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.