Warriors and Survivors - 123

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 123

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. 

Wajdan, 7, loves playing video games. He zips around on his kid’s scooter — his mother, jokes he’s “a little maniac on it.” But this sweet boy has been through a great deal in his such a young life.

When Wajdan was just 6.5 years old, he had abdominal pain off and on.  Mother said: “I thought it was just a child’s excuse.” But later his pain was persistent.  Mother took him to hospital and the doctor felt Wajdan’s belly and noticed his liver was enlarged. A heel prick test indicated low hemoglobin.

Wajdan and his parents headed to a local hospital, where a blood test showed the boy’s platelet count were very high. They were referred to Children’s Hospital Lahore.

We think it’s cancer…’

At hospital, an ultrasound followed by CT scan revealed a mass on Wajdan’s liver. “They told us, ‘We think it’s cancer,’” mother recalls. “I can still remember those exact words. They were scary, but I didn’t cry. I found strength I didn’t know I had that day.”

Wajdan was admitted to the oncology unit. A biopsy confirmed it was High risk, metastatic hepatoblastoma, the most common malignant (cancerous) liver tumor in early childhood.

During the next two months, Wajdan underwent two rounds of chemotherapy.  

A new challenge

Wajdan had to face a new challenge now, doctors have referred him for liver transplant in Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute.  Wajdan has been discharged from hospital after two cycles of chemotherapy and now he will come back for other cycles after some days. 

But the transplant is the only option that can save Wajdan’s life. His parents are silent and Wajdan being 7 years old does not know what the transplant will be and what he will have to go through. 

The family belongs to Peshawar, they are an educated family and following their kid’s treatment plan religiously. But still, they have a long way to go. Liver transplant for a seven year old sounds heavy. 

Lets do special prayers for Wajdan’s smooth and successful liver transplant procedure. May they find and match and all sincere prayers for his successful surgery. Aameen.

Please join me in praying for health and recovery of Wajdan. May he recover soon. Let's also pray for his parents who have to struggle for his transplant. 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