Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 116
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.
“This all started 5 months ago. Everything was going well, then suddenly she developed swelling in her neck. We thought it was nothing but mumps.” ~Fatima’s mother.
But who knew that this swelling, which sounded normal, was going to change the course of the lives of Fatima and her family. Fatima is the youngest of four sisters. They belong to Sialkot City and her father is a factory worker.
Five months ago, Fatima's mother took her to a doctor nearby complaining of her constant fever and tonsillitis. After visiting various doctors and not finding relief from the ailment, the doctors referred them to The Children's Hospital, suspecting that this case was not within their expertise and that Fatima needed special medical attention.
They arrived at the hospital, where samples for tests were taken and sent to SKCMH&RC. "The moment the lab reports came back... I have no words to explain the feelings I had that time." ~ says her mother with tearful eyes. It was blood cancer. They were admitted to the oncology unit.
She had her bone marrow transplant, followed by 3 sessions of chemo. Doctors say the treatment course will last for a total of 2.5 years. The 4th session of chemo will start after Eid. They still have a long journey ahead of them on these beds with other cancer patients.
After her 3 chemo sessions, they went back home. However, they returned to the hospital with a complaint of severe jaundice and have been admitted for the past 10 days. Her condition is much better now, and we are hopeful that she will completely recover from leukemia one day and be able to go back home and never have to come back here.
Of course, it was disturbing that the mother is with one daughter, leaving the other three daughters alone at home for days, not knowing when she will return. Grandmother took care of other daughters.
Explaining that a single case of a cancer patient can disturb the lives of the whole family, she said, "We go home, but we can hardly spend a day or two there before we have to run back to the hospital because Fatima's condition worsens again."
“Apart from all these miseries, the satisfaction from the treatment compensates for all this suffering. Because the only thing we yearn for is health.” ~ Mother
It was really a tough journey, but looking at other patients in worse conditions, we felt supported knowing that we were not alone in this misery. Seeing other patients getting discharged gives us hope that my Fatima will also get discharged with full health one day. She hopes to see Fatima going to school with her other sisters and returning to a normal life.
Please join me in praying for the complete and safe recovery of Fatima. May she fully recover and remain in good health. Let's also pray for her parents to have a happy and easy time with him. Amen.
Lots of prayers for Fatima 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
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