Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 113
I am Rukh Yusuf, Clinical Pharmacist, also specialized in Total Parenteral Nutrition and Bone Marrow Transplant. I have been working in the 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.
Aira was only two and a half years when she started having off-and-on fever. In just a few days she also developed abdominal swelling with abdominal pain. Five days later she had bleeding from her mouth, It was like an emergency situation for the family and they rushed to the emergency of their community hospital.
On admission, she had a fever, cough, and low platelets. She was symptomatically treated in the emergency and referred to the oncology department for further workup. In the next two days, she was diagnosed with pre-B ALL (Acute lymphocytic Leukemia).
Her parents were counseled and with a heavy heart, they agreed to start treatment for their small pretty sparrow. “When we were given the news... it was like a knife wound to my gut, it was horrible,” said her mother.
Without having any other options, they had to go for chemotherapy for that little spirit who just had landed in this world two years ago.
Aira had chemotherapy, designed to treat her cancer and give her a bit more time. The disease was controlled, and Aira was well for a while. Her parents made the most of this precious extra time, often taking Aira to her favorite park where she would slide down a slide over and over again, screaming with delight. And yet, her mother says she believes Aira knew she was not well, that something bad is happening to her.
Her treatment continued for a few months, and she was doing well, later she developed meningoencephalitis and had to remain admitted in the hospital for several weeks. It was a horrible time for both parents, they used to believe they may not lose their child. Aira was most of the time sleepy or semi-unconscious due to medicines and the disease.
Aira fought the disease valiantly for 18 months. She is now three and a half. She still has to undergo treatment and seeing her condition there is no certainty that she will survive the treatment and disease both.
Please join me in praying for the complete and safe recovery of Aira. May she fully recover and remain in good health. Let's also pray for her parents to have a happy and easy time with her. Amen.
Lots of prayers for Aira and her family, and for all sick children to recover quickly and never experience their illnesses again. May they lead happy and healthy lives once more. Amen.
Note: Names have been changed to protect identity
No comments:
Post a Comment