Warriors and Survivors - 121

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 121

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. 

A loving and generous boy, Abdul always put the needs of others ahead of his own. When diagnosed with cancer at 12 years of age, he responded with courage and positivity, inspiring all those around him.

Abdul’s mother described him as ‘a gentle giant’, a nurturing boy who often took on the role of protector. A confident and friendly child and he was loved by all. When he started high school, Abdul was keen to be involved in school games. 

It was this busy schedule that made his mother think stress was to blame when Abdul began to experience headaches and vomiting in late 2020. But when he became dehydrated and started to lose weight, his parents decided to take him to hospital. The next morning, an MRI was done which showed up a brain tumor.

“We were like, "what? He has anxiety, he’s just got stress." I honestly couldn’t believe the diagnosis.” Said his mother.

Abdul was rushed to Children’s Hospital, where the family had an agonising wait while more tests were done. Then came the heartbreaking diagnosis: a brain cancer called anaplastic astrocytoma Grade III. The cancer was rare, inoperable and terminal.

Abdul underwent an operation to drain some of the fluid from his brain, and soon after began a grueling treatment schedule, with radiation treatment given every day for six weeks. Despite suffering ongoing nausea, a series of seizures, and a range of other horrific side effects, he never once complained.

“He was vomiting a lot and must have felt disgusting, but he didn’t complain once. He was so strong.” Said his mother. 

The pressure in Abdul’s brain had to be relieved regularly and a shunt was put in his head to allow for drainage. When he could, he went to school for a few hours at a time and played with friends. Once radiotherapy was over, six months of chemotherapy began. Abdul faced each challenge with incredible bravery, while his parents kept their hope alive. 

As Abdul’s cancer grew, he was progressively stripped of his functions. First his eyesight went, then the entire right side of his body. Soon he couldn’t walk on his own, became incontinent and was in constant pain. On 17 November 2022, Abdul went into palliative care. Just over a week later, and less than 12 months after his diagnosis, he passed away.

“This is the hardest part for us, living without our son. If we can save just one life, that would be awesome.” Said his father.

His parents are determined to do all they can to prevent other families from having to endure such unbearable loss. They want to act for brain cancer children.

“Children and their families shouldn’t have to go through this. We have to do all we can to stop this happening to anyone else.” Abdul’s mother

Please join me in praying for the hereafter journey of Abdul. May he be exalted by Allah. Let's also pray for his parents to have the strength and fortitude to bear this huge loss. Ameen.

Lots of prayers for all sick children to recover quickly and never experience their illnesses again. May they lead happy and healthy lives once more. Ameen.

Note: Names have been changed to protect identity