Warriors and Survivors - 138

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 138

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. 

Here is another story of one more angle and his family suffering with this chronic disease and related miseries.

It’s about Ahmad Raza, a ten-year-old boy who was enjoying his life like a normal kid, happy and contented when he started having intermittent fever. His fever increased gradually along with vomiting and pain in his abdomen. 

Thinking it’s a seasonal viral infection, his parents consulted the local GP. The physician administered symptomatic treatment and advised blood tests. Seeing Ahmad Raza’s CBC, he was referred to hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. The parents first took him to general hospital, where his BMB was done and later he was referred to Children’s hospital Lahore on suspicion of blood cancer.

Here at Children Hospital, Ahmad Raza was diagnosed as patient of ALL, it was a life changing moment when the family got the news about their child being a cancer patient. His mother was silent for days after having this news. 

Ahmad Raza is on anticancer therapy, he is having UKALL regimen B protocol and doing well so far. Life is not as it used to be before this cancer news. The family is taking it bravely and surprisingly Ahmad  has also proved his strength. But the disease he is having is cruel and unpredictable. Ahmad and his family need lots of strength to go through these difficult times. 

The treatment duration is long, and chemotherapy is hard for a ten-year-old child who is travelling from a different city to have his treatment. Ahmad has four siblings at home to be taken care of in a different city. This chronic disease makes many lives miserable. We pray and hope this treatment continue to be light and effective for Ahmad Raza and his family. 

Prayers for Ahmad’s complete recovery and smooth life ahead. The poor child is fighting the hard battle. 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.