Warriors and Survivors - 149

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 149

 

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. 

Essa is not an ordinary child; he is a warrior battling a fierce adversary known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). At the tender age of nine, his life took a drastic turn when the diagnosis was made. Essa's world crumbled around him as he faced the harsh reality of his illness. Gone were the carefree days of playground laughter and fun. Instead, his days are now filled with hospital visits, painful treatments, and endless needles piercing his delicate skin.

Despite the physical agony, it was the emotional toll that weighed heavily on Essa's young heart. He watched as his parents' smiles faded into worried frowns, their eyes reflecting the fear and uncertainty. The once vibrant family became shrouded in sadness, as each passing day brought new challenges and setbacks.

But amidst the darkness, there was a glimmer of light that refused to be extinguished—the strength and resilience of a child determined to defy the disease. Essa refused to let leukemia define him; instead, he embraced each day with a courage.

Through the tears and the pain, Essa found solace in the simple joys of life—a gentle touch, a whispered word of encouragement, the warmth of a hug that spoke volumes more than words ever could. He discovered that true bravery was not the absence of fear, but the ability to rise above it, to find hope in the face of despair.

Yet, the road to recovery was fraught with obstacles, testing Essa's resolve at every turn. There were moments when he lost courage, when the weight of his burden threatened to crush him beneath its crushing weight. But each time he stumbled, he found the strength to pick himself up, to keep moving forward, fueled by a determination to reclaim the childhood that had been stolen from him. 

Essa's battle with leukemia continued, marked by moments of triumph and moments of despair. Yet, through it all, he remained steadfast in his belief that tomorrow would bring a brighter day, a day with bright light of success. 

And so, with every sunrise, Essa faced a new day with a brave heart and courage. For he knew that no matter how dark the night may seem, there was always hope to be found in the dawn of a new day—a hope that would carry him through even the darkest of storms.

Today, as Essa continues his fight against leukemia, his story serves as a reminder of the power of the human spirit, the resilience of the human heart, and the unyielding strength of hope. 

Let us pray and stand together in solidarity with Essa and all those who bravely battle childhood leukemia, offering our love, our support, and our unwavering belief that no matter how tough the road may be, there is always light at the end of the tunnel

Prayers for Essa’s successful treatment. Lots of prayers for his parents and 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.

Warriors and Survivors - 148

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 148

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. 

Soon after Anas’s fourth birthday, the parents began to notice significant bruising below the knees on their son, Anas. The parents were worried after they realized that Anas was more tired than usual, presenting signs of difficulty breathing, and struggling to complete everyday activities.

At that point, the parents decided to take Anas to the pediatrician, where blood tests determined their family's journey for the next several years. When parents were anxiously awaiting the blood test results, they received a call from their pediatrician advising them to take Anas to the emergency department at Children’s Hospital immediately. At that point, they began to realize this was something serious.

Anas’s parents can never forget the last week of school, when they picked him up and took him to the emergency department at Children’s Hospital for further testing, where more blood work, an x-ray and other imaging were performed. That day, they  received the news that no parent should ever have to hear – “your child has leukemia.”

Anas was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was immediately admitted and placed under the care of pediatric hematologist-oncologist at Children’s hospital, where he began his treatment plan.

The treatment outcomes for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Pakistan are poor. According to a research report, 13–23% of T-ALL cases have been reported in Pakistan in the last 10 years. 

Anas is on a long journey of his treatment now; it may take three or more years. No doubt it is long and tedious journey ever that a child and his family have to go on. We pray that Anas and family complete this treatment smoothly and successfully.

Prayers for Anas’s successful treatment. Lots of prayers for his parents and 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.

Warriors and Survivors -147

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 147

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. 

Tahir and his family were out in an indoor play area when his mother noticed Tahir was getting tired. The following day, Tahir had tiny red spots on his thighs. Mother was unsure but when she noticed spot weren’t going away so she took him to hospital. That evening his blood came back as abnormal. Family never thought this could happen. Later, Tahir was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. The news shocked the family. Tahir had only just turned two years old.

The first part of his two-year treatment plan was very intense, a lot of different chemotherapy. However, Tahir was doing well. Since start of the treatment, Tahir has reacted well to most of the chemotherapy he has been on. 

The only time which was unexpected was when Tahir lost the use of his legs. He had to be carried everywhere which was horrible to see. After a few months of physiotherapy and having his lower legs in casts, Tahir eventually learnt how to walk again. But not just walking, running everywhere he goes

In March of 2023, Tahir entered the maintenance stage where they could start living new normal family life. Tahir has gone back to nursery, making new friends. He has been incredible during this very difficult time, and he really is a superhero. The first-time family went home after the diagnosis was like a bad dream. Starting new normal was and still is extremely scary. The maintenance stage does come with its downsides and family still is going into hospital when Tahir gets a fever, which is every few months and can be rather frustrating. However, every day he wakes up with a smile and has so much energy.

Tahir is still under treatment, and he needs lots of support and prayers to get over this.  

Prayers for Tahir’s healthy life always. Lots of prayers for his parents and 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.

Warriors and Survivors -146

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 146

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. 

Parents couldn’t imagine her young daughter who appeared happy and healthy not making it to her first day of school or even her next birthday.

So when they learned their little girl’s blood test during a routine exam indicated an alarmingly high white blood cell count, their initial reaction was, “Kids – babies – don’t get cancer.” 

Maryam was only 18 months old. She looked a little pale. Mother assumed she probably only had a virus. But Maryam’s pediatrician suspected cancer and immediately referred her to Children’s Cancer hospital for further evaluation and diagnosis.

Investigations confirmed the parents’ greatest fear: Maryam had leukemia. It was very aggressive. Treatment needed to begin right away.

Two-and-a-half years of treatment was planned. doctors believed that Maryam would eventually be a healthy girl starting kindergarten. Family went into fight mode immediately. 

Maryam’s form of childhood cancer – acute lymphoblastic leukemia, known as ALL – is the most common childhood cancer. Treatment for ALL has a high success rate. 

ALL is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphoblasts, an immature form of T or B lymphocytes (cells that are supposed to help fight infection). 

The leukemia cells do not work like normal lymphocytes and are not able to defend against infection very well. Also, as the number of leukemia cells increases in the blood and bone marrow, less room is available for healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets to be made. This may lead to infection, anemia and easy bleeding.

ALL usually becomes worse quickly if not treated. “Maryam could have died within weeks if she hadn’t been diagnosed when she was. Family was so thankful. They asked a lot of questions to doctors, but they had trust in Allah. 

Within hours of Maryam’s diagnosis, journey to wellness had begun. The first year of her treatment was especially difficult, sometimes filled with daily injections of medicine, weeks of hospitalization, months-long stretches of chemotherapy, and periodic bone marrow procedures at hospital.

While Maryam doesn’t remember much about those tough days, her parents and medical team were impressed with her resilience and attitude. Maryam is just a great kid; she doesn’t complain about anything. She’s always smiling and goes with the flow.

She is tolerating well with the treatment so far and lots of prayers for her complete recovery. 

Due to improved cancer therapies and supportive care, an overwhelming majority of childhood cancer patients survive. However, the same treatments that cure cancer patients may put them at risk for long-term health problems. The survivorship program serves this vulnerable population by providing them needed education, support and treatment.

Prayers for Maryam’s healthy life always. 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.