Warriors and Survivors - 132

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 132

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. 

“Doing the cancer walk with your child is not all roses… it’s hard to stay positive and look at the upside” said Wania’s father. 

When she was only six years old, the life that Wania knew suddenly changed. She was now facing a world of hospitals, needles, and seemingly endless doses of medication that make her feel sick.

Wania had been complaining of tummy upsets and aches and pains for several weeks, but everyone thought it was just growing pains. Later, an ultrasound picked up the real cause – a tumor the size of a fist near her left kidney. Her official diagnosis was Stage 4 neuroblastoma.

“The cancer was all through her body. It was in her skull, her jaw, her spine, her legs and her bone marrow also. No wonder she felt sick” said her father with tears in his eyes.

The parents weren’t prepared for how quickly Wania would deteriorate. Their sunny, sweet girl was being ‘eaten up’ by this terrible illness rapidly. Two weeks after being admitted to Hospital, the pain in her legs was so bad she couldn’t walk. Wania’s treatment began immediately with seven rounds of chemotherapy, as well as a nine-hour surgery to remove most of the tumor and her left kidney. During the next few months the family was by Wania’s side as she underwent chemotherapy.

Her parents were standby all the time for their daughter. They were awake in an instant in the middle of the night to help their daughter as she endured the side-effects of her treatment.

Mother said sadly, “It was like having a newborn baby again – the nappy changes, the sleeplessness, the bad dream”

Wania’s appetite was completely destroyed by the cancer and the medication, so she had to be tube fed. The constant demands of Wania’s medical regime, the emotional strain and the day-to day cares of life took their toll on everyone. Her father took extended leave from work, while the mother took hold of hospital stay. 

Life was very different; it was all about survival. The parents would do anything they needed to do to help their precious daughter get better.

Children with cancer have an all-consuming passion for life and Wania was no exception. After two years, finally treatment stopped, and Wania was able to head back to school.

Unfortunately, not long after completing treatment, Wania relapsed just after six months. Over the next few months, despite intensive treatment, Wania experienced relapse, as her cancer became more aggressive and resistant to conventional therapies. 

After another couple of months, Wania sadly passed away surrounded by her loving family. She is another addition to the children in heaven.  Whenever a child dies of cancer, it makes me recall all the children I know who have passed away due to cancer

Prayers for Wania’s smooth life ahead. 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.