Warriors and Survivors - 129

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 129

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. 

Cancer like chronic disease is troublesome wherever the patient is but it becomes worse when you have to travel to another country for the treatment, no matter what the reason may be, whether its treatment facility not available or if available, the patient is unable to avail that.

Joma Gul is 12 years old poor child from Kabul who has migrated from Afghanistan with her family for her treatment in Children’s hospital Lahore. Joma Gul is very cute Afghani child who was doing well 10 months ago. Then she developed a swelling on the right side of her neck below the ear. The swelling increased in size gradually and she had intermittent fever with weight loos. Though Joma had no pain in the swelling, nor there was any kind of discharge from the area, but her fever and weight loss along with this swollen neck was something serious.

The parents travelled to Peshawar for her treatment, and the physician in Peshawar referred her to The Children’s Hospital Lahore for diagnosis and treatment. Along with other diagnostic tests, biopsy was done, and little beautiful child and her parents got the worst ever news that she was suffering with Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cancer of nose and pharynx). 

Her treatment was planned, discussed with the family and Joma had her first chemotherapy in early September this year. A long way to go living in another country and leaving behind rest of the family and kids back home is not an easy task. But both the family and child are determined to defeat the cancer and doing whatever they can for the health of their child. 

Joma is in grade six and a bright kid, but now she has her long treatment ahead which may not allow her to continue her education for at least next couple of years. But she is willing to study during treatment at her own. 

Though the treatment course is long and cumbersome but the family’s determination to beat the cancer seems strong and we pray that Allah grant them strength and courage to actually defeat this horrible disease in a distant land. Aameen 

Prayers for Joma’s smooth treatment and smooth recovery. Many prayers for her parents who are going through a very difficult time.  

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. Aameen.