Warriors and Survivors - 136

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 136

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. 

When Jawad was just 9 months old, his pediatrician took one look at him sitting in mother’s lap and asked how long his belly had been distended. His mother was shocked: “I thought it was just a baby potbelly.” The doctor felt Jawad’s belly and noticed his liver was enlarged. A heel prick test indicated low hemoglobin.

The parents and Jawad, headed to a local hospital, where a blood test showed the baby’s platelet count was very high. They were referred to Children’s Hospital.

At Children’s Hospital, an ultrasound revealed a mass on Jawad’s liver. “They told me that they thought it was cancer.  Mother recalls. “I can still remember those exact words. They were scary, but I didn’t cry. I found strength I didn’t how I had that day.”

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

During the next six months, Jawad underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, followed by surgery to remove part of his liver. Surgeons performed the complicated procedure — the tumor was attached to a vein. 

He lost over 70 percent of his liver, but he avoided a liver transplant, which was a huge thing.  After two more rounds of chemotherapy, in the summer of 2020, Jawad was considered in remission.

Unfortunately, all was not well — and now the bad news was for parents. The mother was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor, a rare tumor possibly associated with a genetic condition. 

Jawad enjoyed six years of remission, which meant he began attending hospital follow up visits and clinics for kids who are at least five years post-diagnosis and at least two years after the completion of all cancer therapy.

In the summer of 2021, however, he went from survivor back to patient after developing a stomach bug two weeks before school started. It went away for about a week, and he made it to his first day of school, but the vomiting started again the next day. 

Jawad did not usually get headaches, and he hardly complained, but he was in tears and gripping his head. They came on after a long day playing outside in the heat with friends. His mother thought it was dehydration, but somewhere in her head, warning bells were starting to go off.

At the local ER, an X-ray of his chest and abdomen showed nothing. But something was clearly wrong. Finally, one of his pediatricians said enough was enough and told them to see a gastroenterologist at hospital. Jawad was drained and feeling pretty weak. The doctor they saw was troubled by  description of his headaches. 

An MRI showed a mass in his brain. 

Jawad was admitted again and was in surgery the next day.  Head of Neurosurgery removed the tumor completely. A spinal tap showed Jawad’s spinal fluid was free of tumor cells, so he was listed as standard risk. 

He still has to go for six weeks of radiation of his brain and spinal column followed. His nine rounds of chemotherapy needs to be done. 

Prayers for Jawads’s recovery and smooth life ahead. The poor child is fighting the battle again. 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.