Warriors and Survivors -104

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 104 

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.

Ali was a healthy baby who should have been learning to walk and talk, but at just 15-months he began exhibiting seizure-like symptoms. It was a great concern for educated parents. Ali’s both parents know the importance of age-related baby’s milestones. Ali’s seizures forced them to go to hospital. After initial consultations here and there, they approached the Children’s Hospital finally.

In the hospital, it took a while to receive a diagnosis, and it wasn’t until they transferred the family to the oncology unit of children’s hospital that things became clearer, a biopsy led to Ali being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor, ‘Anaplastic Astrocytoma grade 3 glioma’ located in his brain stem. 

Ali’s mom said, “Ali was given less than a year to live - a devastating prognosis for a child who should have a full life ahead of him”.

Ali began intensive treatment and was hospitalized at least once a fortnight as he underwent few rounds of chemotherapy.  After five months the aggressive tumor had not diminished and had grown bigger. 

There were no options left for Ali until they were approached by the Children hospital neuro oncology team. After starting the program, a genetic mutation was identified, and this discovery helped doctors find a specific drug treatment i.e. Temozolomide, which aimed to target Ali’s precise genetic change.  

Two-year-old Ali began taking a medication. By the next MRI scan at the end of year the tumor had stopped growing and had shrunk.

Today Ali continues to do well, he still attends hospital for monthly check-ups, but his tumor is stable and he is improving from a clinical perspective. Although he lives with side-effects as a result of his initial treatments, he has started talking and walking and is willing and trying to do new things, he is attempting to walk, and ride his tricycle. 

“Ali has come a long way; we have had many difficult conversations with his medical team when he wasn’t expected to survive; to see him today enjoying life as any young child fills my heart with joy. We know his recovery is unprecedented and we are so grateful he is here”, said her mother.

We see miracles all around us, sincere efforts can lead to miracles.

Let’s pray for the early and complete recovery of Ali, may he fully recovers soon and is able to smile again. Aameen. May his parents be able to smoothly complete his treatment.

Lots of prayers for Ali 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