Warriors and Survivors - 135

 Warriors and Survivors - Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 135 

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.  

 

Zeeshan appeared to be a healthy, very happy, contented baby. When he was ten months old, he began to take less feed, needed to be fed more often, and didn’t appear to enjoy solids. The parents weren’t overly concerned.  

One morning when his mother was changing his dress, she noticed a lump protruding from under his ribcage when he was lying down. It felt very big, and it was hard and solid. 

She talked to a doctor on phone and later visited him within few hours. The doctor didn’t seem overly concerned either, but advised to take him to Children hospital over the next few days. 

She got an appointment for the following morning, and thus began of the worst time of their lives. 

The mother told that she remembered sitting in the waiting room with Zeeshan asleep. He looked so healthy and contented. It would be nothing, she thought. 

The doctor in outpatient clinic examined him and referred him immediately to Oncology unit as he wanted a scan done and blood taken. He didn’t alarm the family too much, but he was persistent and serious. 

They spent the afternoon at the hospital, while Zeeshan had an ultrasound scan, CT scan and numerous blood tests; it was very distressing for parents. They informed them in the evening that their baby boy had cancer – but they didn’t yet know what type and how serious it was. 

“Babies don’t get cancer! There must be a mistake,” the mother thought.  

Zeeshan was transferred to a bed in Oncology unit. Both parents and Zeeshan spent next week in  oncology Ward whilst the oncology team did further tests, a biopsy of the lump, and inserted his central line, he had an MRI scan and another CT scan. 

Zeeshan at only ten months of age went through so much that week but was still the happy baby boy who was loved. The parents were missing their other two children terribly and it was a very difficult time for children too. Luckily, they had grandparents to help as much as they could. 

In August 2023, he was diagnosed with High Risk hepatoblastoma – a very rare tumor in his liver. 

Only one in a million children develops this disease and this poor little soul was one of them. 

High Risk was not good as it meant the tumor had spread, it was 12cm wide and was squashing most of his abdomen, including his stomach, which answered why he wasn’t eating very well. The tumor was so big, it was inoperable at that time. 

Zeeshan endured three rounds of toxic chemotherapy for three months, followed by major surgery lasting six hours to remove the tumor once it was small enough for them to remove safely. 

He has to go for further chemotherapy now to ensure that no cancer was left inside him. 

He still has regular follow-ups and will continue to do so for years to come.   

He is having a high-risk disease which is scary for the whole family. Though he is under treatment and the parents are doing everything they are capable of, every passing second is horrible for them thinking a ten month old baby has a high-risk disease... 

Prayers for Zeeshan’s recovery and smooth life ahead. Many prayers for his 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.