Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 122
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.
Alia’s first tumor was diagnosed on the Fourth of July, just after her second birthday. Though it was not easy to bear the news and get on the feet again for parents, but they decided for her treatment.
Family had to leave their hometown to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Alia’s family regularly took her to Children’s Hospital Lahore every week to treat the two-year-old for Rhabdomyosarcoma.
By Allah’s grace and her family’s and health care professionals’ dedication by age three, she was a survivor.
She started having a normal childhood with her due education and everything. But ten years later - right before Eid - Alia was diagnosed with cancer again. It was more shocking for her parents. This news meant, her first year as a teenager would be consumed by hospital visits, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
“Her case, was very rare with few similar cases,” told her mother “A lot of treatments were doctors’ best guesses — not proven cures.”
She had to leave her studies again, getting back to hospital and bearing chemotherapy was another horror sight.
She lost her hair, most painful thing in a teen life. She had effects on her stomach and the mucositis that made it hard for her to eat.
Brave girl continued to have her treatment, following all chemotherapy, no matter how she felt during all this. Her parents never lost hope and once again managed to complete her course religiously.
Her mother told, in January 2022, celebrating that Alia had now been cancer-free for two years.
"The most challenging thing is trying to get back to a normal life. It seems like every time we plan something, we end up having to cancel because we need to go to the hospital or see a specialist,” said mother.
“Don't get me wrong: I am so thankful to still have her in my life, but I wish there was a way to treat cancer that doesn't destroy the rest of the body.” Alia’s mother said.
Please join me in praying for health and recovery of Alia. May she be healthy always. Let's also pray for her parents who have fought tirelessly for her. 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
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