Warriors and Survivors - 154

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 154

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. 

Meet Sarah, a vibrant and courageous 12-year-old who has been facing a tough challenge. Last year, Sarah was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Her journey has been filled with ups and downs, but through it all, she has remained a shining example of resilience and strength.

Sarah's treatment plan involved several phases Sarah underwent surgery to remove the tumor from her leg. The surgery was a success, and the tumor was completely removed. But she had to be on wheelchair for few months. 

After surgery, Sarah began chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. She had to undergo several rounds of chemo, which lasted for several months. Chemotherapy for a 12 year old weak girl is a lot to bear but the poor girl had no option. Sometimes you don’t have any other option except to be brave. 

Sarah also underwent radiation therapy to target any remaining cancer cells in her leg. There was another mountain to reach i.e., Sarah had to undergo physical therapy to regain strength and mobility in her leg.

Throughout her treatment, Sarah faced many challenges, including hair loss, fatigue, nausea, pain and missing out on activities with friends and family. But despite these challenges, Sarah remained positive and determined. 

Through her journey, Sarah learned many valuable lessons, including the importance of staying positive and focused and the value of support from family and friends. The power of resilience and determination.  Today, Sarah is in remission and doing well. She is back to her normal activities, including playing soccer and spending time with friends and family. Her journey with osteosarcoma has taught her to appreciate life's little moments and to never take anything for granted.

Prayers for Sarah's  healthy life ahead. Lots of prayers for her parents and whole family who fought 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 -153

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 153

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. 

Amna was just 8 months old when she was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. After two operations and round after round of chemotherapy, she was finally declared cancer free. Today, she is a happy and healthy ten-year-old, with two very grateful parents. 

When Amna turned six months old, her parents were grateful for having a bright and bubbly baby girl, and everything was going fine. But one night, Amna was choking, and she couldn’t breathe. The parents rushed her straight to hospital.

An X-ray revealed that one of Amna’s lungs had collapsed and she had fluid on both lungs. The next morning, a CT scan showed a mass in her chest and abdomen. The parents weren’t sure what was happening. “I was looking down at Amna in her cot, tubes everywhere, and thinking: What does all this mean?” her mother said.

At the hospital, the medical team told parents that the mass in Amna’s body was likely to be neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumor found in babies. 

Later, the news was bad: Amna had stage 4 neuroblastoma that had spread to her bones.

Amna’s tumor was too large to operate on, so high-dose chemotherapy began immediately. The family settled into a new routine: one week of chemotherapy, two weeks off. The parents had no choice except to wait, and trust Allah that the treatment was working for their precious daughter.

After first round of chemotherapy, a scan revealed that the tumor had reduced in size by 50%. Chemotherapy continued, but after six more rounds, there was no further progress.

With Amna now eleven months old, the doctors decided to operate. They managed to remove the tumor from her chest.  Amna spent her first birthday in isolation. After four more rounds of chemotherapy and a second operation, the tumor seemed to have gone.

The next two years were hard, with anxiety continuing through regular check-ups and the constant fear of relapse. 

Today, Amna is a happy and healthy ten-year-old girl. She loves to play with friends. Amna says when she grows up, she wants to be a nurse who will take care of sick children. 

Prayers for Amna's  healthy life ahead. Lots of prayers for her parents and whole family who fought 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 - 152

Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 152

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. 

In a small town of Abbotabad between hills and lush greenery, there lived a nine-year-old girl named Sarah. She was known for her infectious laughter, boundless energy, and a shiny smile that could brighten her family.

But behind that cheerful face there is a story of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination that would inspire all who knew her. Sarah's journey with Hodgkin lymphoma began unexpectedly, that affected her carefree childhood.

It was a seemingly ordinary day when she complained of persistent fatigue and unexplained weight loss since many days. Concerned, her parents took her to the doctor, hoping for a quick remedy to her mysterious ailments. However, what followed was a series of medical tests, consultations, and a diagnosis that shook their world.  

Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare form of cancer that typically affects the lymphatic system, had invaded Sarah's young body. Suddenly, their lives were consumed by hospital visits, chemotherapy sessions, and the uncertainty of future.  For Sarah, the reality of battling a life-threatening illness at such a tender age was incomprehensible. 

The days blurred into weeks, and the weeks into months as Sarah underwent grueling rounds of chemotherapy. The treatment took its toll, leaving her weak, nauseous, and robbed of her vibrant vitality. There were moments of despair when she questioned why this was happening to her, longing for the carefree days of playing with friends and laughter with family. But in the midst of adversity, Sarah discovered a strength within herself that she never knew existed.

Throughout her treatment, Sarah's zest for life remained undimmed. Despite the physical toll of chemotherapy, she found moments of joy in the simplest of pleasures – playing with her favorite toys, sharing laughter with loved ones, and cherishing the beauty of each day. And then, one fateful day, came the news they had been longing for – Sarah was declared cancer-free. The battle had been won, but the journey was far from over. With the same courage and resilience that had carried her through the darkest of times, Sarah embraced her newfound freedom, seizing each moment with gratitude and joy. 

Today, Sarah stands as a symbol of hope and resilience, a living testament to the strength of the human spirit. Her journey serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is always room for hope, and that miracles do happen, often in the most unexpected of ways. But perhaps the most profound lesson of all lies in the wisdom of a 9-year-old girl who taught us that true courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it head-on, armed with faith, hope, and love.  

Prayers for Sarah's  healthy life ahead. Lots of prayers for her parents and whole family who fought 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 -151

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 151

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. 

In the quiet city of Okara, a 6-year-old boy named Jamshaid was living the carefree life of a typical young boy. With a smile that could light up the darkest room and a heart full of dreams, he spent his days playing with friends and exploring the small world around him. 

But one day, Jamshaid 's parents noticed something was amiss. Their once energetic and playful son seemed unusually tired and pale. Bruises appeared on his skin without explanation, and even the slightest bump seemed to cause him immense pain. Concerned, they took him to physician, hoping for answers.

The diagnosis was devastating: Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a rare and aggressive form of blood cancer. Suddenly, Jamshaid's and his family’s carefree days of childhood were replaced with hospital visits, treatments, and uncertainty. 

Jamshaid's parents, overwhelmed with fear and disbelief, struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis. But amidst the chaos and heartache, they found strength in their love for their son and a determination to fight with this disease.

The treatment journey was grueling. Jamshaid  underwent rounds of intensive chemotherapy to target the cancerous cells. The treatments took a toll on his young body, leaving him weak, nauseous, and bald. But through it all, Jamshaid  remained resilient, facing each obstacle with a bravery far beyond his young age.

As the time passed, Jamshaid's family held onto hope and belief that their son would emerge victorious in his battle against cancer. They found solace in the support of friends, family, and the medical team caring for Jamshaid, who worked passionately to ensure his comfort and well-being.

But the road to recovery was full of challenges and hazards. Jamshaid 's  weakened immune system left him vulnerable to infections, and the risk of complications.  Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there were moments of joy and triumph: the first signs of remission, the sound of Jamshaid 's  laughter filling the hospital room. As Jamshaid continues his fight against AML, his story serves as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. His courage inspires those around him to never lose hope, to cherish every moment, and believe that, together, we can overcome even the greatest of challenges. 

In the small city of Okara, a 6-year-old boy named Jamshaid 's  is teaching us all what it means to be truly brave, to face the unknown with courage, and to never give up hope. And as his story unfolds, it is reminder that in the midst of life's greatest trials, the strength of the human spirit will always prevail. 

Prayers for Jamshaid '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 -150

 Children Cancer Stories by Rukh Yusuf - Blog # 150

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. 

Pediatric Neuroblastoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that often affects children under the age of five. However, for 12-year-old Hassan, the journey to his diagnosis was not smooth, ultimately leading to the discovery of this life-altering condition. Despite the challenges he faced, Hassan's resilience and the unwavering support of his family and medical team have been instrumental in his courageous fight against this horrible disease. 

Hassan's journey began with a series of unexplained vomiting episodes, leaving his concerned parents searching for answers. Initially dismissed as gastritis, Hassan's symptoms persisted, prompting further investigation. A subsequent diagnosis of hemangioma provided temporary relief, but Hassan's symptoms persisted, signaling that something more sinister may be at play.

After enduring months of uncertainty and misdiagnosis, Hassan's medical team ordered a battery of tests to uncover the root cause of his symptoms. It was during this process that the unthinkable was revealed: Hassan was diagnosed with Pediatric Neuroblastoma, a cancer that originates in immature nerve cells and can manifest in various parts of the body, including the abdomen where Hassan's tumor was located.

The news of Hassan's diagnosis sent shockwaves through his family, but they remained steadfast in their determination to fight alongside him. Hassan's medical team swiftly developed a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to his specific needs. This plan included aggressive chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by surgery to remove it, and subsequent radiation therapy and immunotherapy to target any remaining cancer cells. 

Hassan's treatment journey was marked by numerous challenges and setbacks. The side effects of chemotherapy took a toll on his young body, leaving him weak and fatigued. Surgery presented its own risks and uncertainties, but Hassan faced each obstacle with unwavering courage and determination. Throughout it all, his family stood by his side, offering love, support, and encouragement every step of the way. 

Despite the hardships he has faced, Hassan remains a sign of hope and inspiration to all who know him. His positive attitude and unwavering spirit have served as a source of strength for his family and medical team alike. As Hassan continues to undergo treatment, his prognosis is promising, offering hope for a brighter future ahead.

Hassan's journey underscores the importance of raising awareness about Pediatric Neuroblastoma and the challenges faced by children and families affected by this disease. By sharing his story, we can shed light on the realities of childhood cancer and advocate for increased funding for research, early detection, and improved treatment options. 

Hassan's journey is far from over, but he continues to face each day with courage, resilience, and unwavering determination. As he battles Pediatric Neuroblastoma, Hassan's story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of never losing hope in the face of adversity. As he continues on his journey towards recovery, Hassan's story will inspire countless others to never give up, no matter the challenges they may face. 

Prayers for Hassan’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.