Warriors and Survivors - 143

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 143

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. 

Sania is only ten years old with the biggest tragedy for any child of her age. Couple of months ago, she started having abdominal pain. Then, one day Sania woke up struggling to breathe and her abdomen was swollen. The pain gradually increased with abdominal distension. Her parents realized something was seriously wrong with Sania, so they took their beloved daughter for through checkup. Upon initial checkup, The GP sent her to A&E, where a chest X-ray revealed a large mass. She was then sent for a CT scan, which showed she almost certainly had some kind of cancer in her abdomen.

She was referred to oncology unit and there the family got the worst news of their life i.e., Sania had cancer. 

She was admitted and began a high dose of steroids. A biopsy was performed. The doctors thought it was probably lymphoma, perhaps thymoma and a small chance it was a mediastinal germ cell tumor. It was a germ cell tumor. The biopsy only found germinoma, but later on, the blood reports would show it was a mixed tumor.

Yes, the ten years old girl was suffering with germ cell tumor (GCT). With time, the tumor increased in size and so was her abdomen. For a girl of her age, it was an unbearable emotional trauma along with all the suffering of getting sick and being admitted in hospital.

It’s been two months now that Sania’s treatment has started, and she is doing well so far. She still has to undergo surgery after chemotherapy and it’s a long way to go. 

She had one round of Etoposide and Carboplatin chemotherapy, then four rounds of BEP. In March 2024 she has to undergo surgery to remove the tumor. 

Her parents are very brave, and they are determined for the complete treatment of their daughter. 

Prayers for Sania’s treatment success and complete recovery. Lots of prayers for her parents and her whole family who are fighting this battle together.  

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.