Warriors and Survivors -139

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 139

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. 

Even without knowing Jamal, one can see from his picture only that he is a fighter. It’s not because he wants to be, it’s because he has to be.

Only at 7 years of age, Jamal was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a very rare type of cancerous tumor, affecting about 200 kids of age 10 to 20, mostly males. It grows in the bones or the soft tissues surrounding the bones. The tumor began in Jamal’s back, pressing his lumbar spine and the nerves controlling his left leg, causing radiating pain and temporary paralysis. 

Jamal had emergency surgery to remove the tumor, then his first round of chemotherapy was started to treat the disease. His mother told that “Jamal spent more than 100 days as an inpatient at Children’s hospital.” 

After first cycle of chemotherapy, Jamal had radiation therapy as an outpatient. The goal was to be sure all of the cancer cells in the original tumor were gone. And for a while, they were. 

Jamal was doing well for a while, and he started school again. But about two years after he finished treatment, Jamal started waking up with terrible headaches. Few tests confirmed the cancer was back, appearing at the cervical spine and in his ribs. It was devastating for Jamal and family, but poor kid decided to fight again and so did his parents. 

Jamal was again on chemotherapy for round two which was followed by radiation. “It seems like treatment has become routine for Jamal,” mother said. 

Today, Jamal is on a new combination of chemotherapy. He balances treatment with reading and spending time with family.

Jamal and his family continue to choose optimism, generosity and love throughout treatment, He is an inspiring young man, and he should be given every possible fighting chance.

Prayers for Jamal’s complete recovery and smooth life ahead. Many prayers for his parents who had been 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.