated for his treatment. He also stayed on-point as a caring elder brother to four siblings. He maintained that even when he was at his sickest.

One of his chemotherapy drugs, doxorubicin, is red and causes tears and urine to turn red. Abdul Rafay wondered why the drug is red. The nurses introduced him to see the pharmacist(me), who tailors chemotherapy doses for each patient. I explained that the drug is red because it is derived from a bacterium, and it is this organism that is responsible for producing the red pigment. Abdul Rafay was fascinated. Though the work of pharmacists is of utmost importance to their patients, often the two hardly meet. Abdul Rafay began stopping back to see me during his visits. We explained each drug given to him during treatment and why it is prescribed for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Abdul Rafay was getting better and now it was his time to tests for remission, but to the surprise, he was in relapse. It was scariest moment. Doctors discussed his case in meeting and decided to treat him as per his current labs. 

Abdul Rafay is under treatment again; he is hopeful that he will be cured soon. Let’s pray that he recovers soon, and his disease never comes back. Aameen

Let’s pray for the early and complete recovery of Abdul Rafay, may he recover soon and able to see the world and his dreams come true again, Aameen. May her mother be able to see her child healthy and thriving again. 

Lots of prayers for Abdul Rafay 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